The Westminster Arms

[DustyDiamond]

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Welcome to The Westminster Arms!

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A non-partisan politics pub thread for political chit chat....!!

Please stick within MN talk guidelines - any posts which you think may have crossed the line, please report rather than getting into scraps on thread 😠

Political punch-ups are soooo last decade - ain't nobody got time for that 🥊❌

Be nice! Be respectful!

S'ok to slag off politicians, but not other posters 🍻

Happy Brexit Day all.

Struggling to keep up these days.
Just wanted to comment on the Indyref2 piece. This is exactly how I see things panning out. Doesn't help that both Glasgow and Edinburgh Health Boards are now in special measures and there is to be a full review of what is going wrong with the education system. Almost makes me question the wisdom of repatriating anything to Holyrood.

Morning, Holly, the CFP had a damaging effect on fish stocks, if I recall. Owen Paterson is on the case this morning in the Telegraph and I'd like to think that Michael Gove, himself a Scot whose family was made bankrupt through the rapid decline of UK fishing, will help to inject some steel into the subject.

It really doesn't make any sense - Scotland having control of its own fishing rights and waters for the first time in 200 years only to campaign to hand them back to Brussels. It will be a tough sell for any Rejoin campaign, never mind a combined IndyRef2/Rejoin campaign.

Morning, Howabout, thought you might like that . I make a point of reading Tom Harris, Alan Cochrane and (even though I don't always agree with him) Alex Massie.

I'm rural Oxfordshire and the lanes here are scary at night. But tonight I walk to the village hall for a quiet celebration. No driving.

Another one here for holding firm on the fisheries policy. I eat a lot of fish as I don't eat meat and Scottish fish is excellent. And I think it will be hilarious watching (Nickers, as my Scottish friends call her) arguing to let Brussels control it. You couldn't make it up.

I am still expecting Gina Miller to come racing into the high court with Bercunt on her back "yelling stop the treachery and treason" followed by spider Brenda walking slowly with the aid of a stick.

Enjoy the day. Happy Independence Day, everyone
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Also Oxfordshire Copper!
(I'm to the West)

Indeed Lily I think it will be very interesting to see how the SNP / rejoiners tackle that point.

Totally agree with you on the BBC Licence fee as well. Non payment of it has no place in a criminal court. About time it was downgraded and the BBC will have create processes to agree repayment plans for those people who have not paid instead. The sooner they move to a subscription model the better as well.

how long is the drive from Wiltshire?

not been to Wiltshire. Sounds lovely and quiet!

Walking is faster than driving here, Autumn

On the other hand, I could drive into Bath and reach the Royal Crescent in 20 minutes on a good day (while still observing the speed limits). However, it would then take me one hour and 20 minutes to find somewhere to park.

I envy your access to good public transport. And mobile phone signal strength. When banks go on about moving to a cashless society, it provokes an eye roll round here. Any visitor to the village would be bemused by the number of residents wandering around looking at their phones. They not engrossed in social media. They're just desperately trying to find a signal

Investment in infrastructure? Bring it on!

I am no fan of Tony Blair. However his ability to write this sort of forward looking positioning is why he won 3 GEs and why none of the Labour Party Leadership candidates look credible.

institute.global/tony-blair/tony-blair-after-brexit

Sir Keir, even after yesterday's Guardian article seeking to move on and accept Brexit, is still talking about making the case for FoM as are the rest.

In contrast the Blair line is "We need to see immigration, with proper controls, as a vital component of economic success, not as a threat to our cultural integrity."

A positive Brexit story to celebrate today. The UK is not implementing the EU's meme ban. Dusty keep doing what you do so superbly.

www.wired.co.uk/article/uk-article-13-copyright-brexit

Singing “ They're just desperately trying to find a signal ”

I bet lack of signal helps with lower crime rates though!

One of my favourite bits of Wiltshire is Hindon, especially The Lamb Inn there. It's my happy place and a great pit stop on the Brussels to Cornwall schlep.

I bet lack of signal helps with lower crime rates though!

I'll have you know there were two reported crimes in this village in 2019: a report of bats being disturbed by building work, and a "disturbance" outside the village hall one summer evening. The case is still "open - under investigation" according to Wiltshire Police. They can't get to the bottom of it but we in the village know. In any case, his mother gave him a clip round the ear for making a show of her so that's the end of the matter. He's in his fifties.

Howabout, that article by TB is gobsmacking, isn't it? He has a well deserved AA award plus he was responsible for the decision not to put a temporary brake on FoM for the East European accessions in 2004. Immigration was never one of my reasons for voting Leave but the vastly underestimated influx arising from his decision, exacerbated by the lack of proper planning for it on his watch, put huge strain on some communities.

He has perfect 20/20 hindsight.

Seven hours and 17 minutes to go...

Interesting...

Just had an email from the Chair of our local CCP notifying me of selection meetings for unitary council candidates. That's not the issue itself that caught my attention. It's the fact that they are fielding candidates on the basis of the proposed boundary review changes, pending the Commission's final decision in 2021.

Here's a reminder of why the current boundaries are weighted in favour of the city constituencies dominated by Labour and not the larger rural/semi-rural shire constituencies traditionally held by Conservatives.

One person, one vote. But as it stands, not everyone's vote carries the same weight.

Lily interesting.

Re crime, I’m moving to Wiltshire!!

I hope dom takes a strike at capita next.

I can't fathom how they are still in business.

I cannot believe the day is here and after years of angst I would have forgotten about it 😂😂.

I wonder if Farage party will be televised?
I'm just cringing though thinking it could be like his Jarrow march 😂😂😂... About 12 people walking along the, it did tickle me.. And followed by that donkey thing.

Those poor marchers 😂😂.

I was so tempted to go tonight and be there for this historic night. I'd have liked my older dc to go and be part of the moment... But weather too shite...

Imagine hoping others do turn up however. But even if its Farage and the 12... We know we are there in spirit. The silent majority

Lily I'm shocked you live in such a rough area

Sally I live in a Crapita borough too

Silvery that made me lol.

Spent the day finishing off some work - this January has been my best month for over 2 years! I reckon I'm already emerging from the EU gloom into the post-Brexit sunlit uplands

Got friends coming this weekend so have done a spot of cleaning in preparation, going out later to toast Brexit in the pub with the other Leavers in there

So happy to be living in such a wonderful democracy where the will of the people prevails!

Interesting howabout If Tony Blair had thought like that 15 years ago, we wouldn't be celebrating Brexit today.

Dusty top-class memes as always!

Can't link but otis reading, change is going to come...

Been a long coming, a little too long...

Just seen Alistair Campbell face on TV... Call me childish but I flicked a v sign at Mr irrelevant... All swept away...

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Am just. so. thrilled!!!

Never doubted we'd leave, but still amazed the remainers dragged it out for as long as they did.

We will never again be fooled into joining. Let's allow the foot stamping, tears and insults to wash over us. We made the right choice, and although they will never thank us, at least they can tantrum in a free and thriving country.

Evening all - a Pint of Best please - it's almost too warm to stock up the fire but still (throws log on fire).

I admit to feeling a frisson of excitement - and it seems so long ago now that we woke early (on the sofa) to the Ref Result.

All quiet round here for now - SW, small town.

Silvery 😂🤣😂🤣
I'd be safer in Midsomer!

Just setting off now. Stay off the roads for your own safety. Mr Lily is navigating and my shoes are already crippling me!!!

Stay safe, all of you. You know what I'm saying.

I'm going to raise a glass at 11pm to democracy, to Leave, to Leavers (all 17.4 million of us) and to everyone in the Westminster Arms. I'm going to ask Robert Buckland to tell Dom Raab that Dusty sends her love.

And I'm going to sneak into the Ladies and post as soon as possible after 11pm to send you my very best for an independent future.

This says it all and lays out the choice. I hope we don't go with the Cartesian model, but the freewheeling global trading one. It's not behind the paywall as far as I could see. If it is, then I can post it in full.

www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2020/01/31/brexit-destiny-21st-century-watershed-philosophical-choice-far/