Westministenders: Conference Cult

[RedToothBrush]

Is it over yet?

The Tory Party Conference is in full swing in the Manchester Rain, and is proving to be its usual fun.

Johnson is caught up in all sorts of allegations of abuses of power - the non-declaration of his "friendship" to a busty blonde whom was getting a large tax payer grant, and then there the Odey question after his sister said he was under the control of the Hedge Funders.

And thats before we talk about the 40 hospitals, his provocative language and how many times he can say the word surrender.

There is lots of distancing from Lyton Crosby. And accusations that Johnson has gone 'rogue' only listening to the wisdom of Cummings and Symonds.

The Queen apparently has asked for advice as to under what circumstance she can dismiss a PM.

AND NO ONE IS EVEN TALKING ABOUT A DEAL.

I thought the Rebel Alliance had until appx 15th October before they could call a VONC. At which point I think BoZo might attempt a flight to USA. I suspect he would try to argue that he is still PM and won't step down whilst hiding it out under the safety of Trump. I think Brenda will then step in if necessary and, as has possibly been Cummings' plan all along, some other poor sod has to either deal with No Deal (if time has run out) or ask for a last minute extension - and who knows if we would even get one?

What will happen in Scotland if/when everything goes pear shape, the UK government don't give a toss about anything the Scots say, and they keep on refusing an independence referendum? Nothing?

I really can't envisage the Westminster government spending the time and attention that a sensible split with Scotland required, even if they agreed to it.

Is the country "angry and divided?"

There's some anxiety, most eager felt by those most immediately to be affected ( am thinking of medication-reliant folk, MrsPan included, NI) BUT..there does seem to be a vast over-statement of the psychological condition of the nation. Which generates the anxieties.

I'm suspecting the vast majority of the population are more rolling their eyes (and not grasping the severity of issues involved), and aren't fed up with Brexit (or no), just fed up about hearing about it. We are not the most politically literate country in the world, and Brexit is just annoying them.
We see anger at flash points like conference season, or when the BBC do vox pops in selectively Leave areas (and even then must grade the inputs to accent Leavers) but it's maybe more accurate to portray the nation differently.

Nick Robinson interviewing the PM just now. Sounds like they're having a chummy chat over a latte.

So why do they fall into bed with him?

This put me in mind of the question: "So what attracted you to the multi-millionaire?"

Sleepless night with toddler and now Sky News. FFS, Lib Dems. Do you have a better idea?

With regard to violence and possible independence for Scotland/unification of Ireland, I would bet the Tories have modelled this and realise it won't be a problem for them. Electorally they can do without both, in fact ditching both will hugely strengthen their grip on power in what's left of the UK. Also the sad fact is most voters in England don't give a shit about Ireland or Scotland so the Tories have nothing to fear from this.

Peregrina quite!

PMK

Highlight of the soft Nick 'Tory-Boy' Robinson interview*

NR - Do you have a woman problem?
BJ - I've always been in favour of women on top.

*where's Andrew Neil when you need him?

I think KD you are right. NI has been a problem successive govts have tried to shake themselves free of for years. The GFA had zero profile in the referendum.
Scotland - quite different as there is a land border (though the Romans did leave us a wall nearish to it).

Part of me thinks/hopes that if Scotland did very visibly want to escape from the clusterfuck of FUKD, then the international community would finally accept UDI to allow us to escape the economic and societal meltdown.

Maybe we could even use the Vienna Convention so believed of a certain poster who rarely dares to come on here seems to think that it allows the UK to legitimately escape the GFA. He's wrong as you can't escape an international treaty due to your own actions and choices - but in Scotand's case, maybe there is some way that they could claim that the Treaty of Union has been broken as we haven't been given - and are being refused - a choice in the matter

Yes, I know it's wishful thinking

I agree, I don't see the sectarianism per se being an indicator of future trouble. There have already been massive independence marches (and smaller ones going on around the country on a regular basis) - not that you'd know it from the lack of TV coverage because they're too peaceful. I think the next big All Under One Banner one is on 5 October in Edinburgh.

Strong warning shot from William Hague in the Telegraph to BoJo and Co
www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/09/30/rule-law-integral-conservatism-tories-should-not-fight/

I’ve picked some of the comments as it maybe behind the paywall

“And yet, there is a big problem, a worrying exception to the party’s behaviour being true to the traditions that have made it successful for the last two centuries. For the desperate and understandable desire to deliver an exit from the EU has led to ill-advised actions that appear to undermine another fundamental attribute of any conservative party: an unshakable attachment to the rule of law.”

“Once Brexit is accomplished, Britain’s provision of a principal global base for the rule of law and those who value it could be an even more pronounced advantage. But that is all the more reason not to damage it in the process of “getting Brexit done”, and it is all too easy to cause such damage in small, accumulating steps. The decision to prorogue Parliament for five weeks was extremely unwise, bringing forth last week’s categoric and unanimous ruling by the justices of the Supreme Court that it was unlawful. While their judgment might have come as a surprise, it was hard to fault their reasoning, which will also constrain any future government of the far-Left. It sent a signal to the world that the rule of law in Britain can be relied upon.”

“So when Boris speaks this week in Manchester he should proclaim all the greatest Tory beliefs, and include the rule of law among them. He should make clear his administration will never challenge that. That means leaving with a deal, or winning an election, fair and square. The Tories should not be in a fight with the law.”

Yuck Johnson really makes my skin crawl.

How did this sleazeball get to be Prime Minister?

pmaperramper so what is your solution?

Scots fight against each other? Westminster taking back direct rule? This is what BJ and the ones who control him want I am sure.

I would hope Scots would realise this. Don't let English Nationalism destroy Scotland.

How did this sleazeball get to be Prime Minister?

He was bred for it.

Scots fight against each other?

It was the lure of English gold that finally brokered the Union ...

I've actually changed my mind on Jo Swinson after a very good interview she gave on the Today prog this morning, re a GNU. There were also good interviews with Mary Lou McDonald (leader of Sinn Fein) and someone whose name I forget from the Border Delivery Group (??) in N Ireland. Both utterly scathing about Govt proposals.
Farming Today is doing Brexit all this week so here are yesterday's and today's episodes:
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0008xzf
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0008wvn

DGR - It was the lure of English gold to a few Scottish nobles that finally brokered the Union ... and an economic blockade (Fixed that for you )

There were actually riots by the "ordinary people".

It was of course also before the days of universal suffrage and a representative democracy - although we seem to be moving away from that these days

The GFA had zero profile in the referendum.

Not so, because protecting that was what swung my vote to Remain. I would dearly liked to have voted to give Cameron a kick in the teeth and then thought that would be a negative vote, and it's better to find something positive to vote for.

It was of course also before the days of universal suffrage and a representative democracy

But when 30% of the electorate can't be bothered to vote ...

@JeSuisPoulet - I agree with you about the anti-vacation community.
I am big believer in MMR. My brothers were pre MMR vac in NZ. My brother suffered fits while sick and my Mum (very no nonsense, not prone to dramatic statements) said it was the scariest thing she experienced as a mum. My brother ended up in hospital, but is fine. One of his classmates died.
I however can't support compulsory vaccinations. As it's open to abuse with big pharma lobbying to have endless vaccines compulsory. My kids are coming to the point where the question of the HPV vaccine becomes a question - and I am not sure about them having it.....

Re - Ireland. I grew up in NZ - removed from IRA violence etc, and even I know this is a dangerous suggestion. What is wrong with the collective memory of this country?

.

Peregrina

I also voted with Ireland in mind but I did A LOT of reading (thank you mn). Almost everyone else I've spoken to irl didn't know it was an issue, it wasn't widely publicised. Unfortunately I think even if it had been people in England really don't give a shit about Ireland.