Westminstenders: The Slow No

[RedToothBrush]

Have to make this quick.

Johnson has made an 'offer' to the EU. Let's stress this isn't a deal because they haven't agreed.

The EU have made kind noises about it but will say no thanks.

The UK are expecting this, and despite what's been said apparently are expecting more negotiation on this.

The DUP and the ERG seem to be on board with the proposal meaning in theory Johnson might have numbers to get through parliament. Except its not a deal so this is currently meaningless.

Parliament is prorogued again from next week with the Queen's Speech the following week.

I don't know if they were also expelled from ordinary party membership - some reports may be using inexact language

They tried with some of the 21. Guake received messages to this effect but after he tried to clarify what was going on there was a massive backlash the party said no they were still ordinary members but no they couldn't stand for office again (something they previously denied that central office had the power to do over local associations).

I mentioned Bonnie Greer earlier this morning on this thread.

I have to say she brought a little tear to my eye, just because ROI is an independent country, and will not be subjugated by UK ever again. She said it out. UK media will not.

The GFA is paramount. And those in power know it now, despite the DUP who represent a small cohort really.

I do love Bonnie Greer.

And she's right about that chasm of knowledge about Ireland, about America and Ireland.

I had a Lexiteer friend spend an hour explaining to me that America wasn't interested in Ireland & that the politics of Ireland in the USA was'just people dressing up and dancing in costumes. It doesn't mean much to them.'

Which was, I felt, both deluded and a teeny bit racist.

Stewart lost the whip but was not expelled as such. Just that he could not stand again as the official Tory candidate for his constituency.

Lewis Goodall@lewis_goodall
NEW: I understand that Special Constables in Derbyshire Police have been asked for their availability to fill in for regular police officers between 24th October and 15th November. Am told it's in case regulars are needed to deal with social unrest created by Brexit.

Leave for regular officers had been cancelled for this period all ready. Suspect similar measures being taken in other forces. Source tells me specials being asked to fill in for regulars in this way is very unusual.

Superintendent Steve Point : “As a force we are ensuring contingency plans are in place in preparation for October 31st..."

...As part of this it is crucial that we identify which staff and officers are on duty and are available to be called in to work should they be required, this involves special constables.”

Suspect we’ll be seeing a lot of depleted police forces in the regions in the event of a no deal...

Prince Harry sues Sun and Mirror publishers over alleged phone-hacking

I thought papers had learned their lesson after the NotW was smashed over hacking
However, looks like all the allegations may predate Leveson - so a bit late now ?

news.sky.com/story/prince-harry-files-high-court-claims-over-illegal-interception-of-voicemail-messages-11827492

In that it drew - unconsciously because so deeply embedded - that 'Ireland' = pixies and fairies and girls dancing in green velvet dresses.

The flip-side, of course, being 'Paddy' jokes & terrorism.

US Knowledge of Ireland was and presumably still is patchy. 1970s Ambassador Peter Jay reports that he repeatededly had to explain to disbelieving Congressmen that there were no British troops on the streets of Dublin. As Good Morning America asked Gerry Adams on his first visit, "When are you guys gonna get the vote?"

At the height of the Troubles, the Murder Rate in West Belfast was about 10% of that in Washington DC.

Ah, thanks, red
I thought there had been a row about actual party membership.
I temember now; they backtracked.

I remembered the ban on standing for any office as a Tory - so much for the independence of local associations - because I hadn't realised that the party leadr / CHQ could do that

ROI is romping ahead of Britain now, (well they have the same entities as the City of London I suppose) and good luck to them.

This blx from DUP needs to be called out. Who the F are they representing? That question needs to be answered.

Jim Pickard@pickardje
Awkward letter to Times from leading constitutional expert

Tim Shipman@shippersunbound
Which is why the Palace are quite nervous about the speech as ST revealed last weekend
t.co/ue6XfrpuYS

Basically the QS being used as a party political broadcast on behalf the the Conservative Party....

red does there actually have to be a QS in October ?
I didn't think so

If not, can the rebel Alliance vote not to have one - and hence not have the prorogue either

As well as govt PR, it also wastes the prorogue time plus the usual 5 days debating it

Basically the QS being used as a party political broadcast on behalf the the Conservative Party...

Quite. Why is nobody objecting?

Has the Queen agreed to prorogue Parliament yet?

This may make the EU even more cautious about dealing with the UK, now or after Brexit>

UK and US sign landmark Data Access Agreement

www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-and-us-sign-landmark-data-access-agreement

Do ye honestly think Boris will look for an extension if their is no deal by the 19th or is this a cunning step in a bigger plan. I just feel he is up to something.

Apparently parliament to be prorogued Tuesday. QS on 14th.

That's all that seems to be being said.

Wake me up when Brexshit is over.

Er, we are currently in the longest Parliamentary session since (aptly enough!) the English Civil War. Since that is the case, and Parliament has voted against an election, and the Supreme Court has ruled a normal period of prorogation before a Queen’s Speech to be lawful, it would be quite the constitutional enormity for a Queen’s Speech to be refused. If the opposition parties don’t like what the executive is doing, there is a simple remedy open to them...

To prorogue Parliament for QS is normal. I would not be too concerned about that.

But there will never be a NO DEAL Brexit now. That is just my feeling. I think the penny has dropped. Despite all the vitriol.

What's the story with all the cats?

FGS.

I wonder if the Queen would actually give the Queens Speech herself (if she is obligated to sign off a prorogation for one) . Sending Charles, or worse, getting the Lord Chancellor to read it in her place , would be a real snub demonstrate that she doesn't want any part of this chicanery.

The current Lord Chancellor is Buckland. At least that would make it clear that the Queens Speech is a political exercise.

"One has already prorogued once this year and you blew it. Fark orf!"

Outsominia - the cats started after the autocarrot for "place marking" which morphed into "place mat king" and then to "place cat king" and variant thereof

Given the serious subject we are discussing, it has become a form of calming light relief (as are the dogs and other sundry animals ).

The irony is, that many, myself included couldn't give a fig about QSpeech, it is just what happens year after year and has for donkeys years up to now. No worries.

It is being ramped up now of course because of the prorogation thing.

Honestly what the F is happening.

Has there been a single Queen’s Speech in history that was not, by definition, a political exercise? The Government has made it clear that it would have much preferred an election. Since the opposition has refused an election, it cannot now complain that the Government is setting out its programme for, er, government in the time-honoured fashion.