Westminstenders: War and Weirdos

[RedToothBrush]

With weirdos set to run No10 and Trump seemingly having started a new war in the Middle East, 2020 already looks set to be a cracking year.

To start off your year, it turns out that chinese curse about interesting times is actually a fallacy...

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/May_you_live_in_interesting_times

Happy New Year.

May we make 2030...

I must say I don't blame Harry and Meghan - good luck to them.

Not all of us over 50s please

beat me to it !

I must say I don't blame Harry and Meghan - good luck to them.

Depends how much taxpayers lolly they are absconding with, and more importantly who is going to pick up any security costs in their new "nothing to do with the UK" bolthole ?

I see Canada being mentioned. I can't see Canadian taxpayers being over the moon at having to stump up to keep a bunch of Brit royals safer than they will ever be.

"The strapline of this is "creating opportunities for the UK across Europe"

yet the person whom they chose to centre in their promotional material has a connection to Britain that might charitably be described as "tenuous". Tania Habimana describes herself as a "Belgian, born in France"

I can see why that gets people's backs up tbh. "

Why ?
I just want the best people for any job

Do you object to the significant % of highly paid specialist doctors and senior surgeons in the NHS who come from the E27 ?

The UK allows foreigners to join the armed forces and to get killed & maimed for the UK
Some regiments (e.g. in Scotland) and some techy specialities wouldn't be viable without foreigners

What jobs should forrin people be allowed to do and what jobs should exclude them ?

Do you think British people should be excluded from jobs in the EU, USA, Canada, Australi etc ?
Moving abroad can be a fresh start for Brits who otherwise can't progress up the career ladder
e.g. can't afford unpaid internships, or don't have the right connections

(My first job in Germany, in the late 1980s, was after seeing men twice getting promotions on the basis of posh golf club, funny handshakes etc - on significantly lower qualifications and achievements than I had)

Lol!! yes of course not ALL over 50s but a significant majority.

Yes, the sheer hate ever since the engagement was announced,
long before they could annoy anyone over climate change or MH problems

Maybe another example of not accepting someone too furrin for the job ?

What jobs should forrin people be allowed to do and what jobs should exclude them ? [] Do you think British people should be excluded from jobs in the EU, USA, Canada, Australi etc ?

It's pretty useless having this discussion with a BeLeaver, as you'll invariably boil it down to:

-British leaving the UK for anywhere in the world ? You should have the right to do what you like.
-Not British coming to the UK ? Fuck off.

Breaking news: Apparently Harry and Meghan have accepted an invitation from the Trump family to advise on repealing the US republic and reinstating the monarchy. President Trump has stated he will accept the monarchy of the US under the regnal name "Donald J. Trump I".

DG Security is the one thing we should always pay for, because Harry didn't choose to be born into the RF
and as Diana's son could not escape being a worldwide public figure

Harry would need security even if he'd quit the RF and joined a monastery as soon as he turned 21

He is the son of the next monarch (unless Queenie outlives Charles) and the brother of the following one
An obvious target for the UK's enemies

In particular, the fury that his Mrs has aroused, which has spread to hatred for him as well, puts them probably at greater danger than even the monarch

• at least from rightwing British terrorists, not foreign ones

There is a significant leave majority in Parliament, we will leave.
It isn't reasonable to expect anti Brexit politicians, elected by their constituents on that basis to give up their belief that leaving is a bad idea.
There would be no point in having any opposition politicians sitting in a parliamentary session if they are not allowed to continue to stand on the electoral platform they were elected on.
We would following this idea through hold elections, whichever side won would then manage the country unopposed by any opposition parties for the next five years and then another election would be held.
It would cut down on parliamentary costs but somewhat reduce democracy.

They are reported to get far more threats than any other royals

Maybe another example of not accepting someone too furrin for the job ?

Too furrin, not posh enough and not white enough. And an actress to boot so clearly a scheming hussy.

I’m well used to the insanity of the internet - which is essentially a form of care on the community - but it’s a long time since I’ve seen anything so batshit as the Meghan and Harry threads.

Why not just not give a fuck?

Americans have a very odd idea about the monarchy.
I have been taken aback by just how many magazines have them on their front covers.
But they do see it as a romantic hallmark idea rather than years of relatively thankless service to a rather disinterested public.
I'm not convinced Megan really understood the hard graft and tedium she was signing up for because I'm not sure any American would.

Disinterested or obsessed? There’s waaaaaay too much interest on here frankly.

Otherwise I agree.

Americans have a very odd idea about the monarchy.

I've read their constitution. I think they have exactly the right idea.

I have been taken aback by just how many magazines have them on their front covers.

Because the US public don't have to pay for them.

I'm not convinced Megan really understood the hard graft and tedium she was signing up for because I'm not sure any American would.

I think that's a bit unfair, considering you could say exactly the same for the world of a TV actor.

It is a US obession with the British monarchy.

They seem far less curious about the Danes, Spanish or Thais, etc.

During the ref campaign, there was no suggestion by Leave politicians that E27 citizens already in UK jobs before Brexit should lose them

In fact, iirc there was considerable indignation - including by e.g. SpringIntoAction on MN - at any suggestion Brexit could possibly force any of them to leave the UK or their jobs

Even if Brexit now means British First,
the British Council employee who annoys some Leavers by being furrin was obviously appointed before Brexit .... since we haven't left yet

Can I be the only one who thinks that all this fuss about Harry and Meghan is a distraction from the real issues of Conflict in the Middle East and Australia burning. Both of which matter far far more.

I have seen very little evidence that pro-Remain Parliamentarians, who may or may not now be in a minority overall are now reflecting that change.

This sort of extreme anti-democracy statement, from someone who is considered a "moderate" brexiter, makes me wonder about radicalisation and whether there is any route back to sanity for Britain.

This sort of thing shows no respect for or understanding of their country's constitution and democratic institutions. It's just Trumpism all over again. It certainly isn't about patriotism.

I guess I was surprised how interested the USA is in a bunch of people who are nothing to do with them.
I've lived in other countries were they occasionally referenced but only during major events.
There is a huge focus on fancy frocks and family rows. Kind of like the Kardashians with tiaras.

@Mockers2020Vision is right it is just the UK Royals.

By odd idea I mean I don't think they have any idea how much duty is involved to balance alongside the glitter and ponies.

I don't expect anyone who thinks leaving is a bad idea to give up on their viewpoint why should they? why would they? Our political representatives will have their views, and should be able to advocate for them in Parliament and elsewhere. What they say, and how they vote are different processes.

So I do find it telling that faced with an election result that gave very strong backing to the Johnson version of Brexit, the first reaction of those of our representatives who think differently is to try to change the terms of negotiation.

I am left wondering if there is any possible level of demonstrable public support for the Johnson deal that would lead them to back it?

how exactly is what I wrote anti democratic? To give a counter example, when Parliament voted against military action in Syria in 2013, Prime Minister Cameron's reaction was "I get that, and the government will act accordingly"

Any Remain supporting parliamentarian can satisfy what I'm asking of them in 4 words or maybe even in 3...some examples follow:

"Brexit must now proceed"; "Brexit will now happen"; "Brexit is happening", etc,

Having said this, they can then go on to advocate for whatever change to Britain's EU deal or its proposed future relations they wish to promote, but they don't say the first bit.

During the ref campaign, there was no suggestion by Leave politicians that E27 citizens already in UK jobs before Brexit should lose them

Again, irrelevant since 12/12/2019. That's how UK politics works.

I don't see your point Loiuse - Johnson's version of Brexit will happen by virtue of his majority. I still think there is an argument about what sort of Brexit - so it was worth trying to push for Erasmus for example. It's worth trying to push for the status of refugee children to be protected. Neither of these have happened, but at least it's now Johnson's to own.

You seem to be implying that you think all opposition parties should stand down for the duration of a Parliament.