POLITICS CORNER

[Tizer]

Boris and his gang keep on saying the EU must make concessions. They seem to have forgotten that you get concessions for becoming a member of a group, not for leaving it. Someone who knows Boris said recently that he's very careful with his words. That sounds odd when you think of all the bluster and the bad words he's using. But he went on to point out how crafty Boris is with words, using them in a way that can be interpreted in different ways so that he say he meant something else, not what you thought he meant.

[Stanley]

Exactly what he today did in Manchester Tiz. I have just been listening to Matt Hancock 'enlightening' us after being briefed on the 'full' details and we are no wiser.
We talk about 'technical solutions but can't even sustain a telephone conversation with the Deputy PM of Ireland, the one to him on the news just failed.

[Tripps]

Let's not start another circular argument about immigration,

Rectilinear I'd say, rather than circular. All that's now the official policy of the Labour party, so if they win the forthcoming election, China and his mate can come home to full facilities, as can the entire population of Naning and Manila if they choose to.

That's known as 'reductio ad absurdum' (I hope - hard to tell these days).

Diane's outing didn't go well - first she made a statement about black history month, and the world athletics championship, and had to be gently reminded by the Speaker that she was in fact there to ask questions. Then her remedial arithmetic course seems to have been a failure, as she showed she couldn't count to six. All very entertaining though.

[chinatyke]

Let's not start another circular argument about immigration,

Rectilinear I'd say, rather than circular. All that's now the official policy of the Labour party, so if they win the forthcoming election, China and his mate can come home to full facilities, as can the entire population of Naning and Manila if they choose to.

That's known as 'reductio ad absurdum' (I hope - hard to tell these days).

There is no way I'll be returning. I'm in the greatest place now!

Diane's outing didn't go well - first she made a statement about black history month, and the world athletics championship, and had to be gently reminded by the Speaker that she was in fact there to ask questions. Then her remedial arithmetic course seems to have been a failure, as she showed she couldn't count to six. All very entertaining though.

She's an embarrassment, how did she ever get elected? Second thoughts: perhaps she counted the votes herself.

[Tizer]

Just out...
`Government publishes Brexit proposals' LINK
This is the nub of it according to the BBC:
`[Boris Johnson's] offer is for an "all-island regulatory zone", which would mean Northern Ireland would have to follow EU rules for goods. There would be additional checks on goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, but the UK would not apply further checks on goods entering Northern Ireland from Ireland. Northern Ireland would leave the EU customs union with the rest of the UK, so there would have to be new customs checks between North and South. The government proposals suggest the vast majority of checks could be carried out electronically - but thinks a small number of physical checks would have to take place, either at business premises or at points on the supply chain. The Stormont Assembly - Northern Ireland's parliament - would have to agree these proposals through a vote and would be given a vote every four years on whether to preserve them.'

[Stanley]

Despondency in Brussels, they don't want No Deal either but the feeling is that even though Brexit B doesn't cut it they have got to look interested so that if and when it fails the UK can't blame them. Back in the UK court I think in the negotiations.
We have yet to see what the cunning plan is to circumvent the Benn Act.

[plaques]

Johnson's cunning Brexit deal appears to be of the form... This is my plan outline, its up to you EU to find a way to make it work! " "NO, No, No, alter Bursche", will be the reply, "That bit is up to you". And what's this about Ireland being able to change their minds in 2021 and then every four years? Watch it crumble into dust or wither on the vine.

[Tizer]

We have yet to see what the cunning plan is to circumvent the Benn Act.

According to the FT, John Major said: “My fear is that the government will seek to bypass Statute Law, by passing an Order of Council to suspend the Act until after 31 October. It is important to note that an Order of Council can be passed by Privy Councillors — that is government ministers — without involving HM The Queen.”
Jo Maugham QC told the FT: “The notion that this legislation can be suppressed by a government in such a way unilaterally defies everything we understand about the primacy of parliament.” Mr Maugham thinks an alternative course of action for the government could be to disapply the Benn Act by recourse to the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. This allows existing legislation to be suspended in the event of a national emergency. But he continued: “This isn’t applicable in circumstances like these. There is no likely emergency that could possibly require the Benn Act to be suspended.” FT 27 Sept 2019

[Stanley]

I agree P. The fact that Stormont has been inoperative for 3 years doesn't seem to be a problem. And what does the rest of Northern Ireland think about Arlene Foster and the DUP effectively acting as their government? I suspect that they are livid but that news is being spiked. (LINK)
There's also the small matter of the Republic of Ireland..... They have slammed Brexit 'B' and have a veto in the EU.
Tiz, I wonder when was the last time 'constitutional experts' had centre stage like this? I still think that Johnson wants No Deal. That's why people like Rees Mogg are aiding and abetting. In case anyone hasn't noticed, 27 days to go! Are we going to get last minute action from the combined Opposition?
What a bloody mess.....

[PanBiker]

Noted yesterday in parliament that Rees Mogg welcomed the decision of the judiciary with regard to the Back to 60 and WASPI women's appeal. Cast aside without a care or comment, shows what a nasty piece of work he is.

[Tizer]

I had an email message this morning from an Irish friend who lives in the Republic. She's really worried about the outcome of the Brexit chaos and its effects on both sides of the Irish border, no matter whether it's a deal or no deal. Of course, they can't see why we want to leave the EU anyway.

I heard one of the EU leaders yesterday say that Boris only thinks about the Irish backstop as a technical matter and doesn't understand or doesn't care about the sensitive political and social issues involved.

[PanBiker]

Rory Stewart has resigned from the Tory Party and will stand down at the next General Election.

[Tripps]

There's to be no relief from this man's ego. He has quickly announced he will run for London Mayor, as an independent. Oh good. . . .

[Stanley]

"doesn't understand or doesn't care about the sensitive political and social issues involved."
That sounds about right!
Documents disclosed in the Scottish court yesterday states that Johnson will write requesting an extension
Statement from Downing Street and tweet from Johnson says that we leave on October 31st deal or no deal.
Take your pick. Can he do both?

[plaques]

Documents disclosed in the Scottish court yesterday states that Johnson will write requesting an extension

. The EU have sussed Boris out. What the legal documents say and what Boris says to Parliament and to the public are two different things". The EU are simply saying "write it down so that we can study it and then we go from there. What you say to the public is contrary to the legal documents, political speak for you are telling lies. The corollary to this is pretty obvious, if you can't believe him about something as important to the country as leaving the EU can you believe him about the NHS, Northern Power House and anything else he is promising?

[Tizer]

I can imagine Boris as a student sharing a house with a group of friends. One day he tells them he isn't going to pay his share of rent and won't obey the house rules...but he wants to keep his room and key, and share the fridge and TV.

By the way, we've christened this grass `Boris'...

[Whyperion]

I think the idea is that pm writes to Eu. to request extension from Eu. But actually leaves on the 31st. Law is complied with other than any parliamentary vote that is binding not to leave with no deal. Alice in wonderland territory.

[Stanley]

Looks just like him!
You're right P, as someone said, they campaign in poetry and deliver in prose.

[plaques]

The EU negotiations are entering the 'blame game' phase. Boris stating he has compromised enough and its the EU's turn. The EU well aware of being blamed for something that's not of their doing are bending over backward to show an ongoing interest. Without concrete written proposals it would be impossible for them to present Boris's bluster to the other community countries. Boris has nailed his colours to the mast and is prepared to go down with the ship. The problem with that is that he is taking the passengers with him. I've no problem with finding him 'dead in a ditch' to quote his own words or setting sail on his own funeral pyre but please leave me behind on terra firma still attached to the rest of the continent.

[Stanley]

I agree P.
The situation has been surreal for a while, I don't know how to describe latest developments. The word is that if he loses a vote of no confidence he will squat in Downing Street and defy Brenda to sack him.
Speaker Bercow has been floated as the leader of a caretaker government. What next?
I asked the question and five minutes later heard news of a doctor reporting the first case of Brexit related psychosis. The patent was trying to burrow into the floor to escape all the negative comments on social media. He is now said to be 'well',. Have they put him on Largactil?

[Tizer]

The word is that if he loses a vote of no confidence he will squat in Downing Street and defy Brenda to sack him.

The Telegraph had a cartoon showing Boris in front of the door of No.10 and saying to the policeman: `If they ask me to leave I'll request an extension'.

Plaques, I too agree with your last post. He doesn't care if we crash out but wants to be able to claim: `It could never be said that I didn't try my best'. Unfortunately his credulous* supporters will accept whatever he says.
*Thanks to Bob's Bits for reminding me of that word It's very useful at the moment!

[Stanley]

They are credulous, we, on the other hand are incredulous. Credibility is generally in short supply at the moment!
We are in a dismasted sailing vessel in a tempest and drifting down onto a lee shore. Totally helpless and never forget it was politicians who brought us to this pass because they forgot their chief duty, to serve the voters and look after their interests. There is no force majeur involved here, it is entirely self-inflicted.
(That is why sensible commentators world wide are so incredulous.)

[Tizer]

All true, they're supposed to consult the experts then do what is in the best interests of the nation, not what we ignorant voters fancy demanding (and I use ignorant in its original narrow meaning of lacking knowledge). I suppose they'll be bringing back hanging next and ditching occupational safety and vehicle speed limits etc.

Two commentators at the end of the Today programme this morning where asked how likely they thought it was that we'd get a deal with the EU. Zero % and zero to 10% were the immediate answers.

This long article was published by the FT on 4th October...
`Simon Schama: who speaks for the people?' FT Schama
Today I see the front page of the i newspaper (what a silly name!) boasts an article titled ``Simon Schama: who really speaks for the people?'. I don't know if it's the same one as in the FT - I can't find the i article on the web.

Incidentally, talking of Schama I found this in an August/September i....
`Simon Schama brands Catholic Iain Duncan Smith a 'dunce' for comparing Brexit to the Reformation' LINK
`The famous historian said the former Conservative leader was 'abusing history in the name of their simple-minded prejudices. Prominent historian Simon Schama has slammed Conservative MP Iain Duncan Smith for comparing Brexit to the 16th century Reformation...'

[Stanley]

And he's right! The most outlandish statements are made daily and are discussed seriously instead of simply pointing out that they are complete BS!
I note that many of the news media are stopping talking about Brexit and filling in with other matters. The BBC last night concentrated on knife crime. Even the Daily Mail seems to have lost patience!
It's got to the point where it is useless to even consider what Parliament is doing. They are adrift.
Trump in America is getting interesting!
I note that Heidi Allen has tergiversated and joined the LibDems.....

[Tripps]

I note that Heidi Allen has tergiversated and joined the LibDems.....

I'm surprised she took so long to tergiversate again. I guess negotiations took some time and getting rid of the established candidate was a problem. The Lib Dems are in full election mode here already. I've had two flyers delivered in the last couple of weeks.

I don't think she'd have any chance here as an independent, so to continue her political career, this is her only option. I feel for the existing candidate who - as the say in Newmarket - has been 'jocked off'.

Her decision represents a disappointment for Ian Sollom, who had already been announced as the party’s candidate for South Cambridgeshire. Mr Sollom tweeted that he was “hugely personally disappointed” not to be able to stand for the party in the constituency, but “genuinely delighted” to welcome Ms Allen to the party.



genuinely delighted - yeah right. . .