Westminstenders: It couldn't get any worse... Until today

[RedToothBrush]

We are trapped in the tailspin of the end of the UK. Firmly headed downward and getting more and more frenzied and desperate.

Even the most sensible of types like David Allen Green have finally noticed that Brexit isn't about leaving the EU it's about the frenzied and wilful destruction of our state instutions and structure. The collapse of the civil service, of our justice system, our democratic institutions and social order. All in the name of rule Britannia, a warped sense of taking back control to preserve an ideal that never existed and an idea of sovereignity that simply was a fantasy.

We move ever closer to Johnson becoming Prime Minister and a life under President Trump.

Joy.

Ode to Joy really isn't that bad.

@NoWordForFluffy - no they didn't have the food standards we did BUT just a case study - NZ. 10-12years ago the commerce commission (powers to stop mergers and acquisitions) allowed an Australian corp to take over two major supermarket chains (it was contentious and in my opinion would have been within their powers to stop). Almost instantaneously it changed what was on offer within the majority of supermarkets. It dramatically changed quality and cost(groceries are really expensive in NZ) Yes you can still source the good stuff - but it takes work, and it is even more expensive.
Will I be able to afford that here - yes I will - but most of my friends won't (infact I can only think of maybe 1 who will be able to as well)and that's what distressed me. Brexit is going to make everyone in my circle poorer with less choice.

I know all about NZ as my BiL has lived out there for about 17 years now.

And I agree that if it goes the way we think it will that costs will rise on the quality produce. And we'll be forced to make choices as to what we do and don't think is worth the expense / hassle to buy.

But...I really do prefer to cross all bridges as they happen, rather than have a pessimistic viewpoint as otherwise my mental health will suffer. I'm being cautious, but clinging on to hope that somewhere, somehow, it won't be as hideous as predictions on here.

Well, bearing in mind how long trade deals take, we should at least have a new government before they're concluded which might turn the trade talk tide!

Charles Grant @CER_Grant
Today I spoke to 2 senior officials in BXL. The predominant view seems to be that a no deal Brexit is more likely than any kind of deal or a referendum - because the Tory party is hell-bent on crashing out. The EU sees itself as powerlesss to prevent this outcome. @CER_EU

{Well, bearing in mind how long trade deals take, we should at least have a new government before they're concluded which might turn the trade talk tide!}

That is being quietly ignored. With a 'crash out' defaulting to WTO 'base rate with no friends' tariffs happen from 1 November. New trade deals to try and reduce the tariffs might take a good 5 years or more.

But...I really do prefer to cross all bridges as they happen, rather than have a pessimistic viewpoint as otherwise my mental health will suffer.

I don't think it's too pessimistic to consider what the worst case scenario is, while hoping and working to ensure that it doesn't come to pass. You are then prepared for a range of outcomes.

Unlike our present Government who have gone from 'easiest deals in history' and 'they need us more than we need them', to wanting to crash out for the sake of crashing out.

I'm not ignoring it or deluded. But I prefer to remain cautiously guarded. It works for my mental health. Others can decide it's all going to be doom and gloom. It's just a different way of coping with the same thing. Which works to keep me sane!

I am normally pessimistic so that I can be pleasantly surprised by the worst not happening. Unfortunately, politics over the last three years hasn't really turn up any pleasant surprises - we keep plumbing new depths.

I listened to a bit of Farage on LBC last night (radio was on whilst in car).

His view seems to be that Johnson needs to call a general election. If he doesn’t Parliament will somehow block Brexit.

Would the Conservatives and the Brex party win a general election?

My dream is that Johnson calls the election and instantly Corbyn resigns as leader and someone sane takes over the Labour Party.

My dream is that Johnson calls a GE. The Brexit party does as well as UKIP did i.e. were dismal failures with the exception of Carswell. Johnson loses his seat in the process. A hung Parliament ensues again. In normal times the old PM is asked first to try to form a Government, but this time, the party is leaderless giving the Queen the problem of who to call. Corbyn might have a try but would probably fail. We might then get a sensible genuine cross party coalition and with any luck, Brexit would be binned, for the time being, but hopefully for the foreseeable future.

Well I may be deluded and impossibly optimistic but I still think Boris will do what's right for Boris and is talking a load of rubbish to get himself elected as PM, he needs those Tory no dealers to vote for him.

However, once in power, he will do what suits him. Given he only switched from being a remainer to spite Cameron, I think there's every chance that we will not crash out without a deal. He is not (completely) stupid. We will see. Don't give up hope yet.

www.theregister.co.uk/2019/07/17/brit_consumers_still_holding_off_on_buying_new_gear_until_that_brexit_thing_is_over_and_done_with/

The bad news bus kept on rolling in calendar Q2 as consumer PCs sold to retailers continued their decline. Business customers’ enthusiasm for pricier hardware did, however, keep tech wholesalers revenues afloat.

Distributors' sales-out figures were an improvement on the previous quarter, with an overall year-on-year drop for the UK of 0.9 per cent to 816,418 PCs compared to the 7 per cent y-o-y drop (to 538,000) seen in the first months of the year, but consumers are continuing to stay away.

Volumes for consumers fell 15.3 per cent to 265,161 machines while PCs aimed at businesses were up by 8 per cent to 551,257 units.

Businesses, at least according to channel stats wizards Context, are continuing to migrate off Windows 7 as well as eying the security features of newer hardware.

Consumers are, however, less bothered by the approaching demise of the veteran OS and cite the uncertainty around what might, or might not, happen when the UK makes its exit from the European Union as reason for not splashing the cash.

(contd)

{Queen the problem of who to call.}
Ghostbusters, the ghost of empires past.

My dream is that Johnson calls the election and instantly Corbyn resigns as leader and someone sane takes over the Labour Party

I think the LP will replace Corbyn as soon as an election is in the offing. As I've said before there's a honeymoon period when some one new comes along. So there's no point getting a new saviour appointed as their honeymoon will end in about 12 weeks. You have to go into an election with hopes fixed on the new star whilst he or she is still in ascendancy.

Although bizarrely Faragists seem to hold the faith far beyond the normal honeymoon period.

{Although bizarrely Faragists seem to hold the faith far beyond the normal honeymoon period.}

I saw something suggesting he has come too soon and is in his decendancy by a few percent.

But if they wait too long there won't be a new leader in place for a snap election. They just need to do it now.

I think the LP will replace Corbyn as soon as an election is in the offing

I really hope you are right lonely if he won’t go how do they make him go though?

peregrina I would be so happy if Boris lost his seat. It could really happen, fingers crossed.

This may have been posted already I don't remember seeing it but maybe I missed it.

She is really excellent at highlighting the role of social media in the bringing down of liberal democracy. So scary though!

www.ted.com/talks/carole_cadwalladr_facebook_s_role_in_brexit_and_the_threat_to_democracy/up-next

I don't have anything against Corbyn really, except his policy (whatever that is).

I can just see the Labour Party replacing Corbyn with someone who has the same policy (whatever that is) and carrying on to lose.

Thanks for the map route Hester

politicalwire.com/2019/07/17/boris-johnson-plans-early-election-to-hit-corbyn/

What are the logistics of replacing Corbyn - a membership vote. How long would that take? And what’s to stop the same thing happening where the membership votes for a left wing candidate? I can see a split happening.

Leadsom seems to think proroguing is a ‘well-established procedure’. This is scary.

mobile.twitter.com/theousherwood/status/1151397449837293569

I am sure that May held a GE to hit Corbyn and it backfired on her.

Although Corbyn has probably lost a lot of Momentum support from last time, the Tories have also lost a lot of moderate support to the LibDems.

Proroguing to call a GE is a well established procedure, so she's not wrong there. To prorogue for political expediency hasn't been tried since the 17th Century to my knowledge.

Just when you thought it was safe to come out....