Westminstenders: The gall of the french

[RedToothBrush]

We are full steam ahead with European Parliamentary Elections! Something that seemed unthinkable a few weeks ago.

May still remains adament that they will not happen, but the die has been cast.

May is off to beg Macron and Merkel to back an extension but the French are already stating they want assurances we won't screw thing up for everyone else.

May still is pushing for a deal with Corbyn and a Not a compromise.

Still there is no sign of a breakthrough either for an extension nor over a cross party deal. It drags on, but at least no one has mentioned the WA for ten minutes.

We might yet be in Europe for another Eurovision. Psychologically this feels important.

The ERG are not happy.

The U.K. has already been the country who has voted NO in more or less any proposals at the EP in the last 10 years

That may well be the case but given most decisions require majority voting, that means other countries vote with us to say no, or we don't get our way.

And we have fewer infraction proceedings against us than other countries.

Until the referendum it was a fallacy that we were not "good Europeans". We actually tend to comply with EU law which is why we object at the law making stage.

The rebate wasn't unfair, we are still one of the biggest net contributors. And I don't think it was a bad idea to opt out of Schengen or the euro and we are not on our own in either category eg Sweden and Denmark do not use the euro. Although if we hadn't leaving the EU would not have been an option.

We do have the best deal in the EU. Yet we want to throw it away. Except "we" don't. Just some of us.

DG "could" = they could be arrested / killed / exiled, but they'd have a much better chance than any other institutution we have or could build

That's because the armed services - who would be essential in enforcing a dictatorship - are pretty loyal to the monarch, whereas they use photos of politicians as shooting practice

Debenhams could be history soon ....

Comrade Andrew Lilico seeks the overthrow of the current monarchy.

@andrew_lilico
Our constitution needs some equivalent of the constitutional monarchy that would intervene in such situations to protect democracy & constitutional procedure against rapacious politicians. If our current monarchy cannot perform the task we will require something new.

@andrew_lilico
It was naive of the monarchy to imagine that not intervening was the uncontroversial option here. I'm afraid it simply demonstrates to supporters of constitutional monarchy that we do not have one any more. When we finally win, the monarchy will have to be abolished, alas.

I've taken a self imposed break from Brexit for a couple of days. It's been lovely, and I've realised that nobody in my life is talking about Brexit - aside from one serious conversation about what to do if head lice treatment became unavailable in the event of No Deal.

As I understand it, TM has started the legislative process for EP elections and is seeking an extension tomorrow, but still hasn't come up with an explanation for what she will do with the extension other than "keep talking to Labour". I get that the EU don't particularly want No Deal, but surely at some point the constant prevaricating will end up being more costly to them than No Deal. If their businesses are as ready as they'll ever be then why would the grant another "let's see what happens next" extension?

An awful lot of otoh vs otoh in the latest Peston piece. His analysis does make sense though. It could still either be No Deal or Revoke.
The idea that the EU could dictate the terms of a long extension without risking No Deal or Revoke to allow time for No Deal or Revoke to disrupt always seemed fanciful. Short extension still looks like them and TM still crossing their fingers in hopes of getting WA through - adding a PV wouldn't achieve this as has same effects as long extension thus still looks like wishing thinking all round.

My one critique of RP would be that I don't think it tenable that UK would hold Euro elections with sole intention of cancelling the Result.

Going back to settled status. What happens to stay at home parents?

That's because the armed services - who would be essential in enforcing a dictatorship - are pretty loyal to the monarch, whereas they use photos of politicians as shooting practice

This is maybe where I am odd, as a Briton ? Or maybe not (DW is the same). Basically I know fuck all about military matters. Because the only connections I might have are my DGF (died when I was 2) who was a RSM in REME during the war. That's it. DF did his (Italian) National Service leaving him with a very low opinion of matters military. To be honest I could struggle identifying which service a person was with, let along rank, regiment or brigade.

I suspect my late DM - and her generation - would have been much more au fait with uniforms, insignia, ranks etc. It would hardly be surprising given the military mobilisation of the UK for 6 years during WW2.

Now personally, I regard this as a triumph of the post war era that civilian life is so entrenched military service is a niche profession. But it does leave me (and most Britons) ignorant of such things.

Anyway my point was I was once told by an ex-soldier that one of the safeguards against military dictatorship in Britain was that some regiments were "for parliament" and some "for Queen". I have no idea if that's true, and it's never really excised me enough to bother investigating.

I do know that thanks to DFs registering my birth with the consulate I had to get a form confirming my exemption from Italian national service as non resident. Good job too, as there was a warrant out for my (and DBs) arrest for not attending when we turned 18.

I've taken a self imposed break from Brexit for a couple of days. It's been lovely, and I've realised that nobody in my life is talking about Brexit

I think that realisation is driving a lot of the direction of travel at the moment ... Farages flop has pretty much confirmed that far more people are likely to be happy about revoking than "take to the streets" (after 'spoons shuts).

Not leaving on 29th after being repeatedly told we were seems to have quelled rather than fuelled emotions. Maybe the national characteristic of the Brit - as world weary and cynical - means that deep in the deepest of hearts most people somehow knew it wasn't going to happen. Much the same as Boaty McBoatface didn't happen.

Guardian now suggesting extension until end of the year

I would love to see a long extension (couple of years?) to give time for a public enquiry into the unlawful shenanigans of the Leave campaign. Doubtful it’ll happen that way though.

Can’t see a short extension being agreed since TM can’t say what will change in that timeframe.
Bring on the EP elections

The EU insist on EP elections being held, which deals with an unexpected Revoke
No Deal would almost certainly happen anyway, without an extension, so they don't lose there

wrt the UK being a wrecker after Revoke;

that would have been a much more worrying threat before Brexit made the Uk a laughing stock and sent its soft power down the toilet

The UK would have to spend decades rebuilding its soft power, both within the EU and around the world
Continuing to be a tantrumming toddler would just make most of the EU and the world write it off as a functioning adult state

The UK would have great trouble persuading other countries to follow it on a course of wrecking action, because they won't want to look like idiots too

The UK can use its veto to be a pain on the remaining issues for which there is a veto, provided it is willing to pay the price of rEU just moving closer together

Maybe the UK could form a fascist alliance with Hungary & any elected fascist MEPs - but Labour won't side with fascists

The whole idea of wrecking came from Tories and would only be carried out by a Tory govt

I agree that if you think there won't be a Labour government for the next decade, then Tories are stupid and pig-headed enough to try this,
but if the UK dives into isolation and international insignificance, this will be of ever less importance within the EU

Scotland - or at least my friendship group - must be really atypical as most of my friends talk about Brexit almost all the time

I even noticed at the rugby club 2 weeks ago, when I came out of a committee meeting, that a group of parents (whose kids were still out training) were all clustered around one mum's phone so that they could watch May's tirade address to the nation when she blamed the meaty parliamentarians for not letting her get her way

Even on Saturday when we had my birthday tea and my dad, a couple of friends, SIL and her dh were over, we still ended up talking about Brexit saddos But we're useless for the purposes of a PV, as we all voted Remain and would vote Remain again (we also all voted Yes). The only difference is ds who couldn't vote in either referendum and is now 18 and looking forward to having a say (although he wouldn't sign the Revoke petition as he felt but apologised for that the best/quickest chance for Scottish Independence is if we leave, so he's conflicted - I have said to him that if he wants to be a diplomat, sometimes he'll need to see the bigger/longer term picture )

I would love to see a long extension (couple of years?) to give time for a public enquiry into the unlawful shenanigans

Have you and others signed the petition for the enquiry then? Sadly,it wasn't doing very well the last time I looked.

Bring on the EP elections

Oh yes !

And if there's a God in Heaven, or a Devil in Hell, I'll give them my soul if Farage loses his seat (his deposit too would be the cherry on the cake).

Looking forward to working out the best voting strategy to send a clear Remain message.

It does rather raise the issue of what exactly Tory and Labour candidates will be promoting as a reason to vote for them ? After all, I doubt they're going to stand on a "boo hiss to the EU platform" ? Which would reflect back to their national policies ?

There's also the question of funding ... if Conservatives and Labour are as cash-strapped as they claim, these last minute elections must be a bit of a nuisance ...

yamayo I think SAHM parents will be fine as long as they provide extra documents with proof of residence like bills etc. I’m lucky as the time I’ve been a SAHM I’ve also been studying so can print off a letter from uni showing ive been attending.

Under the old system, I think we were meant to have ‘comprehensive health insurance’ only no one knew about it! So they’ve scrapped that. Just in case though I am making DH get the cheap health insurance through work so all our bases are covered.

@lonelyplanetmum; yes signed and shared but it doesn’t seem to have the momentum of the other petition

Scotland - or at least my friendship group - must be really atypical as most of my friends talk about Brexit almost all the time

I'm in England ... I think Scotland has a unique take on Brexit since it was buttfucked after the IndyRef [hmm. Also NI has good reason to be Brexit-sensitive. (It's only the English that started the whole sad business that get to have the luxury of worrying about other things now ....)

Odd isn't it. Surely an enquiry is a proper response given all the pretty convincing allegations.

DG I have mixed a lot in both Tory party & military circles, due to my late Mum and her membership, also to my late dad being career military

There has always been a problem that those who volunteer into the military - quitedifferent to a conscript army - tend to have authoritarian values
and officers - who would probably lead any coup - are even more likely than ordinary squaddies to be rightwing

Squaddies seem more attracted to populism than even current Toryism - we saw that crowd of squaddies eager to have their photo taken with Yaxley-Lennon
Noone seemed to refuse and stay back,

The bias against any Labour PM - even Blair - has always been shocking among both the Tory members and retired military with whom I have had a lot of contact
but it is far more openly expressed now than among my dad's generation

Brexit has far worsened the paranoia that authoritarians feel about "enemies"

The language of "traitor" and "Marxist", demonising Labour and the judiciary make it sound like a patriotic duty to "take back control"

I can't stand Corbyn, but if he ever became PM - especially with a working majority - I would genuinely fear both for his safety and for the risk of a coup.

It would be so easy for SAHPs not to have any evidence

Bills could all be in their partners' name as the breadwinner, child benefit may have not been claimed if the breadwinner earns too much (even though it should've been, at least till the child is 12 to maintain NI contributions ).

That leaves registration with GP practices or bank statements (which may or may not be considered sufficient ). Can't think of anything else for "evidence".

Any republican tendancies I might have had have been suppressed now. I'd far rather have a hereditary monarch meeting and greeting heads of state than any candidate who might get the public vote - or stand for election as president for a larf.
Danny Dyer?
Boris?
Boaty McBoatface?

FFS, not again !

Daniel Boffey@DanielBoffey

"I have no information to that effect", says Michel Barnier of the Andrea Leadsom inspired nonsense about a five year limit on the Irish backstop.

< 🤦🏻‍♀️ - poor Barnier's forehead must be red raw by now >

Apparently what they are trying to agree

Dave Clarkk@DaveClark*_AFP

EU leaders: The UK must elect a new batch of MEPs for parliament to be legal and credible

Also EU leaders: British MEPs must not vote on things like budgets or commission appointments

A question for the experts ....

Is there still a chance of crash out no deal on Friday?

as I REALLY REALLY want to go somewhere warm for Easter
but cannot risk booking it if there is any chance of travel disruption.

Re SETTLED STATUS
One of the Windrush folks was turned down despite having been a cleaner at the Home Office for decades.
She had her P60's and her NI record stacked up
but
PAYE is not proof that you are present in the UK
was the argument given