Westminstenders: All bets are off

[RedToothBrush]

We are seeking an extension. Apparently. No prizes for guessing why.

There is no news but COVID news. And that's all there will be for a long time.

Enjoy your stockpile and your sunny uplands it brought.

Keep safe.

AuldAlliance we got into the Carrefour Drive site at 7am on Sunday morning! First collection slot was Wednesday morning.

Old cut & paste is frantically at work on another thread, defending her beloved BJ

I expect as soon as he is out the door, it'll be worship of the next Tory leader

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/3858075-Anyone-else-wincing-at-Boris-manoeuvres-to-pass-the-blame?msgid=94948735

Placido Domingo as well

Domingo's got CV, I mean, not that Tory Central is springing to his defense

All jury trials in England and Waless^ will be put on hold

Add that to likely release of more prisoners ....

www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/world/general-terrence-oshaughnessy-secret-plan-to-install-general-if-law-breaks-down-c2n3zc773?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1584950493
General Terrence O’Shaughnessy: Secret plan to install general if law breaks down

The Trump administration has issued secret orders to facilitate a military takeover of the US in the event that civilian leadership is incapacitated during the coronavirus crisis, a report says.

The orders would kick in if disease or violence arising from the pandemic rendered Washington impotent and prevented devolution of power to civilian leaders in the regions as envisaged in decades of contingency planning.

The United States would then be placed under the authority of Terrence O’Shaughnessy, a four-star general and former fighter pilot who is the designated “combatant commander”, according to Newsweek.

The Trump administration has issued secret orders to facilitate a military takeover of the US in the event that civilian leadership is incapacitated during the coronavirus crisis, a report says.

Is there a constitutional basis for that ?

Also, Novembers elections ... from what I know they can't be postponed or swerved ?

All jury trials in England and Waless will be put on hold

Does that equate to indefinite imprisonment for defendants being held on remand ? Imagined being locked up with no way to demonstrate your innocence.

I bet certain extremist Tories are having to change underwear right now ...

Some good news at last

Florian Witulski@vaitor

Korea finished developing the 10 minute Covid-19 diagnostic kit and is now ramping up production.

They plan to export 300.000 test-kits per week

Also, Novembers elections ... from what I know they can't be postponed or swerved ?

Its been said it would be extremely difficult.

I doubt this, if there was a crisis. Especially one with army on the streets.

Such quick tests are brilliant, ....
but hopefully companies around the world will be producing something similar v soon, because 300k weekly will take a loooong time

I was referring to US presidential elections, btw ..

Ah, I miss constitutional crises. (crisises?!)

What do you mean NoMore?

Elections weren't postponed during WW2
but that won't stop Trump ..... if he thinks he'll lose

Of course, he may get a boost from those who during a crisis will rally around the leader, whoever he is, however insane & incompetent

We see this in the Uk with people still having faith in BJ's leadership

Hopefully they are supervised around sharp objects and when Emailing Nigerian princes

Sebastian Payne @SebastianEPayne
No10 confirmed: govt has tabled an amendment that requires Coronavirus Act to be renewed by MPs every 6 months.

Spokesperson says “we recognise the importance of parliamentary scrutiny”, adds the powers are “temporary, proportionate and will be used only when strictly necessary"

It was going to be for 2 years flat.

Pressure from Tory and Opposition back benches has got it amended.

That's at least positive.

Authoritarians who wish to be dictators don't stop crisis. They provoke them in order to exploit them for their own benefit.

If there are army on the streets for another reason and they are afraid of covid-19, how do they stop Trump if he decided to cancel the election?

Meanwhile, Orbán in Hungary is presenting a bill, which will eventually get passed,
that enables the govt to rule by decree
indefinitely
and to jail anyone for 5 years for "spreading false rumours" i.e. criticising govt action

Frightening cuckoo in the EU nest;
they need to come to terms with less dangerous Poland, to be able to suspend / expel Hungary
Contrary to Tory propoganda, the EU is far too tolerant of different EU regimes

Maybe the 800 bn fund from the EU, to rebuild after the crisis, can be used as effective leverage
Stop being so deferential to a leader, when that leader has become a mini-Putin

I would have preferred renewal every 3 months, but 6 months is about the acceptable maximum

Scotland freeing up 111 for coronavirus queries only.
For other ailments, we've to use the minor ailments service.
Need a fit note? Go to NHS inform, not 111.

I would have preferred renewal every 3 months, but 6 months is about the acceptable maximum

I guess there is an argument that the more often it needs renewing the more effort goes into that process, rather than the underlying crisis ?

Personally I think a lot more laws that get rushed in should have some form of sunset clause so they are guaranteed a review at the highest level. I am sure some of the crap laws (Dangerous Dogs Act anyone ?) we got saddled with would have excised by now, had that been the case.

DH went to the shop this morning to get milk. It was very quiet and using self pay he did not need to go near other people.
DS just went out for some fresh air ... a few dog walkers around but he was able to stay away from them.

I assume that lockdown will be announced this afternoon.

Good news about the rail franchises.

Just wish there was a leader of the opposition rallying their front bench to speak up for the workers rather than just the bosses.

Just watching Nicolas press conference. So wonderfully clear - all 3 of the women, the FM, the Chief Medical Officer and the Health Secretary. Talking head on difficult questions and not waffling. Speaking clearly but seriously.

Also noticed the lack of propagandising on the lecterns compared to WM's press conferences (which have "Save our NHS" who is it at risk from? ) with the usual information of

Nhsinform.scot/Coronavirus

Nicola's

Just had a call from a stir-crazy DS, they've closed the casino until furtur notice, so he's stuck @ home (they did get the to go in and clean the chips after no customers were allowed in).

One of his colleagues - male, early 20s has been diagnosed apparently.