The Westminster Arms

[DustyDiamond]

Shiny new thread 😍😍

The Westminster Arms:
A non-partisan politics pub-thread for varied political chit-chat & other such stuff

Cheers all 🍷

I don't see the length of time for the leadership contest as any problem- if anything it's an advantage as we have only just passed the 31st Jan. voters have been sorely in need of a break and a 'period of reflection' as Corbyn might say.

Some might well begin to see a bit more rationally once the thin layer of shiny stuff starts to flake off.

Arse Rome wasn't built in a day
That's true, but it was actually built, it wasn't just an imaginary Rome pulled out of thin air to sound good for a voter contingent apparently desperate to be lied to.

It may be case of watching what the gov do rather then listen to what they say as if they do want WTO terms they are going to have to put some serious prep in between now and end of transition.

I think today could not have been clearer. No deal is the end game. I genuinely don't think a deal with the EU is desirable in the eyes of Johnson.
He might underestimate people's reaction once their quality of life is noticeably affected. That's my concern. There is no prepping for systemic issues- and I suspect there will be plenty. How is he going to deal with the inevitable discontent? And no, I'm not a doom monger- I don't want my quality of life to be diminished, I want the success he pitched today, all of those promises of prosperity to come true. Problem is, I don't believe them at all.

Arse Rome wasn't built in a day
That's true, but it was actually built, it wasn't just an imaginary Rome pulled out of thin air to sound good for a voter contingent apparently desperate to be lied to.

In 1190? That's stretching it a bit.

The saying is a direct translation of a French proverb that sprang up in the 12th century.

I don't think universal enfranchisement was, erm, universal then.

And have you actually been to Rome?

It's still not finished...

In 1190? That's stretching it a bit

Lost me, I'm afraid

Rome was not built in a day
Opposition will come your way
But the harder the battle, you see
Is the sweeter the victory now

That should cover it for both sides I think

I'm sure it was finished, it's just been knocked about a bit..

To be honest, after Emily's performance before, during and after the referendum I could barely believe that she put herself up for the leadership contest.

She should have gracefully faded from public life.

Her comments about white van man were a pr disaster for the Labour Party! Her lies about honouring the result, then turning tail.

She's as slippery as they come!

Shameless.
And what's happening about the alleged Caroline flint comments....

Can't disagree with you there Sally except she does act as a good lightening rod to diffuse some of the protests when the other candidates necessarily distance themselves. Selfless as ever is Lady N.

Glaswegians view it as a constant immutable endeavour to remodel George Square. These things can't be rushed.

Re the eu moving on red lines it wouldn't surprise me if they did throw car industry and whatever else under the bus.

This is a critical problem with political and economic alliance. Especially when there is very little positives holding themselves together.

The only slight plus on our side is that Germany is the only mildly successful country in the eu and it relies on the itself car industry a great deal

But would they sacrifice that to make leaving look as punitive as they can?
I'd say they would try!

I only skimmed through #Static's webchat - will read properly at a later date.

Was 😮 at the 'talk to my kids' thing! (in a good way 😂)

Have said to them - they're not remotely interested 🙄

Although I've only skimmed it very quickly so not seen the quality of his answers - at a superficial level I'm impressed that he tackled so many

I'm particularly interested in his federalisation idea for the component parts of the UK moving forward
I think (if I remember correctly) that Ian Murray is advocating for that route also - it's def an option that I'd like to learn more about

Wrt the level playing field/non competitive stuff...
I'm also of the opinion that the whole point of Brexit was that we could make our own decisions
Why on earth would we leave the EU only to subjugate ourselves?

No, but trade offs are necessary in any partnership and I don't see why we'd make things that much harder for ourselves by rejecting any form of partnership with the EU.

He's not 'rejecting any form of partnership' though

He's rejecting the suggestion that 'you'll be entirely bound by rules we set out for you', and 'we want to tie your hands as much as possible so you're no competition to us'

To be honest, after Emily's performance before, during and after the referendum I could barely believe that she put herself up for the leadership contest.

She should have gracefully faded from public life

Exactly my feelings about 'Boris'. Thornberry hasn't got a chance at the leadership. if only tories had had the same discernment

Also just read through Sir Statics web-chat. His answers just seemed a greyer versions of Jeremys. Not a bad word for Corbynism, or his policies, the problem was all just presentation.

More money for every issue, no mention of how to fund it all.
More power to the people, the Unions, Scotland & the EU.
Transrights yes ... woman's rights needs more discussion.
Because we lost the election we need electoral reform.

Possibly competent, like John Major 0.1 but nothing new or special that will make a big impact. He might be a good suit until they can get a leader and policies able to win an election.

We are not rejecting any form of partnership. We want a partnership. Just not what they are proposing

amp.theguardian.com/politics/live/2020/feb/03/brexit-news-boris--johnson-speech-barnier-cabinet-ministers-claims-uk-does-not-need-trade-deal-with-eu-ahead-of-pms-speech-live-news

Further to my earlier post - no 10 restrictions on some of the press. Good on those who were allowed to attend in walking out.

More money for every issue, no mention of how to fund it all

Yes, that sort of talk is crap isn't it? Of course, it's a lot more crap when the person saying it is actually the PM

Exactly my feelings about 'Boris'. Thornberry hasn't got a chance at the leadership. if only tories had had the same discernment

If Labour had shown discernment sooner they might have had a chance of beating Boris. Too little too late

✅ TKO

It's never too late, just a question of biding your time..surely Brexiters know that?

No, but trade offs are necessary in any partnership and I don't see why we'd make things that much harder for ourselves by rejecting any form of partnership with the EU.

Agree with Copper I would say that goes both ways.

Photo's a bit out of date innit?

He looks a lot more haggard than that now..

Exactly my feelings about 'Boris'. Thornberry hasn't got a chance at the leadership. if only tories had had the same discernment

Thank goodness no one remotely like Emily Thornberry was on offer in the Conservative leadership contest! Can you imagine, ET in No. 10 with a stonking great majority and a mandate to govern? Quelle horreur! 😱😱😱

We definitely dodged a bullet by choosing Boris. After that, the result of the GE was practically in the bag.

You do conjure up some amusing images with your verbal meandering.

Every thread should have an Arse.

Anyway, here's a reminder of one of Boris's many achievements...

I'm a swing voter arse, so are many posters on here as I'm sure you know.

I don't have any allegiance to any party. If Labour had led the charge to leave the eu I would have voted for them.

I think most of us know and agree Boris isn't perfect but neither is anyone or any politician.

It's just a yawn fest preaching to the choir, trying to corner us and shoe horn us into some rabid right wing figment of imagination.

Partnership is one thing but we would be mad to sign up to EU dictatorship rules again, having just escaped from them. Thankfully Boris sounds like he is not even going to contemplate this.

Dusty, that's a shame your boys aren't interested in meeting SirStatic.
We were about to start the Arms' refurb in honour of the visit. I found a nice F&B deep, rich red: 'Preference Red' for that back wall in the concert room.

I thought he did quite well in the webchat, but his womens' rights response won't go down well.
I can't remember what Lisa Nandy's stance is on this. Does anyone know?