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.

More worms are turning -

In addition to Nick Ferrari, Peter Oborne, and now I can add a family member. One of only 2 Leave voters I know personally. Just heard the good news from another relative. Apparently, being a lawyer, he read the WA in its entirety and concluded it was such a poor deal that left us tied to the EU we may as well Remain.

Great, but he could have figured that out that version of Brexit other than No Deal would do the same, before the vote.

Autumn are you a masochist? Did you

not think that no deal would be bad enough without having to eat tinned sprouts too?!

Also if they do give an extension and it turns out to be a long one with a whole list of conditions that will totally humiliate us ( not that will worry TM as humiliated as she already is) or are so restrictive TM could say no to them because it be too hard to comply to them

She can't. Parliament has ruled no-deal can't happen.

I'm wondering what's caused the mood music change. Could it be that for all her desire to get Brexit across the finishing line, she's finally realised/been told/had it explained to her that the collateral damage to the British constitution might prove to be a loaded gun for the next government ... returning to the point that the danger of a power grab now is what the next government could do with it.

Yes, there are all sort of tricks that could be played ... but ultimately we are now where we are because of parliament. Usurping that could be a quick fix now that ushers in a nightmare next year ?

I didn't know tinned sprouts were a thing! Eat a full tin and you could probably generate enough wind power to keep a smallholding going for a day and a night.

Fry them up with bacon and they are delicious. As is everything with bacon. Apart from chocolate.

Do with times for important happenings? I'm a bit lost...

In addition to Nick Ferrari, Peter Oborne, and now I can add a family member. One of only 2 Leave voters I know personally. Just heard the good news from another relative.

Every day past 29th March 2019 ...

Peter Oborne was on the Coffee House Spectator podcast yesterday. Interesting as he spoke to Fraser Nelson who was remain until around the referendum.

During the ref campaign, only Redwood advocated No Deal;
the others just promised we could have a deal - "easiest in history" - with all the things we wanted, wthout any of the things we didn't want

No Deal only became the "real" Brexit, after Brexiters realised that they would not get the benefits of Single Market trade and agencies, unless they also agreed to the responsibilities of FOM, ECJ

It was a rapid reverse ferret, that they were allowed to get away with

Well just watched brief interview as TM arrived for summit on sky. Seems she only wants a short extension so she well might be disappointed.

The issue is the framework of the future relationship, defined in the PD,
especially needing a "Boris-proof" lock, so that he / the ERG can't go for the minimum Canada+ withNI-only backstop.

The WA itself is NOT shit:

It is the inevitable consequence of Brexit - which would always be inferior to Remain

It is the EXIT agreement, dealing with past & present obligations,
plus following essential EU regs after Brexit, e.g. intellectual property rights, data protection

it contains all the EU's general conditions before starting negotiations with any 3rd country,
plus the unique necessity of a backstop for the UK.

That's why the WA won't changed, even if the UK goes for a much closer SM+ future relationship - the EU is not being awkward here, just protecting itself, especially its SM:

Even if there was great trust on both sides, a trade deal that does not yet exist cannot legally be specified in the WA,
because any such deal requires years of negotiation, with probable changes of govt in both the UK and E27.

But I thought there were loads of holes in Cooper letwin Bill which could mean law could be overturned DGR?

A leaving country always becomes a 3rd country,
even if it becomes a more privileged 3rd country after a future trade deal

Well just watched brief interview as TM arrived for summit on sky. Seems she only wants a short extension so she well might be disappointed.

She will get what she is given or it's no-deal.

Meanwhile...

twitter.com/kirkkorner/status/1115950484827856896

Death threats over #Brexit - police and prosecutors failed to tell anyone about the charge, and the courts service failed to send the Monday's listing to the press. As a consequence, no reporters at his court hearing. #OpenJustice

Tinned Brussels sprouts not envy.

xebobfromUS, it took me a minute to figure out what on earth you were talking about! Fortunately I haven't had head lice in years - so I'm unlikely to need cows urine treatment. However, DNiece is catching them regularly (presumably from school) and passing them on to DSis so will mention it to her. The conclusion she came to was to try literally anything she could think of - including bleaching or shaving her beautifully dark and very long hair!

"Man pleads guilty to sending emails threatening seven MPs"

Only comment below that tweet blames Remain MPs

"Passions are runnng high-massive anger,pain and disappointment at the lies and betrayal of democracy by remain mps,dishonouring ref result and manifesros.

They have sown the wind and must reap the whirlwind. Sadly worse to come jmho"

But I thought there were loads of holes in Cooper letwin Bill which could mean law could be overturned DGR?

Probably. But remember lessons from history ... it's all very well using a massive land-grab of powers now to get what you want done. The problem is you have to leave them lying around for the next government. Who will use, and then misuse, and finally abuse them.

RIPA is a case in hand. Intended to ensure terrorists weren't sneaking around under our noses - ended up being used to work out who was putting their bins out the wrong day.

It's not that May can't fight - and maybe defeat - parliament. It's more a question of once that's been established, what would a Jeremy Corbyn Prime Minister do with the same power ?

It's all a question of balance - wherever you look. 52/48 was never ever going to do more than pivot on a see-saw. Parliament/government. Parties/members. Referendum/ continuing democracy.

Thanks Groovie. Betty did cheer me up briefly.

I just hate the fact that we will pay for these poor decisions for years and years. Both in money and loss of respect.

I got called a turd for being a remain voter. What is wrong with people atm?

sos, there were some changes to the Cooper-Letwin bill which made it a bit better. As I understand it, TM can freely accept any longer extension but must return the decision to parliament if she wants reject any extension in favour of No Deal.

Place marking from the hoverport (as you do)

@faisalislam
Process is this:

PM presents to EU27
PM leaves room
EU27 debate at dinner, June, Dec, or March 2020 & conditions.
Tusk asks PM if it’s acceptable, she agrees.
Tim Barrow writes confirming new date - becomes EU Council decision & EU Law
SI laid - changes UK law exit date, no vote

Some of the comments are quite funny.

Hoverport???

Have you gone into the future !!??

I've been told the village hall is being used as a polling station on 23rd May, so EU elections going ahead then?