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Brexit
Original poster

Westminstenders: Extension or No Extension

977 replies

RedToothBrush · 20/10/2019 08:26

Johnson has sent a letter he said he never would asking for an extension.

We now wait to see what the EU come back with.

It's likely to be a technical extension. At best.

France are really not happy with the idea of an extension and Macron is flexing his muscles with the EU at the moment. He has been prepared to upset all the other EU countries as he proved with blocking progress on accession to the EU for Northern Macedonia and Albania this week. Macron is fighting his own domestic battles.

It looks as if Johnson now has a majority for a deal. What that deal will ultimately look like will be dictated by the Withdrawal Agreement Bill which sets out implementation of the Withdrawal Act.

However, with the DUP firmly offside the chances of a vote of no confidence go up. As do the chances of an election.

And its also worth pointing out that whilst the WAB is legally binding if we have an election and Johnson gets a majority, then there can always be changes made to domestic law. (implementation of the WA rather than the agreement principles of the WA agreed with the EU).

Thus any 'assurances' over workers rights and regulatory standards are only as good as long as this parliament...

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HeyNotInMyName · 21/10/2019 07:31

Doesn't matter what the intention was. They don't have a majority to pass it, at least this side of a GE and if they do get a majority in a GE they won't need such a law.

This is just more electioneering rather than having any meaningful substance whatsoever.

I think it matters a lot. Because it sounds too much like what Trump is doing. Saying things that are totally unacceptable, going back in them and then saying something similar but this time, it’s nit opposed as much by people because they are getting used to it.
Any idea that it would be ok to put people in jail just because they are in the Opposition (regardless of the context) should nit just be dismissed as a tactic for a GE imo.

HeyNotInMyName · 21/10/2019 07:32

Xpost thecat.

We’ve all become used to see things as crazy as that that we’ve become immune to it. That’s what is dangerous.

thecatfromjapan · 21/10/2019 07:32

Nick Boles' tweet re. idea of prosecuting UK citizens who 'undermine negotiations'.

Westminstenders: Extension or No Extension
NoWordForFluffy · 21/10/2019 07:35

If the media bloody picked up on it and shouted out against it, it would help. The media has so much to answer for and the lack of proper journalism is woeful.

What was the name of that bloke who used to turn up with a camera and harangue people who'd done wrong? He was a bit of a knob, but we need more haranguing-type journalism and less lapdog.

NoWordForFluffy · 21/10/2019 07:35

Woahhhh...Nick Boles is pissed off. Good on him!

thecatfromjapan · 21/10/2019 07:37

Recut = Brexit.

I do think this proposal is another example of GE electioneering. And, as such, will have unthought- through repercussions.

And, yes, it's GE electioneering distraction from real issues BJ and prominent Brexiteers actually face.

And, yes, it's more corrosion of what was 'normal, just five years ago.

But I also suspect it's short-term, on the hoof, and we're there a less supine, sensationalist media, would unravel fast.

thecatfromjapan · 21/10/2019 07:38

X-post with similarly outraged Fluffy.

Sostenueto · 21/10/2019 07:40

Apparently according to Radio 4 Berkow can't use the bit that says you can't bring the deal twice in one session of Parliament because the deal was not put to vote on Saturday. Confused
Also Grieve, Letwin et al are being investigated by the government for alleged foreign interference in stopping government getting their deal?????wtf????

thecatfromjapan · 21/10/2019 07:47

Is The Daily Record mainstream enough to post a link to?

It's covering the Nick Tolhurst story Red alluded to (which may explain this latest piece of Johnson-Cummings distraction.)

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/incoming/tory-minister-john-whittingdale-could-7778045.amp?twitterr_impression=true

NoWordForFluffy · 21/10/2019 07:48

If he can't use the put twice bit, he can use the contravenes Letwin thing though.

And it's Roger Cook I was thinking of. Obnoxious, but not namby pamby like so many so-called journalists these days.

Actually, they're 'reporters', aren't they? Telling us what happened but failing to challenge / dig.

The Watergate journalism should be what they aspire to, not enabling the authoritarian government.

(If you've never watched it, All the President's Men is a brilliant film.)

runningintothesunset · 21/10/2019 07:49

I emailed Oliver Letwin this morning to say thank you for all that he’s been doing in the face of such opposition. He emailed back within a minute from his phone to say thanks. So, time for some more love bombing of the good guys MNers?

thecatfromjapan · 21/10/2019 07:49

But it's worth reminding people that the Johnson-Arcuri story, which is still rumbling away, isn't just about misappropriation of public funds whilst in office.

It's also about who Arcuri was involved with politically, where those funds went via Arcuri, and how and why Arcuri came to be in Johnson's orbit.

thecatfromjapan · 21/10/2019 07:50

Good idea, running.

NoWordForFluffy · 21/10/2019 07:51

When is the next Acuri instalment? Surely it's got to blow up soon, as opposed to the current rumblings?

Hoooo · 21/10/2019 07:54

Well, what fresh hell will today bring?

Ellie56 · 21/10/2019 08:12

Well, what fresh hell will today bring?

I wonder.

NoWordForFluffy · 21/10/2019 08:12

There was mention in the Metro of parliament taking over control of the timetable again today in order to discuss Brexit legislation (and maybe the deal, I don't recall).

One bit did make me smile. It had a little question and answer but which said (paraphrase), 'Didn't Johnson say he'd rather die in a ditch than ask for an extension?' 'Yes.' 'Is he dead in a ditch?' 'No.'

The question is, why he decided asking for the extension was better than his previously-preferred option of a ditchy-death?!

lonelyplanetmum · 21/10/2019 08:14

I emailed Oliver Letwin this morning to say thank you for all that he’s been doing in the face of such opposition.

Good idea. I also think it's worth an occasional email to key MPs who may be waivering over the deal or amendments, even if they aren't your MP.

You don't need to mention whether you're a constituent or not really and it's a numbers game- volume of emails leave an overall impression.

prettybird · 21/10/2019 08:14

In response to a comment earlier about what the SNP should consider and that they needed to be realistic, I think they'll vote for a CU and/or a SM (didn't Joanna Cherry put forward amendment for one of them a while ago? Confused....which was voted down including by Labour purely because it was the SNP who put it forward Hmm) but won't ever vote for the WA.

They've said that if there had been a WA that was maintained the CU/SM, as they suggested right at the start of this process (3 years ago), then they'd vote for that but that they can't vote for anything that will make their country significantly worse off - and that it's both their job to vote in the best interests of their constituents (quite apart from having a specific mandate to vote this way Wink)

I know they'd talked about tabling a VoNC imminently - but I don't think the risk of No Deal Brexit on 31 October has gone away yet Sad

borntobequiet · 21/10/2019 08:17

Interviewer on Today doing an excellent job of making Labour Shadow Health Sec sound like a nice, patient, measured reasonable and knowledgeable person. She sounded as though she was frothing at the mouth while repeatedly accusing Labour of trying to wreck the deal. Well done that woman.
Later it was made very clear that the bill had passed (with amendment) and couldn't be brought back.

tobee · 21/10/2019 08:17

All the Presidents Men is a great book as well. It made me want to be a journalist. I'm not though.

I love it when posters and commentators mention that "this week could be an interesting week in parliament". I can't remember the last time it wasn't! ConfusedGrin

NoWordForFluffy · 21/10/2019 08:19

It's hard, isn't it? As essentially it's voting for the type of shit they want! But also not wanting the government to be able to succeed with this really, really, really shit deal. Which I assume takes priority at present?

Will the SNP vote for the PV amendment, pretty?

prettybird · 21/10/2019 08:20

'Didn't Johnson say he'd rather die in a ditch than ask for an extension?' 'Yes.' 'Is he dead in a ditch?' 'No.'

Just read that bit out to dh and he said, " Another broken promise" Grin

I know we shouldn't joke about this sort of thing Blush

TheMShip · 21/10/2019 08:25

It's probably good for my mental health that I'm travelling to the US today and will miss all the excitement in Parliament.

mrslaughan · 21/10/2019 08:27

@placemats I know I am behind in the thread - but it DOES matter that the very wealthy don't pay tax because they are tax residents of nowhere. Which is one of the reasons the EU tax's are so important and why the tories want to avoid them.
I don't think anyone in the middle to lower income bracket can afford a tax increase - maybe middle if there is a major adjustment in housing costs.
I would prefer to see the wealthy pay for more of the services they use - like healthcare etc - while keeping tax rate the same.

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