Brexits Arms - To GE or Not to GE that is the question?

[time4chocolate]

Will the man from del monte say yes on Monday or will he leave a lot us doing this.....again

Ugh, I can’t stop eating this morning... nervous energy I think...

Just read that Labour will back amendments to put settled EU citizens on the electoral register. IF SNP/LDS do too, the Govt could yet pull the bill.

Brilliant - I’ll be able to vote !!!!!!

I'm not opposed to either 16 year olds voting or EU Nationals with settled status getting the vote. However I am opposed to a change like that being passed without proper consultation and reflection. It ought to involve a consideration of residency and voting rights. This would also have a knock on effect on any IndyRef2.

Also it would fly in the face of the 2016 Referendum electorate.

If Labour, LibDems, and SNP all back this amendment then the assumption has to be that they are not serious about a GE.

“Just read that Labour will back amendments to put settled EU citizens on the electoral register”

A fair and reasonable amendment if so, I see no good reason at all why settled citizens shouldn’t have a vote in a GE on who represents them! Unlike the 16 yr old vote imho. Let’s hope they don’t muddy the waters by conflating the two, as they are very separate and distinct positions!

I don’t agree on 16 yr olds voting. But I 100% agree with you on further consultation on the matter. My main concern is them squeezing it in as a kneejerk tactic for political reasons that favour one party over another. It just looks stupid and ill considered otherwise.

Aargh, I'm back with another question if anyone has any ideas; what's the point of the fixed term parliaments act if you can just pass a bill to get around it? What's the point of a whole law that requires you to get a two thirds majority for a GE if you can just ignore it and get one with a simple majority? Why did anyone bother introducing it in the first place??

Well, I believe, although I stand to be corrected, that the FTPA was the brainchild of Nick Clegg? It’s a stupid and damging rule imho. And you are right, the fact that it clearly has such huge holes in it, make it appear now to be even more stupid and pointless!

So to answer your question, I don’t know, but I agree over all!

BBC's Iain Watson reporting Labour support for GE is not contingent on extending franchise to EU Nationals and 16 year olds (quoting Ian Lavery and John Trickett). Conservatives also briefing "now is not the time" as opposed to outright opposition.

"now is not the time"

They are right, it’s not the time. It needs consideration and debate, otherwise it risks causing unforseen issues later on. Much like the previouly mentioned FTPA.

My nearly 17 year old would be happy if 16 year olds were allowed to vote. He's at work at the moment so may not have heard that a GE is now likely, but won't be impressed if there is another election in December and he then has to wait another 5 years to vote. That said, if we'd not had the 2017 GE we'd have been having one next year, and he would have still been too young as he's not 18 until towards the end of the year.

There is no reason that those of us with settled status shouldn’t have the vote next month. Who we are is easy to check so no reason to delay including us now. I’ll support any amendment for this. Government need to ensure that UK citizens living overseas but entitled to vote shouldn’t be ‘missed out’.

The Tories will not put any effort into including both groups as we have been well and truly pissed off by the Tories treatment.

Well this is going to spice up Christmas

I'd also have no problem with settled status people being included - they have made a commitment to their future being in the UK after all.

I naively assumed that those with settled status could apply to be on the electoral register & eligible to vote in GE - I didn't realise they couldn't.

Wrt including 16/17 yr olds - a debate for the future (although I disagree with it) - but not shoehorned in without proper debate & scrutiny.

It’s starting - am working from home today - in front of Sky News!

Fucking hell, I’m confused, are labour backing off supporting it again? Or am I confusing my bills??? Just been watching Valerie Vaz, and the position seems wobbly...

Are the labour back benchers going to rebel?

Labour really can't see the optics can they ?

So, this division, is on the amendment to overturn the amendment preventing further amendments, in order to allow new amendments.

Excellent 🤯

“Labour really can't see the optics can they ?”

It’s laughable, it really is, I honestly think the nation will collectively lose it’s shit if this bill doesn’t pass.

I’m not sure what amendment we’re on that overturned the previous amendment.
Probably the 15th?

That's about it Epic, although it is not Bercow chairing it is Lindsey Hoyle so less chance of wrecking amendments being allowed 🤞😊

Omg. Parliament live suggesting the possibility of the bill going into limbo again if the programme motion fails and or certain amendments are attempted. Arrrrrgggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

“I’m not sure what amendment we’re on that overturned the previous amendment. “

I think, it’s Rees Moggs’ from last night? Not sure though...

“That's about it Epic, although it is not Bercow chairing it is Lindsey Hoyle so less chance of wrecking amendments being allowed 🤞😊”

Oooh.... that changes the game!

Stella creaseys amendment is in division.

It’s an amendment to amend rees moggs amendment from last night, preventing further amendments on the bill. (I think... )