Westminstenders: The Imperial March

[RedToothBrush]

There are many ways to enforce power indirectly using privilege. Jacob Rees Mogg knows every trick in the book and dresses it up as respectability rather than a subtle form or intimidation and deliberate exclusion.

It's not the stuff 'of the people'.

Meanwhile the newly crowned PM, is making rather a bug deal of how he is the man 'of the people', here to serve them and to deliver their will.

There's a big theme here about presenting as 'of the people' whilst simultaneously serving the interests of the elite and reestablishing its power over the people.

It's a theme that is set to run for some time, and is entrenched in Trumpism too.

This shift in power is particularly harmful to women it must be noted.

'Strong and stable' was 'weak and wobbly' and we should be mindful that in the era of reversed spin, what 'of the people' signifies.

We've long known about the authoritarianism at the heart of leaving thinking. It's only now that it's finally going to start stomping it's feet all over our freedoms and power.

The road back will be a long and hard one because we failed to spot the threat and the dangers of it.

I would find Johnson's attitude to Ireland incomprehensible if I hadn't read some history, and perhaps lived through the 80s. As it is, he just sounds like a minor Thatcherite in 1985 on the back benches banging on about giving the SAS two days to take out the IRA. Because they fundamentally don't see Ireland as a real country with its own politics and interests. Even my mum, who is far from a Thatcherite, used to go on about Ireland's neutrality during the war. The reasons for that neutrality aren't hard to understand.

It's just immensely depressing that this numpty is our PM.

I half expect a "four legs good two legs better" type twist from Johnson just to be the one that gets it over the line on 31 October without fucking the country completely. Which means he will change the UK redlines that Varadkar has mentioned in his statement. All these rabid no dealers on her will then have to pretend it's what they wanted all along.
Tbe Tory Brexiteers don't trust Johnson so he is playing a song they like to convince them they made the right choice.

Interesting bellini. And for some reason, this made me smile.

Dominic Cummings can’t be trusted at No 10, says Nigel Farage

Nigel Farage launched an outspoken attack on Boris Johnson’s Brexit chief at No 10 yesterday, accusing him of being untrustworthy.
The Brexit Party leader said that Dominic Cummings, a former head of Vote Leave who is now arguably the most important Downing Street official, was not a “true believer” in Brexit and suggested that he secretly wanted Britain “bound to the EU”.
Mr Farage told the prime minister that he could not enter into an electoral pact with the Conservatives while Mr Cummings was masterminding the government’s no-deal Brexit strategy.
”He thinks we’re all cretins and members of the lower order,” Mr Farage said. “He has never liked me. He can’t stand the ERG [European Research Group of Brexiteer MPs]. I can’t see him coming to any accommodation with anyone. He has huge personal enmity with the true believers in Brexit.”
Mr Farage’s attack suggests that time has not softened the three-year rivalry between the official Vote Leave campaign and the Ukip-led splinter group Leave.EU, fronted by Mr Farage.
Mr Cummings marginalised Mr Farage, who he believed alienated critical swing voters with his hardline rhetoric on immigration.
Mr Farage claimed yesterday that Mr Cummings said in 2016 that a Vote Leave win would force the EU back to the negotiating table to offer a better deal than that secured by David Cameron. That would be put to a second referendum that would be won, he said.
Mr Farage added that as a result Mr Cummings would never be trusted by him or Tory MPs in the ERG.
The Brexit Party is resigned to a poor result in the Brecon & Radnorshire by-election tomorrow, in which it had hoped to push the Tories into third place, amid signs that Mr Johnson’s hardline stance is squeezing Mr Farage’s electoral base.

www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/dominic-cummings-can-t-be-trusted-at-no-10-says-nigel-farage-3pprxlwgk

Even my mum, who is far from a Thatcherite, used to go on about Ireland's neutrality during the war.

I don't suppose anyone told her about those Irishmen who fought with the British Army?

I half expect a "four legs good two legs better" type twist from Johnson just to be the one that gets it over the line on 31 October without fucking the country completely.

I hope so, and if we eventually end up with a Norway plus type arrangement of being in the Single Market and Customs Union I would say, OK that will do. We will still have lost out, but we won't have to hear the nonsense from the screamers leavers about 'ever closer union', EU Army, Turkey joining the EU. We will still be subject to ECJ and International law, but short of becoming a North Korea that is part of the world today.

If he manages to kill off the ERG, Johnson just might get a very modest iota of respect from me. If it forces Farage to clear off to the US permanently then good riddance.

Mr Cummings marginalised Mr Farage, who he believed alienated critical swing voters with his hardline rhetoric on immigration.

More like, he knew it was too toxic to go public with, but on the QT it's what most Leavers want in some shape or form.

Nigel Farage launched an outspoken attack on Boris Johnson’s Brexit chief at No 10 yesterday, accusing him of being untrustworthy.

Maybe the is a god after all. For some reason that has cheered me enormously too. Especially:

Mr Farage told the prime minister that he could not enter into an electoral pact with the Conservatives while Mr Cummings was masterminding the government’s no-deal Brexit strategy.

Norman Smith @bbcnormans
Dublin must become "a willing partner" if there is to be a Brexit deal says @DUPleader @BBCBreakfast

Willing???!

When you are saying 'you must do what the UK says'?

Dublin was a willing partner to GFA. Which DUP wasn't . Why should it be a willing partner in the destruction of GFA?

I hope so, and if we eventually end up with a Norway plus type arrangement of being in the Single Market and Customs Union I would say, OK that will do. We will still have lost out, but we won't have to hear the nonsense from the screamers leavers about 'ever closer union', EU Army, Turkey joining the EU

If he manages to kill off the ERG and does away with HS2, Johnson just might get a very modest iota of respect from me. If it forces Farage to clear off to the US permanently then good riddance

Agree with all of this!

And yes Farage can beetle off to the US and live off his EU pension.

The language of coercion and control is not limited to the FWR boards, i see.

Even my mum, who is far from a Thatcherite, used to go on about Ireland's neutrality during the war

My first reaction to this comment was "they weren't really neutral" - a bit like the Spanish weren't really neutral. As a pp said, Irish men fought in the British Army (and maybe others - US army too - speculating there as I don't know?) and other help was given to the Allies too.

...and the Irish nurses, like my mother, bombed in both Liverpool and Gloucester...

And when Farage says of Cummings, “He’s never liked me,” in the Times article, I think ‘he’s blown it’. What serious, grown-up politician complains that someone doesn't like them? He appears childish and petulant and stamp-your-feet-when-you-don’t-get-your-own-way. And he can’t play his cards close to his chest.
Surely the public will soon have had enough of him?

www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jul/31/brexit-mess-with-good-friday-and-well-block-uk-trade-deal-us-politicians-warn

No US trade deal if Bozo messes with the GFA.

Surely the public will soon have had enough of him?

I think they already have. They’re worshipping at the altar of a blond idiot now.

This popped up on my newsfeed and I nearly spat out my cereal, laughing.

www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/07/30/boris-johnson-says-uk-could-stay-eu-customs-union-single-market/

Which makes me wonder what the ERG reaction was?

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/this-is-not-about-a-return-to-empire-us-congressman-warns-johnson-on-belfast-agreement-1.3972382%3Fmode%3Damp&ved=2ahUKEwil0uum097jAhWhTBUIHe_YCMcQFjAAegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw34v8qsoi6ttOHT0i7hHfN6&ampcf=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/this-is-not-about-a-return-to-empire-us-congressman-warns-johnson-on-belfast-agreement-1.3972382%3Fmode%3Damp&ved=2ahUKEwil0uum097jAhWhTBUIHe_YCMcQFjAAegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw34v8qsoi6ttOHT0i7hHfN6&ampcf=1

The Times @thetimes
The Brexit Party leader said that Dominic Cummings, a former head of Vote Leave who is now arguably the most important Downing Street official, was not a “true believer” in Brexit and suggested that he secretly wanted Britain “bound to the EU”

Suzanne Evans @suzanneevans1
What a load of tosh. If Farage isn’t careful, he and the Brexit party could be the ones that end up keeping us in the EU in the event of a General Election before we’ve left. Cummings is only not a ‘true believer’ in the sense he won’t worship the cult of Nigel.

Senior Ukip member criticising the cult of Farage and argument over whether Dominic Cummings is a 'true believer'.

Amazing. The religiosity is terrifying. It appears we have leave sects developing over who is a true believer and who is not.

Why is the government saying they will buy livestock if it was project fear when Remainers said there would be a problem for farmers selling livestock?

Senior Ukip member criticising the cult of Farage and argument over whether Dominic Cummings is a 'true believer'.

And the irony is it's all a game of bluff as Farage isn't a true believer either. When he's ahead in the polls he starts letting slip that Brexit isn't about leaving the EU but it's about democracy..

David Allen Green*@davidallengreen*
The attention on the backstop means that almost nothing else in the Withdrawal Agreement has been properly considered or scrutinised by the UK Parliament

The deal is not ideal, and will have legal effect for two or so hard years

If UK "blinks" and signs it, may be surprises

George Peretz QC @georgeperetzqc
And the Implementation Bill was never published...

David Allen Green @davidallengreen
Oh yes, another essential precondition for a Deal has still not been published

If we want a deal post no deal we will still need the implementation bill...

Matt Chorley @mattchorley
NEW: @YouGov poll for @thetimes

Con 32%
Lab 22%
LD 19%
Brexit 13%
Green 8%

Con highest + Brexit lowest since early April.
Biggest Con lead since Feb

How long is this going to last?
How long does it need to last?
Any guesses as to why Farage is unhappy?

My grandfather and step grandfather were both Irish "neutrals" who fought in the war. GF was refused a place on a boat at Dunkirk for evacuation as he was injured. One of the soldiers he was fighting with insisted he get a place as GF was a 17 year old neutral who had volunteered. SGF was sunk 3 times in one day and would never get on a boat again

I'm finding people are getting more and more vocal when criticising brexit. Db is currently in hospital and the staff have been sharing their concerns (unprompted) with us and asking if we have a good supply of his drugs.