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.

Keeping a dead baby for ransom has to be the lowest of the low

Not as bad as letting it live to 17 and then sending it in to be sexually exploited at the behest of the police though .... or is it ? There's probably a panel game here somewhere ..

Have I got atrocities for you !
Mock the weak (courtesy Stewart Lee)
Who gives a fuck who lies to you ?
The Unbelievable Truth (same title, different sort of unbelievable)

Whenever I think we have hit rock bottom in cruelty, something worse is revealed

believe me - you ain't seen nothing yet. One thing that has yet to happen is a big newspaper story where a leading Brexiteer suggests removing children from parents who don't support Brexit. Which in turn makes it easier to intern people who don't support Brexit.

If we want to run a book, I'd put my money on mid-August for that one.

Anymore for anymore ?

The EU would probably give a short extension if the HoC voted for / caused a GE which would run over Brexit Day
BUT
the PM would have to request this, which BJ at least might refuse

With the 14 day period after a VoNC is passed, plus 5 weeks GE prorogation, that uses up about 7 weeks

imo, the HoC, if they want to bring down the govt, need to do so before the recess,
i.e. as soon as BJ returns to the HoC and attempts to "obtain the Confidence of the House"

since they can't rely on the PM - even if it's still May as caretaker - asking for an extension
nor afaik can MPs - except the PM - force the HoC to return before the end of recess

@red What are your calculations on timing ?
Am I being too pessimistic about chances later on ?

belated thanks red

Yes Mother. You beat me on that! Just coming to post. A win for Trump and whoever leaked. Not good all round really.

Does this mean Theresa May gets to appoint his successor - sort of beating Boris to it ? Highly unusual to replace an ambassador after a few weeks ?

It also puts the ball into Trumps court. Is he going to get all hissy and disrespect the UK again ?

I've got to the stage now where I'm thinking we only have to put up with Trump until 2024 but Boris could go on forever. Certainly Brexit and destruction of the country.

and by all accounts he is a good man and very capable. He was due to retire at Christmas, I should think he just thought 'fuck it'.

Well, his position was impossible, he couldn't do his job properly, if Trump - and hence probably all the US govt - won't have anything to do with him

Bastards have won and can now appoint a batshit Brexity ambassador pre-approved by Trump

We see already the power that Trump holds over an isolated UK

It will only get much much worse under BJ
May publicly supported Darroch and the entire Cabinet followed her lead in this
BJ will be unlikely to stand up against Trump like that

It would be v unusual - and v pointed - for a PM about to leave office, to do something she knows her successor won't want

Also, it takes time to vet candidates and choose from them

Possible, but would mean May really sticking it to BJ

I think he was told to resign or be sacked, i just don't believe the sincerity of Hunts comments... the UK has a history of being the poodle of the USA.

I think he’s a realist who knows he can’t win. Meanwhile the leaker will likely get away with it and most of the machinery of the UK government continues to be undermined by people who care nothing for the rule of law, democracy, fairness or truth.

It’s very dark

This almost feels like a battle for the soul of the uk.

Wasn't there someone already lined up to take over? I would have a modicum of respect for TM if she just sent him out immediately - she could say we couldn't not have an ambassador in the U.S for however long it takes the new PM to come in, gain the confidence of the house and then appoint one, so she is simply sending the person who was due to start in December, anyway. Use the 'special relationship' against the fuckers- our relationship is too important for us not to have an ambassador for weeks, maybe months.

The Cabinet Secretary, Mark Sedwill, was reportedly the person chosen to become the next ambassador, before this leak happened.

In fact, the leak was reportedly intended to stop him doing so.

I don't know if he can be appointed this early,
as he has only been Cabinet Sec since October (acting since June) after the previous Cabinet Sec as diagnosed with cancer

Also, Sedwill would need a prompt replacement as Cabinet Sec, especially at such a critical time
and he is supervising the leak enquiry too ....

Farage could do it?

A foreign state telling the UK who or who shouldn't represent the UK.... China and Russia will be taking note how easily we are pushed around, even before we beg for trade deals.

The effects of Cameron's decision are wide and far beyond the initial referendum.

Of course him resigning so quickly takes the heat out of finding out who 'leaked'. Just move things on and like all the other inquiries that should have happened, they quietly get put on the back burner.
His position is of course untenable now so in a way there would be no point in him staying as he can't function as he should.

So, it is looking like the 'leave' the EU part is happening, does anyone have any idea where the UK's destination might be as 'out' is a very wide place to aim for. Once 'out' does the UK need a packed lunch for the voyage, or an ark?

I posted about Darroch resigning on the last thread. Didn't realise we had a new one!

I've written to my MP and the Foreign Sec to say a) he and May were right to defend him and b) his resigning (and her accepting it) is pandering to Donald Trump’s tantrums about dealing with anyone who dares criticise him. I DO think Hunt supported him, much as I dislike the man.

{Farage could do it?}

Farage is the 'useful idiot' although dangerous as his idiocy is more calculated than just being plain stupid.
His niche in life is a 'go between' dancing just the right side of legality.
If it was the cold war spy era, he would probably have pockets in his underpants to carry microfiche films.

So May's appeasement of Trump and all the pomp and ceremony of the state visit was all for nothing.

I hope she sends out Sedwill as his successor, PDQ.

I hope also that since May plans to stay in Parliament she makes a thorough nuisance of herself on the back benches.

Re Kim Darroch he was due to leave post at the end of the year anyway. Therefore leaking to give him an excuse to leave early starts to look the most likely scenario - complete opposite of that being touted by MSM and Govt etc. I assume Hunt already knew about the resignation before the Debate last night. Therefore very easy for him to give unequivocal backing when Boris with less info had to be more cautious - again don't see MSM pointing out the obvious.

This way TM appoints his successor without it being politically charged by the new PM and Brexit (Tom Newton Dunn sees this as a win for team Treeza but actually it looks like it neutralises a potential problem for her successor). If it is Sedwill then that very elegantly draws a line under the Gavin Williamson affair and Sedwill will have a major incentive to make sure his staff are leak free as would his successor at no10.

I am quite sure that Darroch could have found an excuse to go early, without leaks.

Where are the Leavers to complain about another country interfering in our affairs?