Westminstenders: Compromise is a difficult word

[RedToothBrush]

Today the HoC had a water leak. It closed the house for the day. This isn't without consequence; any hope for the opportunity of Indicative Votes on Monday had cold water poured on it.

Meanwhile talks between talks between May and Corbyn were about as productive as you'd imagine. But apparently they had nice tea and biscuits.

The Cooper Bill, the last minute lock on May getting a extension to prevent no deal, has been in the Lords today. I say it's been in the Lords but Tories have filibuster Ed on procedure for over 6 hours to prevent the chance of it passing the house. Tory whips are timetabled until 6am but the opposition benches have vowed to go to 7.30am. So far the votes to ruin the procedure have failed comfortably so the opposition have the number. Its just a question of time.

The trouble is with the Lords not sitting tomorrow that means the bill won't get passed until Monday and there are fears it won't get royal assent until Tuesday.

The bill doesn't prevent accidental no deal but it would be a barrier to May.

It therefore looks like May's gambit with the EU to get an extension is to say her plan is ongoing talks with Labour for a cross party solution. It won't wash.

No deal looks more and more likely.

pmk

Most political commentators seem to think no deal is less likely now, not more.

“if you can afford it get the packers and movers”.

Yes- although very stupidly we hired a van but we were much younger then.

Then first night in - fish and chips for supper and cava because you won't find a corkscrew...

Put the corkscrew in the 'useful' box with the kettle etc if you'll need it!

I've not read any commentators today to see what's being predicted.

Pmk

Pmk

Justin Tomlinson MP as Minister of State for Disabled People, Health & Work.

Justin Tomlinson MP @JustinTomlinson
Very proud to have been asked to become the @DWP Minister of State for Disabled People, Health & Work. This area has been a key focus for me & I look forward to continuing to work with charities, stakeholders and those helping to make a real difference in such a vital area

Let me fix that:
This area has been a key focus for me & I look forward to continuing to vote against anything that will enable disable people having a reasonable quality of life.
www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24870/justin_tomlinson/north_swindon/divisions?policy=6673

DD won her mandatory consideration and has gone from no points back to the support group.

I've only ever moved house with help from family, super jealous of those who have movers! Always have a couple of days overlap of tenancy though so there's a bit more time.

I've had an evening away from BBC parliament and it feels strange to be out of the loop. Infuriating convo with DM though "the MPs will just pass the deal next week, we already have the extension until 22nd of May, and then Brexit will finally be over". TBH, she's normally pretty sceptical about MPs ability to do anything so I think it might just be fear.

Just clicked the link, let me summarise, Justin Tomlinson can bite my arse

Sums him up:

"Justin Tomlinson consistently voted against paying higher benefits over longer periods for those unable to work due to illness or disability"

So a natural Tory choice as Minister of State for Disabled People, Health & Work

Just watched the Beeb's 'Brexit: the Inside Story'. Well, what did I expect? There was no real analysis of what the 'mess' constantly referred to actually means. It was unbelievably craven because if you don't know much about the consequences of brexit, and you just watch this, you'll be none the wiser. To make matters worse, the end of the doc only shows footage from the leave means leave demonstration. No mention of the petition, no mention of the biggest march in history- just shots of 'MPs= traitors' banners and mournful music indicating the people were betrayed. Then cut to Big Ben at 11:01 on 29th March and the sad conclusion we've not left. Cheer up Laura for God's Sake! That mess is the worst idea in history. Come on, say it now because you've said it before! Just have some balls BBC and analyse the situation and its implications rather than confuse impartiality with lack of intellectual courage whilst quietly relocating some of your commercial operations to the Netherlands.

www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-04-03/bbc-is-said-to-trigger-brexit-plan-to-keep-broadcasting-to-eu

I'm annoyed.

I've been skimming the division data in the House of Lords
www.parliament.uk/business/publications/business-papers/lords/lords-divisions/
Bishops and Hereditaries and serial party changers
fascinating

Interesting view from Ireland !

(Um, I think even Leo would admit it was due mostly to the EU gorilla backing him up)

www.irishtimes.com/opinion/stephen-collins-conservatives-finally-crack-in-varadkar-s-game-of-chicken-1.3848204?

Leo Varadkar has played a nerve-racking game of chicken with the British Conservative Party for the past few months and this week they finally cracked.

To make matters worse, the end of the doc only shows footage from the leave means leave demonstration. No mention of the petition, no mention of the biggest march in history

What shabby journalism is that.

And yet all the eager leavers including FiL I know vent about the BBC being a biased remain organisation. Must try and cultivate flowers techniques.

*Juncker's speech on Brexit at the EP plenary session yesterday

Not sounding optimistic about avoiding No Deal

http://europa.eu/rapid/press-releaseSPEECH-19-19700_en.htm

On the EU side, we stand ready to launch the talks and negotiations on the future partnership as soon as the Withdrawal Agreement is signed.
Before the ink is dry.^
The Commission's negotiating team is in place.
Michel Barnier, our Chief Negotiator, is ready.
I would expect the same level of readiness on the United Kingdom side < um, I wouldn't >

Whether this happens or not depends on the United Kingdom.
The European Council gave the United Kingdom the time and the space to decide.

Yet I believe that a “no deal” at midnight on the 12 April is now a very likely scenario.
It is not the outcome I want.
But it is an outcome for which I have made sure the European Union is ready.

We have been preparing since December 2017.
We have always known that the logic of Article 50 makes a “no-deal” the default outcome. < some of our lot didn't >
We have long been aware of the balance of power in the House of Commons.

The HoL is a strange and perverse beast. However, it seems to function better than the HoC.

I think Europe is a little surprised to discover that TM only started speaking to the leader of the opposition after the deadline had passed.

.

Insider view of dilapidated HoC

7 billion quid needed to renovate it

Kate McCann@KateEMcCann

People always seem surprised to hear Parliament really is close to falling down.

Rain used to pour in through the windows in the Telegraph’s lobby office because they don’t close.

The basement floods on a regular basis (it’s also where all the wiring runs).

There aren’t enough fire doors
so firemen have to patrol the whole building turning off computers at night to reduce the risks.

A number of colleagues have got stuck in lifts,
which despite the best efforts of staff regularly break down.

The loos block on a daily basis
and the water pressure often drops meaning they can’t be used for hours at a time. < eek >

There are real fears about asbestos, hidden electrical faults, fire safety and access.

I could go on.
I love Parliament, it’s an amazing place to work, but it really is falling apart.
And now the actual chamber can’t sit because of a leak.

You can read more about the programme to try and fix the issues here.
I think I’m right in saying (@ayestotheright) that MPs still need to approve the budget?:
(link: https://restorationandrenewal.parliament.uk/)
restorationandrenewal.parliament.uk
< 7 billion quid !! ?? >

(And please stop tweeting me to say we should tear it down, it’s a beautiful building which despite everything above should be loved and restored, not destroyed)

I forgot the mice! Oh the mice.
A poor government staffer literally jumped out of their chair this week when a mouse ran over their foot in the middle of a briefing. < eeeeek 🐭 >
It is such a normal occurrence that nobody else in the room moved.

They also have not been looking after the wood. Everytime I watch HoC on TV I just want to scream, polish the wood. I honestly don't think it has been redone since I did it (in the eighties).

We have always known that the logic of Article 50 makes a “no-deal” the default outcome

We should never have triggered it with no domestically agreed game plan but as I'm sure we discussed before we can't pin that tail exclusively on the TM donkey. ( Creds to whoever said that on the other thread.)

With the benefit of hindsight TM (and the gov) were protected by the Court's decision of necessity for a Parliamentary vote to trigger Article 50. This diluted the responsibility which would otherwise have been unilateral.

In the same way the current talks with JC dilute TMs solo responsibility.

I still think there a chance the Teflon Torys could come out of this more unscathed than you'd think.

Have been busy with work obv but wanted to check in.
Rather than there being any actual (Legislative) block to No Deal, commentators are more sanguine because of the leaked Sedwill advice to Cabinet.

The pertinent bit is the warning of the devastating effect it will have on the Union.
It’s finally convinced May to resolutely set her face against ND (and we all know how hard it is to alter the May course!)

She can’t bear the idea of being remembered as the PM who broke Britain apparently.

I was in the HoC the other day and it does have a very odd ‘last days of Rome’ feel about it. There are mousetraps balanced every six feet along the panelling and some of the corridors smell strongly of sewage. Refit is desperately needed.

Question Time is going to be interesting...

Place marking and definitely recommend professional movers.

The Lords said they would sit all night, and they are content www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/3f8960d1-c522-4f7c-9b50-e054516b170a they have sent it to committee and adjourned.