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.

Yes, probably several of us with a crush on Tusk 😍

EU citizens voting in the UK looks fecking complicated and likely to change.
www.europarl.europa.eu/unitedkingdom/en/your-meps/european_elections.html#shadowbox/1/

Careful, Maud or you'll be another one starting a thread confessing your pash for JRM or Boris 🤮

Random - the question arose because if we had left on 29 March, EU citizens wouldn't have been entitled to vote

Unfortunately - and I can assure you I hate myself for this - I find myself slightly fancying him

Francois?

It's the thought of PM Boris trying to wreck things that is of most concern,not so much the MEPs, who are likely to include fewer Kippers

But aren't there threats of mass resignations from the Conservative Party if they elect that buffoon? I don't think they'll risk him as PM: he's too unreliable.

How very dare you switzy

If you don't like your MP/MEP/councillor then stand. or campaign for one you like.

We are so lucky to be able to have votes. As women, and for so many other reasons.

Use it or lose it.

On LBC earlier, they mentioned it might be a bit of a scramble to get enough candidates, hoping that some of l the Westminstenders might consider doing so. Chevvy

I refuse to accept that anybody could fancy Francois.

The real complication over EP elections is that other countries were allocated some of our MEPs
- in fact
this is one of the disadvantages for the EU in giving us an extension past 22 May

if we participate, then the allocations revert to the old system - BUT only until we Brexit, if we do

If we Brexit after this, other countries would be entitled to have those seats back - but won't have the MEPs for them.

It has been suggested that those other countries elect "MEPs in waiting" who would only tale their seats if we left
However, they might have to put their lives on hold for 1-2 years

AND
what happens if the UK Revokes, so that those MEPs never take their seat at all ?
the PR system used in some countries - iirc Ireland for e.g. - could deliver different results depending on how many seats are available per region

In conclusion, yet another example of the bloody nuisance the Uk is being and the problems it is causing even without trying

@pretty - never rtft and hadn’t thought of that.

It was ridiculous that they never got to vote in EU referendum, especially when they have made the uk their home.

Anyone interested in jobs working for MPs ....

Tara Jane O'Reilly@tarajaneoreilly

Calling everyone who wants to see more women in Westminster...

WE NOW HAVE A WEBSITE!
link: http://www.womeninwestminster.com

1. sign up and send us your cvs etc

1. get involved and help out (men this goes for you too)

1. Share with your friends

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Jon Snow has just been interviewing an amazing 92 year old woman, former switchboard operator at the communications headquarters for the D-Day landings, who's been awarded the Legion d’honneur. She is not impressed by Brexit.

Marie Scott

"Anyone" ? As in EU - non UK people ??

Yep, random
E27 especially are even more affected by Brexit than other UK residents / citizens - but had no vote on the decision.

Neither did Uk expats who have been away more than 15 years, but might be forced to return home if they lose their health insurance,
e.g. state pensioners if the UK govt no longer participates in the EU scheme of members refunding their pensioners' healthcare costs within the EU

My last message was in response to BCF.

Very good point BigChoc

My EP constituency (Dublin) is supposed to be getting an extra seat due to Brexit, which would presumably lead to an increase in candidates running in the election. If it goes back to three seats instead of four, I imagine the smaller parties and independents (who may not have run had they known) will lose out.

"anyone" as in women - imo, E27 expats would bring very useful insight for MPs

Brexit has made me learn more about the EU than ever before and appreciate it even more

Totally agree. I tried to share the first part of this sentiment with Giles Fraser on twitter a few months back... his reply: "haven't we just". Goes to show how we hear and read stuff that confirms our perspective

I am not long in and fed and caught up on this thread - can anyone manage a TL;DR on the HoC today? Not sure I've the energy to go and read.

BCF

I know I was annoyed when I never got to vote in Scottish independence ref because i no longer live there.

Although the repercussions in the EU ref were a lot greater.

One of the reasons there should never have been a ref

I have had a Brexit-lite couple of days out of necessity and I have to say I feel better for it.
Now returning to the fray I am starting to feel absurdly optimistic, with no real evidence for it.
Maybe there is only so much Brexanxiety one can take?

Do we know if EP citizens have actually been removed from the register for local and EP elections

I can help answer this. The local authority keeps a single electoral register, but EU citizens have a marker against their name. This means that the polling Station staff can be told whether or not to issue those people with a ballot paper, and the decision could in theory be made pretty much at the last minute.

I wonder whether the local elections will be moved from 2nd May to 23rd May so that they are on the same day as the European elections? . Normally the local authorities like to combine elections to save money, but it might be too late now. It may also mean some schools having to close to be used as polling stations twice in one month.

Thanks for the info, kitty
I was hoping the system was as simple as that

So no E27 voting rights would be removed unless Brexit actually happens before the local and / or EP elections

www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/boris-johnsons-remainer-father-stanley-14271728.amp?__twitter_impression=true
Boris Johnson's remainer father Stanley has applied to stand in EU elections
Stanley Johnson is a former MEP - and he says if we're going to stay in long enough, we should "make the most of it"