Westminstenders: The Bill Cash Appreciation Society

[RedToothBrush]

We've had a new thread pretty much everyday for the last week or so, so I'm short on inspiration.

There haven't been too many new developments today. There have been two ministerial resignations. Both were ministers close to Boris Johnson.

We had a vote to add an extension if we still have no deal agreed at the end of next week to the Withdrawal Bill. May has said she will do this anyway; this would merely tie her hands. It passed by 5 votes. It now is fast tracked to the committee stage and third reading.

A business of the house amendment by Benn to secure a debate and Indicative Vote 3 next week failed after a speakers vote. Bercow followed convention and didn't create a majority where there was not one (though under Erskine May he is free to do the opposite at his discretion).

Corbyn has met May for talks which have been described as construction, though we have no further details though curiously Emily Thornberry put out a statement demanding a ref on whatever was decided which suggests Corbyn isn't keen on the idea. Rumours are of Schrodingers Customs Union: somehow being in a union but not a union. It can't be called a customs union. And Liam Fox has said Corbyn can't have his union. Though he may have a vested interest as he loses his job if Corbyn gets his way.

Oh and the Commons photocopier broke so no one knows what is currently supposed to be happening.

Otherwise it's been a quiet day, all things considered. Too quiet?

The dialysis story hit home here too.

Middle aged Dh was on dialysis for 7 years and finally got his transplant last October: hooray! But of course now relies on heavy doses of anti rejection drugs. If the new kidney fails (due to problems with supply or other reasons) he will be back on dialysis and requiring the same anti rejection drugs (as the transplanted would still be in place) and further different drugs to assist the dialysis.

He's healthy right now and we've been in love with the NHS even more over the last years. And really appreciate especially as it's so overstretched. And disgusted by those hell bent on risking delays in medicine/medical supplies for EVERYONE. And those hoping to destroy the NHS.

I receive ESA despite living overseas thanks to those peasky EU rules. It took 3 years for my claim to be processed.

If May requests an extension earlier than the bill specifies, no problem

afaik, the bill does not affect her going to the summit at all

The bill is merely a last ditch safety net which the EU could refuse to catch in case May considers reneging on asking for an extension

BigChoc, that's my understanding too.

RTB
I think its also to do with the utter failure of the Localism agenda
and being forced to implement the savagery of austerity.
County councillors I talk to are sick of it.

Parishes have no capping, but face hassle in the press if they try to do the right thing.
And many of the ageing rural parishes are Leave strongholds.

But these uncontested seats are for the next four years ......

So many vulnerable people, even on Westministenders, desperately worried about drugs that keep them or their loved ones alive & well.

Anyone thinking No Deal is better than compromising, needs to read these posts

I just found out that the Local Councillors in a neighbouring town have been in situ for over 20 years. There have not even been elections for 20 years as no one was interested in standing, and of course the incumbents weren't interested in standing down. All changing this year, where there are now 3 Wards to fight, that I know of.

My own Local Council hasn't been that bad, though we have quite a few new people standing as independents, too.

Bill not going past second reading today, they’ve just announced it.

BigChoc, I was just concerned because the bill would mean May has to debate length of extension in the HoC the day after RA is given which could interfere with the timetable. But as another pp has said, she’d probably just be fashionably late

I have total respect for anyone prepared to stand for any kind of parliament (particularly if they’re a reasonable and normal person!).

DH can’t home from work the other day and said “I think you should consider being an MP given how passionately you feel about it all.” It took me approximately 15 seconds to point out how impossible that would be for us as a family

Great article, read in full.
Honestly those advocating no deal are utterly irresponsible morons.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/04/no-deal-planning-operation-yellowhammer-brexit

My mother and her mates ran the Parish Council back home for >20 years. They were all elected unopposed. In fact, there were always a couple of vacant seats that they could never fill.

Spain already flexing its muscle over Gibraltar:

www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/apr/03/britons-will-need-no-visa-for-trips-of-up-to-90-days-in-eu-zone

Six British MEPs voted against the visa waiver deal for British citizens reached with EU ministers
because they objected to a footnote in the text that described Gibraltarar^ as a colony.*

< well, it is sort of a self-governing colony ! but it wants to stay that way >

The Gibraltar colony footnote was disliked by many EU diplomats,
but they decided not to stand against Spain, an EU member state, over a country that has chosen to quit the block.

Spain had insisted on the footnote, which describes Gibraltar as “colony of the British crown”

I'm surprised not more people stood tbh.

Lots of complaints about councillors and local expenditure on local fb pages etc but no actual action.

Most of the complaints are from leavers......

Heather Stewart
(@GuardianHeather)
NEW - hearing meeting of cabinet ministers in Downing St has broken up; and a letter is now being drafted to Labour, setting out the position after two days of talks.
Have been told it's likely to include the idea that a confirmatory referendum should be one option put to MPs.

Five Live has just reported that a letter is being drafted by number 10, and that TM will allow parliament to vote on a CV. Not confirmed. And not sure what else will be allowed or not.

Assuming this means no agreement between the parties but details sketchy.

Chevvy
Ah yes, lots of keyboard warriors, but they will not give up one evening a month to change things.
And so the sense of entitlement among the incumbents grows

So now we know...

SingingBabooskaBadly

I have been in receipt of DLA for many years. At the highest rate for both care and mobility. Last Nov I was told my 'lifetime award' was ending (it's for the life of the benefit, not the claimant). I applied for PIP. I was made to walk the length of an assessment centre, on my double crutches, to the very back room, whilst my assessor timed my stops very obviously on his watch. He then took me through the assessment process, explaining that 'some people can find some of the questions difficult - you can refuse if you wish. You can refuse physical tests if you wish'. I said I would participate in everything. The only question I gibbed at was being asked how often I changed my underwear, but I still answered. I was not asked to perform any physical tests. When I got my 'decision' it was full of inaccuracies and downright lies - apparently, I had 'shown the assessor how I plan journeys on my phone' (I hadn't as I can't do this, mental block!) and had 'refused any physical assessments' (untrue).
My local CAB said this guy was 'notorious' and that if I complained it was likely the award I had been given (50% of my previous DLA) would be cut, potentially to zero. As a single parent of children with disabilities, I couldn't afford that gamble.
Sorry for personal post, but this really resonated with me.

From that yellowhammer article songs posted:

"For Brexiteers ..... they’ll vote for anything that promises to stop them feeling foolish and humiliated."

imo that is a big element in the increased support for No Deal:

All the Leave promises have proved delusions, Brexit a national humiliation and defeat - but most Leavers can't admit that.

A deal, any deal, would make the capitulation too obvious,
so this is basically showing defiance and pretending Brexit is a war, to explain away the casualties & damage

What's a cv

StripeyChina I'm so sorry 💐
and so angry for you and the thousands like you that have been intimidated and cheated by this evil system

Confirmatory Vote. Confirmatory Referendum.

CV = Confirmation Vote ? (new name for PV)

Didn’t someone say in the week that a confirmatory vote was just passing the WA and THEN asking the public AFTERWARDS if they liked it??

Is that true or have I misunderstood?

Oh fucking so awful stripeychina and babooska such a degrading process.