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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » The LDs and Greens can breathe a sigh of relief – LAB’s Brexit

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Comments

  • OnlyLivingBoyOnlyLivingBoy Posts: 15,798

    Boris Johnson's is a sensible position. Get a standstill agreement so we are out but still following their rules, we get no say in new rules and give them money (Theresa May's transition basically) . . . deal with NI during negotiations for the future where it should belong.

    Under the negotiated Withdrawal Agreement the Irish border is dealt with as part of the future deal too. The backstop does not deal with the Irish border. It puts a procedure in place to protect it in the event that it is not dealt with under the future arrangement. I don't get why this is so hard to understand. It's not that complicated.
    The procedure to "protect it" deals with it until we get permission to remove the procedure. That's not OK.
    Why should we be able to unilaterally decide on something that is a joint responsibility? The backstop is totally OK. What is not OK is threatening to destabilise the island of Ireland in pursuit of this absurd English nationalist project (which it turns out is actually all about kissing American arse anyway).
  • SouthamObserverSouthamObserver Posts: 39,653
    HYUFD said:

    https://twitter.com/DPJHodges/status/1148336402960175104

    At last, a reason to vote for Corbyn!!!! At least he wont take this idiot's phone calls.

    Trump is more popular than Corbyn with Leave voters and Tory voters in the latest Ashcroft poll

    Trump will help drive tactical voting against Tory candidates. He’s brilliant news for Corbyn.

  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    RobD said:

    nico67 said:

    Theresa May should summon the US Ambassador. Trump’s rantings are highly offensive and unprecedented.

    The Tories have two masters: Nigel Farage and Donald Trump. They will do nothing to upset either of them. It’s called taking back control.

    Tragic . But many Leavers seem to love being the new 51st state. When do we start celebrating thanksgiving!
    How's it any different to Europhiles loving being a state of the EU?

    I see no material difference between being a state of the USA or a state of the EU.

    At least the USA has the same language and a common culture.

    Your inability to understand the difference between being Rhode Island within the US and France within the EU explains a great deal.

    Today, perhaps, but in the coming decades?
    Precisely.

    The EU of today is nothing like the EU of 44 years ago. Had we voted Remain and it had been another 4 decades before another vote, what would the EU look like in 4 decades time?
  • RobDRobD Posts: 59,936

    HYUFD said:

    https://twitter.com/DPJHodges/status/1148336402960175104

    At last, a reason to vote for Corbyn!!!! At least he wont take this idiot's phone calls.

    Trump is more popular than Corbyn with Leave voters and Tory voters in the latest Ashcroft poll

    Trump will help drive tactical voting against Tory candidates. He’s brilliant news for Corbyn.

    Let's see. How many people cited Trump as a motivating factor for their vote in 2017?
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,772
    HYUFD said:

    https://twitter.com/DPJHodges/status/1148336402960175104

    At last, a reason to vote for Corbyn!!!! At least he wont take this idiot's phone calls.

    Trump is more popular than Corbyn with Leave voters and Tory voters in the latest Ashcroft poll
    Why are people who claim they love their country and want Brexit to restore pride and get their country back, prepared to doff the cap and bend the knee to this imbecile in the White House?

    We don't need to be the 51st state.

    We should support our ambassador.
  • Wulfrun_PhilWulfrun_Phil Posts: 4,780

    Scott_P said:
    Labour in a complete guddle, and still the Tories are three points behind.

    Bit of a stinker for Farage’s lot.
    Since the Brexit Party were formed, ComRes has delivered the largest Labour leads. Their polls since April have shown Labour leads over the Conservatives of 10%, 8%, 7%, 4% and now 3%. So in terms of house effects, they are producing results at the opposite end of the spectrum to YouGov. Nonetheless, with Johnson as leader they are still producing a Conservative lead of 7% using exactly the same people who delivered a 3% Labour lead in the standard poll.
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453

    what would the EU look like in 4 decades time?

    Attractive enough that we will vote to rejoin
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826

    Boris Johnson's is a sensible position. Get a standstill agreement so we are out but still following their rules, we get no say in new rules and give them money (Theresa May's transition basically) . . . deal with NI during negotiations for the future where it should belong.

    Under the negotiated Withdrawal Agreement the Irish border is dealt with as part of the future deal too. The backstop does not deal with the Irish border. It puts a procedure in place to protect it in the event that it is not dealt with under the future arrangement. I don't get why this is so hard to understand. It's not that complicated.
    The procedure to "protect it" deals with it until we get permission to remove the procedure. That's not OK.
    Why should we be able to unilaterally decide on something that is a joint responsibility? The backstop is totally OK. What is not OK is threatening to destabilise the island of Ireland in pursuit of this absurd English nationalist project (which it turns out is actually all about kissing American arse anyway).
    We should unilaterally decide on it because we have the right to self-determination. And we have the unilateral right to withdraw from the EU which the Republic of Ireland voted for by referendum after the Good Friday Agreement. No backstop exists in Article 50.
  • StuartDicksonStuartDickson Posts: 12,146
    RobD said:

    Economic downturn 'may have begun' in Northern Ireland

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-48885176

    That’ll be one of those “Union Dividends”.

    No. the "Union Dividend" is the fat load of cash they get every year.
    Ho ho. Your beloved Union is so attractive that you have to bribe and/or threaten folk to stay in it.

    Nobody likes thugs and bullies.
  • DougSealDougSeal Posts: 12,541
    HYUFD said:

    Foxy said:

    nico67 said:

    Theresa May should summon the US Ambassador. Trump’s rantings are highly offensive and unprecedented.

    The Tories have two masters: Nigel Farage and Donald Trump. They will do nothing to upset either of them. It’s called taking back control.

    Tragic . But many Leavers seem to love being the new 51st state. When do we start celebrating thanksgiving!
    How's it any different to Europhiles loving being a state of the EU?

    I see no material difference between being a state of the USA or a state of the EU.

    At least the USA has the same language and a common culture.
    So, you support abolition of the monarchy?
    Australia, Canada and New Zealand are closer to us than the USA or Europe and both have the monarchy
    Yet another victim of the spate of rogue geography teachers who must be made to atone for their crimes. Your English teacher (‘both’ is conventionally used as an adverb or predederminer to refer to two things, not three) needs to be held to account too.
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    RobD said:

    How many people cited Trump as a motivating factor for their vote in 2017?

    How many of our Ambassadors had he sacked in 2017?
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    Scott_P said:

    what would the EU look like in 4 decades time?

    Attractive enough that we will vote to rejoin
    In the same way Canada is about to join the USA no doubt. Ha!
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,772
    RobD said:

    HYUFD said:

    https://twitter.com/DPJHodges/status/1148336402960175104

    At last, a reason to vote for Corbyn!!!! At least he wont take this idiot's phone calls.

    Trump is more popular than Corbyn with Leave voters and Tory voters in the latest Ashcroft poll

    Trump will help drive tactical voting against Tory candidates. He’s brilliant news for Corbyn.

    Let's see. How many people cited Trump as a motivating factor for their vote in 2017?
    We will see. The suspicion has to be that Boris will behave as if Trump is his best mate and fawn and scrape like there is no tomorrow.

    I can see that putting off people who believe in Britain.
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 22,131

    TGOHF said:
    1) Why is Trump drawing attention to a story that has not been getting much coverage in the US? It will now! Is it a “dead cat” to distract from something else, or just a a frustrated outburst of the man child?

    2) Trump does not get to choose HM Ambassador.
    Unfortunately, he does get to choose. If the other country digs in their heels and won't deal with the ambassador, then the ambassador has to be replaced. Sad but true.
  • DougSealDougSeal Posts: 12,541

    Scott_P said:

    what would the EU look like in 4 decades time?

    Attractive enough that we will vote to rejoin
    In the same way Canada is about to join the USA no doubt. Ha!
    Lordy - the teaching profession. Canada can’t rejoin the USA. It’s never been part of it.
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453

    In the same way Canada is about to join the USA no doubt.

    Ummm, no.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 59,936

    RobD said:

    Economic downturn 'may have begun' in Northern Ireland

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-48885176

    That’ll be one of those “Union Dividends”.

    No. the "Union Dividend" is the fat load of cash they get every year.
    Ho ho. Your beloved Union is so attractive that you have to bribe and/or threaten folk to stay in it.

    Nobody likes thugs and bullies.
    Isn't fiscal transfer a key part of an economic union?
  • GardenwalkerGardenwalker Posts: 21,298

    HYUFD said:

    https://twitter.com/DPJHodges/status/1148336402960175104

    At last, a reason to vote for Corbyn!!!! At least he wont take this idiot's phone calls.

    Trump is more popular than Corbyn with Leave voters and Tory voters in the latest Ashcroft poll
    Why are people who claim they love their country and want Brexit to restore pride and get their country back, prepared to doff the cap and bend the knee to this imbecile in the White House?

    We don't need to be the 51st state.

    We should support our ambassador.
    Why does anyone suggest Brexiters are patriots? They are intent on destroying the country. Darrochgate is yet another example.

    https://twitter.com/davidallengreen/status/1148324305245286400?s=21
  • StuartDicksonStuartDickson Posts: 12,146
    Scott_P said:

    what would the EU look like in 4 decades time?

    Attractive enough that we will vote to rejoin
    Vote to rejoin? That implies that you’ll actually manage to leave. Prices longer than EVS that it’ll happen this year either.
  • SouthamObserverSouthamObserver Posts: 39,653
    RobD said:

    HYUFD said:

    https://twitter.com/DPJHodges/status/1148336402960175104

    At last, a reason to vote for Corbyn!!!! At least he wont take this idiot's phone calls.

    Trump is more popular than Corbyn with Leave voters and Tory voters in the latest Ashcroft poll

    Trump will help drive tactical voting against Tory candidates. He’s brilliant news for Corbyn.

    Let's see. How many people cited Trump as a motivating factor for their vote in 2017?

    The Tory genuflection to Trump had only just begun and he wasn’t telling the PM who could and couldn’t represent the UK at that point either.

  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    Foxy said:

    nico67 said:

    Theresa May should summon the US Ambassador. Trump’s rantings are highly offensive and unprecedented.

    The Tories have two masters: Nigel Farage and Donald Trump. They will do nothing to upset either of them. It’s called taking back control.

    Tragic . But many Leavers seem to love being the new 51st state. When do we start celebrating thanksgiving!
    How's it any different to Europhiles loving being a state of the EU?

    I see no material difference between being a state of the USA or a state of the EU.

    At least the USA has the same language and a common culture.
    So, you support abolition of the monarchy?
    Australia, Canada and New Zealand are closer to us than the USA or Europe and both have the monarchy
    Yet another victim of the spate of rogue geography teachers who must be made to atone for their crimes. Your English teacher (‘both’ is conventionally used as an adverb or predederminer to refer to two things, not three) needs to be held to account too.
    I grew up in Australia. Culturally, politically, historically and in all ways that really matter Australia is patently much closer to the UK, USA and Canada than it is to say Papua New Guinea.

    Geography doesn't matter. Europe is our neighbours in the same way as Mexico is America's neighbours, or Japan is China's, or PNG is Australia's. Canada, Australia and NZ . . . and to a lesser extent the USA are our family.

    Its worth mentioning that our most important alliance, Five Eyes, includes no other European nation. Funny.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,772

    HYUFD said:

    https://twitter.com/DPJHodges/status/1148336402960175104

    At last, a reason to vote for Corbyn!!!! At least he wont take this idiot's phone calls.

    Trump is more popular than Corbyn with Leave voters and Tory voters in the latest Ashcroft poll
    Why are people who claim they love their country and want Brexit to restore pride and get their country back, prepared to doff the cap and bend the knee to this imbecile in the White House?

    We don't need to be the 51st state.

    We should support our ambassador.
    Why does anyone suggest Brexiters are patriots? They are intent on destroying the country. Darrochgate is yet another example.

    https://twitter.com/davidallengreen/status/1148324305245286400?s=21
    I am at @SeanT level of angry and ranting at this from Trump.

    Her Majesty's diplomatic service should make it clear that he can piss off.

    And he can forget another State Visit ever happening again, even if he manages to get himself a third term.

    Scum.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 59,936

    RobD said:

    HYUFD said:

    https://twitter.com/DPJHodges/status/1148336402960175104

    At last, a reason to vote for Corbyn!!!! At least he wont take this idiot's phone calls.

    Trump is more popular than Corbyn with Leave voters and Tory voters in the latest Ashcroft poll

    Trump will help drive tactical voting against Tory candidates. He’s brilliant news for Corbyn.

    Let's see. How many people cited Trump as a motivating factor for their vote in 2017?

    The Tory genuflection to Trump had only just begun and he wasn’t telling the PM who could and couldn’t represent the UK at that point either.

    You don't remember the whole saga about May's handholding? Surprising, given how often you posted that image!
  • CatManCatMan Posts: 3,060
    edited July 2019


    Its worth mentioning that our most important alliance, Five Eyes, includes no other European nation. Funny.

    I think our most important alliance is NATO, which has quite a few European countries in it.
  • another_richardanother_richard Posts: 26,624
    viewcode said:

    TGOHF said:
    1) Why is Trump drawing attention to a story that has not been getting much coverage in the US? It will now! Is it a “dead cat” to distract from something else, or just a a frustrated outburst of the man child?

    2) Trump does not get to choose HM Ambassador.
    Unfortunately, he does get to choose. If the other country digs in their heels and won't deal with the ambassador, then the ambassador has to be replaced. Sad but true.
    But think of the advantages.

    For example the UK is unlikely to get dragged into the next US military action if Trump is still in a huff.
  • StuartDicksonStuartDickson Posts: 12,146
    RobD said:

    RobD said:

    Economic downturn 'may have begun' in Northern Ireland

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-48885176

    That’ll be one of those “Union Dividends”.

    No. the "Union Dividend" is the fat load of cash they get every year.
    Ho ho. Your beloved Union is so attractive that you have to bribe and/or threaten folk to stay in it.

    Nobody likes thugs and bullies.
    Isn't fiscal transfer a key part of an economic union?
    You say fiscal transfer. I say bribe.

    https://www.google.se/amp/s/www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/theresa-may-dup-deal-billion-pound-bribe-magic-money-tree-criticism-latest-a7809416.html?amp
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453

    Geography doesn't matter.

    Except for trade, where it matters a lot.
  • DougSealDougSeal Posts: 12,541

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    Foxy said:

    nico67 said:

    Theresa May should summon the US Ambassador. Trump’s rantings are highly offensive and unprecedented.

    The Tories have two masters: Nigel Farage and Donald Trump. They will do nothing to upset either of them. It’s called taking back control.

    Tragic . But many Leavers seem to love being the new 51st state. When do we start celebrating thanksgiving!
    How's it any different to Europhiles loving being a state of the EU?

    I see no material difference between being a state of the USA or a state of the EU.

    At least the USA has the same language and a common culture.
    So, you support abolition of the monarchy?
    Australia, Canada and New Zealand are closer to us than the USA or Europe and both have the monarchy
    Yet another victim of the spate of rogue geography teachers who must be made to atone for their crimes. Your English teacher (‘both’ is conventionally used as an adverb or predederminer to refer to two things, not three) needs to be held to account too.
    I grew up in Australia. Culturally, politically, historically and in all ways that really matter Australia is patently much closer to the UK, USA and Canada than it is to say Papua New Guinea.

    Geography doesn't matter. Europe is our neighbours in the same way as Mexico is America's neighbours, or Japan is China's, or PNG is Australia's. Canada, Australia and NZ . . . and to a lesser extent the USA are our family.

    Its worth mentioning that our most important alliance, Five Eyes, includes no other European nation. Funny.
    I know you grew up in Australia. It explains why you fail to understand this country so comprehensively e.g. fact that you didn’t experience The Troubles first hand also explains why you would be prepared to see their return than have the backstop. We have been part of European civilization for millennia. Our association with Australia was brief and fleeting.
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    DougSeal said:

    Scott_P said:

    what would the EU look like in 4 decades time?

    Attractive enough that we will vote to rejoin
    In the same way Canada is about to join the USA no doubt. Ha!
    Lordy - the teaching profession. Canada can’t rejoin the USA. It’s never been part of it.
    Who said anything about Canada rejoining the USA?
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 22,131

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    Foxy said:

    nico67 said:

    Theresa May should summon the US Ambassador. Trump’s rantings are highly offensive and unprecedented.

    The Tories have two masters: Nigel Farage and Donald Trump. They will do nothing to upset either of them. It’s called taking back control.

    Tragic . But many Leavers seem to love being the new 51st state. When do we start celebrating thanksgiving!
    How's it any different to Europhiles loving being a state of the EU?

    I see no material difference between being a state of the USA or a state of the EU.

    At least the USA has the same language and a common culture.
    So, you support abolition of the monarchy?
    Australia, Canada and New Zealand are closer to us than the USA or Europe and both have the monarchy
    Yet another victim of the spate of rogue geography teachers who must be made to atone for their crimes. Your English teacher (‘both’ is conventionally used as an adverb or predederminer to refer to two things, not three) needs to be held to account too.
    I grew up in Australia. Culturally, politically, historically and in all ways that really matter Australia is patently much closer to the UK, USA and Canada than it is to say Papua New Guinea.

    Geography doesn't matter. Europe is our neighbours in the same way as Mexico is America's neighbours, or Japan is China's, or PNG is Australia's. Canada, Australia and NZ . . . and to a lesser extent the USA are our family.

    Its worth mentioning that our most important alliance, Five Eyes, includes no other European nation. Funny.
    Our most important alliance is NATO, IMHO
  • another_richardanother_richard Posts: 26,624

    RobD said:

    Economic downturn 'may have begun' in Northern Ireland

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-48885176

    That’ll be one of those “Union Dividends”.

    No. the "Union Dividend" is the fat load of cash they get every year.
    Ho ho. Your beloved Union is so attractive that you have to bribe and/or threaten folk to stay in it.

    Nobody likes thugs and bullies.
    I suspect more English people would rather bribe and/or threaten Northern Ireland to go away.

    :wink:
  • SouthamObserverSouthamObserver Posts: 39,653

    nico67 said:

    Theresa May should summon the US Ambassador. Trump’s rantings are highly offensive and unprecedented.

    The Tories have two masters: Nigel Farage and Donald Trump. They will do nothing to upset either of them. It’s called taking back control.

    Tragic . But many Leavers seem to love being the new 51st state. When do we start celebrating thanksgiving!
    How's it any different to Europhiles loving being a state of the EU?

    I see no material difference between being a state of the USA or a state of the EU.

    At least the USA has the same language and a common culture.

    Your inability to understand the difference between being Rhode Island within the US and France within the EU explains a great deal.

    Despite one having had the ratchett of federalism for a couple of centuries and the other for only a few decades, there are a number of areas where Rhode Island has more autonomy than France.

    Give it a few more decades/centuries and I think the distinction will be very weak.

    You said you could see no material difference. So, who leads Rhode Island’s army and its navy, who controls its nuclear deterrent, who is its ambassador to the UN, who decides its official language, who chooses its head of state, who decides when and how it can leave the US?

  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,772
    RobD said:

    RobD said:

    HYUFD said:

    https://twitter.com/DPJHodges/status/1148336402960175104

    At last, a reason to vote for Corbyn!!!! At least he wont take this idiot's phone calls.

    Trump is more popular than Corbyn with Leave voters and Tory voters in the latest Ashcroft poll

    Trump will help drive tactical voting against Tory candidates. He’s brilliant news for Corbyn.

    Let's see. How many people cited Trump as a motivating factor for their vote in 2017?

    The Tory genuflection to Trump had only just begun and he wasn’t telling the PM who could and couldn’t represent the UK at that point either.

    You don't remember the whole saga about May's handholding? Surprising, given how often you posted that image!
    It's a shame May is so dutiful and has been brought up to be polite and reserved.

    With only two weeks to go, it must be tempting to tell Trump to f**cking do one, and break open the MI6 safe with the super secret file marked 'What Trump did on a Moscow hotel bed'.
  • RobDRobD Posts: 59,936
    DougSeal said:

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    Foxy said:

    nico67 said:

    Theresa May should summon the US Ambassador. Trump’s rantings are highly offensive and unprecedented.

    The Tories have two masters: Nigel Farage and Donald Trump. They will do nothing to upset either of them. It’s called taking back control.

    Tragic . But many Leavers seem to love being the new 51st state. When do we start celebrating thanksgiving!
    How's it any different to Europhiles loving being a state of the EU?

    I see no material difference between being a state of the USA or a state of the EU.

    At least the USA has the same language and a common culture.
    So, you support abolition of the monarchy?
    Australia, Canada and New Zealand are closer to us than the USA or Europe and both have the monarchy
    Yet another victim of the spate of rogue geography teachers who must be made to atone for their crimes. Your English teacher (‘both’ is conventionally used as an adverb or predederminer to refer to two things, not three) needs to be held to account too.
    I grew up in Australia. Culturally, politically, historically and in all ways that really matter Australia is patently much closer to the UK, USA and Canada than it is to say Papua New Guinea.

    Geography doesn't matter. Europe is our neighbours in the same way as Mexico is America's neighbours, or Japan is China's, or PNG is Australia's. Canada, Australia and NZ . . . and to a lesser extent the USA are our family.

    Its worth mentioning that our most important alliance, Five Eyes, includes no other European nation. Funny.
    I know you grew up in Australia. It explains why you fail to understand this country so comprehensively e.g. fact that you didn’t experience The Troubles first hand also explains why you would be prepared to see their return than have the backstop. We have been part of European civilization for millennia. Our association with Australia was brief and fleeting.
    Yes, most of the time at war with those on the continent. Australia, on the other hand, was colonized by us, and I don't think we've ever had bellicose relations.
  • GardenwalkerGardenwalker Posts: 21,298
    edited July 2019

    HYUFD said:

    https://twitter.com/DPJHodges/status/1148336402960175104

    At last, a reason to vote for Corbyn!!!! At least he wont take this idiot's phone calls.

    Trump is more popular than Corbyn with Leave voters and Tory voters in the latest Ashcroft poll
    Why are people who claim they love their country and want Brexit to restore pride and get their country back, prepared to doff the cap and bend the knee to this imbecile in the White House?

    We don't need to be the 51st state.

    We should support our ambassador.
    Why does anyone suggest Brexiters are patriots? They are intent on destroying the country. Darrochgate is yet another example.

    https://twitter.com/davidallengreen/status/1148324305245286400?s=21
    I am at @SeanT level of angry and ranting at this from Trump.

    Her Majesty's diplomatic service should make it clear that he can piss off.

    And he can forget another State Visit ever happening again, even if he manages to get himself a third term.

    Scum.
    Trump behaves like this with everyone.

    However, if we weren’t desperate for a US free trade agreement we would find it easier to tell him to fuck off.

    This is a real example of Britain’s loss of power since the vote.
  • GardenwalkerGardenwalker Posts: 21,298
    Scott_P said:

    Geography doesn't matter.

    Except for trade, where it matters a lot.
    Flat Earthers don’t believe in gravity.
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    DougSeal said:

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    Foxy said:

    nico67 said:

    Theresa May should summon the US Ambassador. Trump’s rantings are highly offensive and unprecedented.

    The Tories have two masters: Nigel Farage and Donald Trump. They will do nothing to upset either of them. It’s called taking back control.

    Tragic . But many Leavers seem to love being the new 51st state. When do we start celebrating thanksgiving!
    How's it any different to Europhiles loving being a state of the EU?

    I see no material difference between being a state of the USA or a state of the EU.

    At least the USA has the same language and a common culture.
    So, you support abolition of the monarchy?
    Australia, Canada and New Zealand are closer to us than the USA or Europe and both have the monarchy
    Yet another victim of the spate of rogue geography teachers who must be made to atone for their crimes. Your English teacher (‘both’ is conventionally used as an adverb or predederminer to refer to two things, not three) needs to be held to account too.
    I grew up in Australia. Culturally, politically, historically and in all ways that really matter Australia is patently much closer to the UK, USA and Canada than it is to say Papua New Guinea.

    Geography doesn't matter. Europe is our neighbours in the same way as Mexico is America's neighbours, or Japan is China's, or PNG is Australia's. Canada, Australia and NZ . . . and to a lesser extent the USA are our family.

    Its worth mentioning that our most important alliance, Five Eyes, includes no other European nation. Funny.
    I know you grew up in Australia. It explains why you fail to understand this country so comprehensively e.g. fact that you didn’t experience The Troubles first hand also explains why you would be prepared to see their return than have the backstop. We have been part of European civilization for millennia. Our association with Australia was brief and fleeting.
    I was here for the Troubles. My town was bombed by the IRA when I was young.

    Yes we have a history going back millenia. Western nations share that history. Their history is our history.
  • DougSealDougSeal Posts: 12,541

    DougSeal said:

    Scott_P said:

    what would the EU look like in 4 decades time?

    Attractive enough that we will vote to rejoin
    In the same way Canada is about to join the USA no doubt. Ha!
    Lordy - the teaching profession. Canada can’t rejoin the USA. It’s never been part of it.
    Who said anything about Canada rejoining the USA?
    You did through the use of the phrase “in the same way” in relation to the verb “rejoin”.
  • StuartDicksonStuartDickson Posts: 12,146
    edited July 2019

    RobD said:

    Economic downturn 'may have begun' in Northern Ireland

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-48885176

    That’ll be one of those “Union Dividends”.

    No. the "Union Dividend" is the fat load of cash they get every year.
    Ho ho. Your beloved Union is so attractive that you have to bribe and/or threaten folk to stay in it.

    Nobody likes thugs and bullies.
    I suspect more English people would rather bribe and/or threaten Northern Ireland to go away.

    :wink:
    Well, most Conservative Party members would like to get rid of both NI and Scotland, if that would secure Brexit.

    https://www.google.se/amp/s/www.scotsman.com/news/politics/poll-majority-of-tory-members-would-accept-scottish-independence-as-price-of-brexit-1-4949043/amp
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,772
    Scott_P said:
    :+1:

    The Queen has seen it all. But she must be feeling extremely badly advised to allow this clown into her house.

    Where is our national pride? Our dignity?
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    viewcode said:

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    Foxy said:

    nico67 said:

    Theresa May should summon the US Ambassador. Trump’s rantings are highly offensive and unprecedented.

    The Tories have two masters: Nigel Farage and Donald Trump. They will do nothing to upset either of them. It’s called taking back control.

    Tragic . But many Leavers seem to love being the new 51st state. When do we start celebrating thanksgiving!
    How's it any different to Europhiles loving being a state of the EU?

    I see no material difference between being a state of the USA or a state of the EU.

    At least the USA has the same language and a common culture.
    So, you support abolition of the monarchy?
    Australia, Canada and New Zealand are closer to us than the USA or Europe and both have the monarchy
    Yet another victim of the spate of rogue geography teachers who must be made to atone for their crimes. Your English teacher (‘both’ is conventionally used as an adverb or predederminer to refer to two things, not three) needs to be held to account too.
    I grew up in Australia. Culturally, politically, historically and in all ways that really matter Australia is patently much closer to the UK, USA and Canada than it is to say Papua New Guinea.

    Geography doesn't matter. Europe is our neighbours in the same way as Mexico is America's neighbours, or Japan is China's, or PNG is Australia's. Canada, Australia and NZ . . . and to a lesser extent the USA are our family.

    Its worth mentioning that our most important alliance, Five Eyes, includes no other European nation. Funny.
    Our most important alliance is NATO, IMHO
    NATO is second-most important IMHO. And the work we have done with FiveEyes has underpinned NATO for decades even since before NATO was founded.
  • DougSealDougSeal Posts: 12,541
    RobD said:

    DougSeal said:

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    Foxy said:

    nico67 said:

    Theresa May should summon the US Ambassador. Trump’s rantings are highly offensive and unprecedented.

    The Tories have two masters: Nigel Farage and Donald Trump. They will do nothing to upset either of them. It’s called taking back control.

    Tragic . But many Leavers seem to love being the new 51st state. When do we start celebrating thanksgiving!
    How's it any different to Europhiles loving being a state of the EU?

    I see no material difference between being a state of the USA or a state of the EU.

    At least the USA has the same language and a common culture.
    So, you support abolition of the monarchy?
    Australia, Canada and New Zealand are closer to us than the USA or Europe and both have the monarchy
    Yet another victim of the spate of rogue geography teachers who must be made to atone for their crimes. Your English teacher (‘both’ is conventionally used as an adverb or predederminer to refer to two things, not three) needs to be held to account too.
    I grew up in Australia. Culturally, politically, historically and in all ways that really matter Australia is patently much closer to the UK, USA and Canada than it is to say Papua New Guinea.

    Geography doesn't matter. Europe is our neighbours in the same way as Mexico is America's neighbours, or Japan is China's, or PNG is Australia's. Canada, Australia and NZ . . . and to a lesser extent the USA are our family.

    Its worth mentioning that our most important alliance, Five Eyes, includes no other European nation. Funny.
    I know you grew up in Australia. It explains why you fail to understand this country so comprehensively e.g. fact that you didn’t experience The Troubles first hand also explains why you would be prepared to see their return than have the backstop. We have been part of European civilization for millennia. Our association with Australia was brief and fleeting.
    Yes, most of the time at war with those on the continent. Australia, on the other hand, was colonized by us, and I don't think we've ever had bellicose relations.
    Tell that to the people living there when we arrived.
  • another_richardanother_richard Posts: 26,624
    Out of interest have any other ambassadors used inconvenient language about Trump (or for that matter other leaders) or do they just have fewer leaks than St Davids day ?
  • SouthamObserverSouthamObserver Posts: 39,653
    RobD said:

    RobD said:

    HYUFD said:

    https://twitter.com/DPJHodges/status/1148336402960175104

    At last, a reason to vote for Corbyn!!!! At least he wont take this idiot's phone calls.

    Trump is more popular than Corbyn with Leave voters and Tory voters in the latest Ashcroft poll

    Trump will help drive tactical voting against Tory candidates. He’s brilliant news for Corbyn.

    Let's see. How many people cited Trump as a motivating factor for their vote in 2017?

    The Tory genuflection to Trump had only just begun and he wasn’t telling the PM who could and couldn’t represent the UK at that point either.

    You don't remember the whole saga about May's handholding? Surprising, given how often you posted that image!

    I remember it clearly. That was the start. We’re now a lot further down the route to complete subservience. But if you choose to believe Tory genuflection to Trump will not harm them electorally, so be it. I think you might be surprised.

  • DougSealDougSeal Posts: 12,541

    DougSeal said:

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    Foxy said:

    nico67 said:

    Theresa May should summon the US Ambassador. Trump’s rantings are highly offensive and unprecedented.

    The Tories have two masters: Nigel Farage and Donald Trump. They will do nothing to upset either of them. It’s called taking back control.

    Tragic . But many Leavers seem to love being the new 51st state. When do we start celebrating thanksgiving!
    How's it any different to Europhiles loving being a state of the EU?

    I see no material difference between being a state of the USA or a state of the EU.

    At least the USA has the same language and a common culture.
    So, you support abolition of the monarchy?
    Australia, Canada and New Zealand are closer to us than the USA or Europe and both have the monarchy
    Yet another victim of the spate of rogue geography teachers who must be made to atone for their crimes. Your English teacher (‘both’ is conventionally used as an adverb or predederminer to refer to two things, not three) needs to be held to account too.
    I grew up in Australia. Culturally, politically, historically and in all ways that really matter Australia is patently much closer to the UK, USA and Canada than it is to say Papua New Guinea.

    Geography doesn't matter. Europe is our neighbours in the same way as Mexico is America's neighbours, or Japan is China's, or PNG is Australia's. Canada, Australia and NZ . . . and to a lesser extent the USA are our family.

    Its worth mentioning that our most important alliance, Five Eyes, includes no other European nation. Funny.
    I know you grew up in Australia. It explains why you fail to understand this country so comprehensively e.g. fact that you didn’t experience The Troubles first hand also explains why you would be prepared to see their return than have the backstop. We have been part of European civilization for millennia. Our association with Australia was brief and fleeting.
    I was here for the Troubles. My town was bombed by the IRA when I was young.

    Yes we have a history going back millenia. Western nations share that history. Their history is our history.

    “When you were young” - too young to remember I’d wager or you would not be so blasé about it.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,772
    The UK should recall its Ambassador to the US and cease co-operation at all levels.

    Let's see how the US Deep State reacts to that.
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,237
    edited July 2019
    RobD said:

    Boris Johnson's is a sensible position. Get a standstill agreement so we are out but still following their rules, we get no say in new rules and give them money (Theresa May's transition basically) . . . deal with NI during negotiations for the future where it should belong.

    Under the negotiated Withdrawal Agreement the Irish border is dealt with as part of the future deal too. The backstop does not deal with the Irish border. It puts a procedure in place to protect it in the event that it is not dealt with under the future arrangement. I don't get why this is so hard to understand. It's not that complicated.
    I think the problem is that the EU might view the backstop as the preferred outcome. That would hardly motivate them towards negotiating an actual future deal, would it.
    Well, that was always my objection to the backstop. But that was dealt with between the seoncd and third variants of the Withdrawal Agreement where binding international arbitration was added.

    If the EU (a) does not enter into FTA discussions in good faith, or (b) does not work to implement a technical solution, then we can take it to international arbitration.

    A better way of thinking about this is that the Withdrawal Agreement places burdens on both the EU and the UK. If the EU does not fulfil its obligations, then there is a clear way for us to exit.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,772
    At what point do Brexiteers stop fawning and grovelling on the ground and stand up for the UK against Trump?
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,720
    RobD said:

    DougSeal said:

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    Foxy said:

    nico67 said:

    Theresa May should summon the US Ambassador. Trump’s rantings are highly offensive and unprecedented.

    The Tories have two masters: Nigel Farage and Donald Trump. They will do nothing to upset either of them. It’s called taking back control.

    Tragic . But many Leavers seem to love being the new 51st state. When do we start celebrating thanksgiving!
    How's it any different to Europhiles loving being a state of the EU?

    I see no material difference between being a state of the USA or a state of the EU.

    At least the USA has the same language and a common culture.
    So, you support abolition of the monarchy?
    Australia, Canada and New Zealand are closer to us than the USA or Europe and both have the monarchy
    Yet another victim of the spate of rogue geography teachers who must be made to atone for their crimes. Your English teacher (‘both’ is conventionally used as an adverb or predederminer to refer to two things, not three) needs to be held to account too.
    I grew up in Australia. Culturally, politically, historically and in all ways that really matter Australia is patently much closer to the UK, USA and Canada than it is to say Papua New Guinea.

    Geography doesn't matter. Europe is our neighbours in the same way as Mexico is America's neighbours, or Japan is China's, or PNG is Australia's. Canada, Australia and NZ . . . and to a lesser extent the USA are our family.

    Its worth mentioning that our most important alliance, Five Eyes, includes no other European nation. Funny.
    I know you grew up in Australia. It explains why you fail to understand this country so comprehensively e.g. fact that you didn’t experience The Troubles first hand also explains why you would be prepared to see their return than have the backstop. We have been part of European civilization for millennia. Our association with Australia was brief and fleeting.
    Yes, most of the time at war with those on the continent. Australia, on the other hand, was colonized by us, and I don't think we've ever had bellicose relations.
    Do you count Scotland as “those on the continent” or “us”?
  • CatManCatMan Posts: 3,060


    NATO is second-most important IMHO...

    So you accept that it's a very important alliance for us then?

  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    DougSeal said:

    DougSeal said:

    Scott_P said:

    what would the EU look like in 4 decades time?

    Attractive enough that we will vote to rejoin
    In the same way Canada is about to join the USA no doubt. Ha!
    Lordy - the teaching profession. Canada can’t rejoin the USA. It’s never been part of it.
    Who said anything about Canada rejoining the USA?
    You did through the use of the phrase “in the same way” in relation to the verb “rejoin”.
    No, I used the phrase in relation to the verb "join" which was in the sentence I wrote. You may want to look up the world "analogy" before you try and nitpick people as you're wrong here.
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,720
    rcs1000 said:

    RobD said:

    Boris Johnson's is a sensible position. Get a standstill agreement so we are out but still following their rules, we get no say in new rules and give them money (Theresa May's transition basically) . . . deal with NI during negotiations for the future where it should belong.

    Under the negotiated Withdrawal Agreement the Irish border is dealt with as part of the future deal too. The backstop does not deal with the Irish border. It puts a procedure in place to protect it in the event that it is not dealt with under the future arrangement. I don't get why this is so hard to understand. It's not that complicated.
    I think the problem is that the EU might view the backstop as the preferred outcome. That would hardly motivate them towards negotiating an actual future deal, would it.
    Well, that was always my objection to the backstop. But that was dealt with between the seoncd and third variants of the Withdrawal Agreement where binding international arbitration was added.

    If the EU (a) does not enter into FTA discussions in good faith, or (b) does not work to implement a technical solution, then we can take it to international arbitration.

    A better way of thinking about this is that the Withdrawal Agreement places burdens on both the EU and the UK. If the EU does not fulfil its obligations, then there is a clear way for us to exit.
    Please give me a precise quote from the WA where it specifies that alternative arrangements must mean a technical solution.
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    CatMan said:


    NATO is second-most important IMHO...

    So you accept that it's a very important alliance for us then?

    Of course!

    Five Eyes > NATO > The EU
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,772

    RobD said:

    RobD said:

    HYUFD said:

    https://twitter.com/DPJHodges/status/1148336402960175104

    At last, a reason to vote for Corbyn!!!! At least he wont take this idiot's phone calls.

    Trump is more popular than Corbyn with Leave voters and Tory voters in the latest Ashcroft poll

    Trump will help drive tactical voting against Tory candidates. He’s brilliant news for Corbyn.

    Let's see. How many people cited Trump as a motivating factor for their vote in 2017?

    The Tory genuflection to Trump had only just begun and he wasn’t telling the PM who could and couldn’t represent the UK at that point either.

    You don't remember the whole saga about May's handholding? Surprising, given how often you posted that image!

    I remember it clearly. That was the start. We’re now a lot further down the route to complete subservience. But if you choose to believe Tory genuflection to Trump will not harm them electorally, so be it. I think you might be surprised.

    Strikes me that what used to be known as the Conservative party has descended into an increasingly small echo chamber without contact with the real world.

    Maybe the Swinson as PM thread header is not totally bonkers after all.
  • FF43FF43 Posts: 17,208
    Jeremy Hunt appears to know who leaked the Darroch emails and it won't be the Russians.


    https://twitter.com/tnewtondunn/status/1148339719262089216
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 28,490
    Scott_P said:
    What can we do in the EU, ask Uncle Juncker to get on the phone and give Donald a good talking to?
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,237
    edited July 2019

    Out of interest have any other ambassadors used inconvenient language about Trump (or for that matter other leaders) or do they just have fewer leaks than St Davids day ?

    I'm fairly sure that the US Ambassador to the UK will have been fairly rude about Theresa May and Boris Johnson in private cables. (And I'm fairly sure that ambassasors refer to politicians and heads of state in undiplomatic language all the time.)

    The correct thing for the US President to have done was to reach out to HMG in private, and let them know sotto voce that he couldn't continue to deal with an Ambassador who was known to have such views. The UK could then have quietly shuffled him off to another role; perhaps a promotion back home. And the US would have gotten what it wanted, and no feathers would have been ruffled.

    Instead, the US has chosen to make a big thing of something that Ambassadors do all the time. (Albeit not splashed all over the press.)

    Under these circumstances, I now really don't think we have any choice but to leave him in place under the end of his term in six months time. Simply, the UK can't be bossed around on Twitter.
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453

    At what point do Brexiteers stop fawning and grovelling on the ground and stand up for the UK against Trump?

    Never
  • viewcode said:

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    Foxy said:

    nico67 said:

    Theresa May should summon the US Ambassador. Trump’s rantings are highly offensive and unprecedented.

    The Tories have two masters: Nigel Farage and Donald Trump. They will do nothing to upset either of them. It’s called taking back control.

    Tragic . But many Leavers seem to love being the new 51st state. When do we start celebrating thanksgiving!
    How's it any different to Europhiles loving being a state of the EU?

    I see no material difference between being a state of the USA or a state of the EU.

    At least the USA has the same language and a common culture.
    So, you support abolition of the monarchy?
    Australia, Canada and New Zealand are closer to us than the USA or Europe and both have the monarchy
    Yet another victim of the spate of rogue geography teachers who must be made to atone for their crimes. Your English teacher (‘both’ is conventionally used as an adverb or predederminer to refer to two things, not three) needs to be held to account too.
    I grew up in Australia. Culturally, politically, historically and in all ways that really matter Australia is patently much closer to the UK, USA and Canada than it is to say Papua New Guinea.

    Geography doesn't matter. Europe is our neighbours in the same way as Mexico is America's neighbours, or Japan is China's, or PNG is Australia's. Canada, Australia and NZ . . . and to a lesser extent the USA are our family.

    Its worth mentioning that our most important alliance, Five Eyes, includes no other European nation. Funny.
    Our most important alliance is NATO, IMHO
    NATO is comprised of hangers on who couldn't defend a sandcastle.

    Five Eyes is the real business.
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826
    DougSeal said:

    DougSeal said:

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    Foxy said:

    nico67 said:

    Theresa May should summon the US Ambassador. Trump’s rantings are highly offensive and unprecedented.

    The Tories have two masters: Nigel Farage and Donald Trump. They will do nothing to upset either of them. It’s called taking back control.

    Tragic . But many Leavers seem to love being the new 51st state. When do we start celebrating thanksgiving!
    How's it any different to Europhiles loving being a state of the EU?

    I see no material difference between being a state of the USA or a state of the EU.

    At least the USA has the same language and a common culture.
    So, you support abolition of the monarchy?
    Australia, Canada and New Zealand are closer to us than the USA or Europe and both have the monarchy
    Yet another victim of the spate of rogue geography teachers who must be made to atone for their crimes. Your English teacher (‘both’ is conventionally used as an adverb or predederminer to refer to two things, not three) needs to be held to account too.
    I grew up in Australia. Culturally, politically, historically and in all ways that really matter Australia is patently much closer to the UK, USA and Canada than it is to say Papua New Guinea.

    Geography doesn't matter. Europe is our neighbours in the same way as Mexico is America's neighbours, or Japan is China's, or PNG is Australia's. Canada, Australia and NZ . . . and to a lesser extent the USA are our family.

    Its worth mentioning that our most important alliance, Five Eyes, includes no other European nation. Funny.
    I know you grew up in Australia. It explains why you fail to understand this country so comprehensively e.g. fact that you didn’t experience The Troubles first hand also explains why you would be prepared to see their return than have the backstop. We have been part of European civilization for millennia. Our association with Australia was brief and fleeting.
    I was here for the Troubles. My town was bombed by the IRA when I was young.

    Yes we have a history going back millenia. Western nations share that history. Their history is our history.

    “When you were young” - too young to remember I’d wager or you would not be so blasé about it.
    No. I was 10 when the IRA decided to murder a 12 year old and 3 year old in my town. I'm not blasé about those bastards at all.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,772

    HYUFD said:

    https://twitter.com/DPJHodges/status/1148336402960175104

    At last, a reason to vote for Corbyn!!!! At least he wont take this idiot's phone calls.

    Trump is more popular than Corbyn with Leave voters and Tory voters in the latest Ashcroft poll
    Why are people who claim they love their country and want Brexit to restore pride and get their country back, prepared to doff the cap and bend the knee to this imbecile in the White House?

    We don't need to be the 51st state.

    We should support our ambassador.
    Why does anyone suggest Brexiters are patriots? They are intent on destroying the country. Darrochgate is yet another example.

    https://twitter.com/davidallengreen/status/1148324305245286400?s=21
    I am at @SeanT level of angry and ranting at this from Trump.

    Her Majesty's diplomatic service should make it clear that he can piss off.

    And he can forget another State Visit ever happening again, even if he manages to get himself a third term.

    Scum.
    Trump behaves like this with everyone.

    However, if we weren’t desperate for a US free trade agreement we would find it easier to tell him to fuck off.

    This is a real example of Britain’s loss of power since the vote.
    Yep. The deluded Atlantists within the Tory party have fallen for fantasy.
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    rcs1000 said:

    Under these circumstances, I now really don't think we have any choice but to leave him in place under the end of his term in six months time. Simply, the UK can't be bossed around on Twitter.

    Can't afford to upset the man-baby either
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 51,720

    viewcode said:

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    Foxy said:

    nico67 said:

    Theresa May should summon the US Ambassador. Trump’s rantings are highly offensive and unprecedented.

    The Tories have two masters: Nigel Farage and Donald Trump. They will do nothing to upset either of them. It’s called taking back control.

    Tragic . But many Leavers seem to love being the new 51st state. When do we start celebrating thanksgiving!
    How's it any different to Europhiles loving being a state of the EU?

    I see no material difference between being a state of the USA or a state of the EU.

    At least the USA has the same language and a common culture.
    So, you support abolition of the monarchy?
    Australia, Canada and New Zealand are closer to us than the USA or Europe and both have the monarchy
    Yet another victim of the spate of rogue geography teachers who must be made to atone for their crimes. Your English teacher (‘both’ is conventionally used as an adverb or predederminer to refer to two things, not three) needs to be held to account too.
    I grew up in Australia. Culturally, politically, historically and in all ways that really matter Australia is patently much closer to the UK, USA and Canada than it is to say Papua New Guinea.

    Geography doesn't matter. Europe is our neighbours in the same way as Mexico is America's neighbours, or Japan is China's, or PNG is Australia's. Canada, Australia and NZ . . . and to a lesser extent the USA are our family.

    Its worth mentioning that our most important alliance, Five Eyes, includes no other European nation. Funny.
    Our most important alliance is NATO, IMHO
    NATO is comprised of hangers on who couldn't defend a sandcastle.

    Five Eyes is the real business.
    I don’t think Enoch would approve of us sharing our intelligence with a hostile power like the USA.
  • Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453

    What can we do in the EU, ask Uncle Juncker to get on the phone and give Donald a good talking to?

    If we hadn't told our largest market to fuck off we wouldn't need to grovel to Trump instead
  • another_richardanother_richard Posts: 26,624

    Scott_P said:
    :+1:

    The Queen has seen it all. But she must be feeling extremely badly advised to allow this clown into her house.

    Where is our national pride? Our dignity?
    Say what you like about Trump but he's not tinpot - which makes the handling of him a lot more important.

    Anyway given that the Queen has hosted Mobuto, Ceausescu, Mugabe, Banda and various Saudis I doubt even Trump could surprise too much.

    Wasn't there some story of an Arab visitor who pissed on the Buck Palace carpet ?
  • viewcodeviewcode Posts: 22,131
    RobD said:

    DougSeal said:

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    Foxy said:

    nico67 said:

    Theresa May should summon the US Ambassador. Trump’s rantings are highly offensive and unprecedented.

    The Tories have two masters: Nigel Farage and Donald Trump. They will do nothing to upset either of them. It’s called taking back control.

    Tragic . But many Leavers seem to love being the new 51st state. When do we start celebrating thanksgiving!
    How's it any different to Europhiles loving being a state of the EU?

    I see no material difference between being a state of the USA or a state of the EU.

    At least the USA has the same language and a common culture.
    So, you support abolition of the monarchy?
    Australia, Canada and New Zealand are closer to us than the USA or Europe and both have the monarchy
    Yet another victim of the spate of rogue geography teachers who must be made to atone for their crimes. Your English teacher (‘both’ is conventionally used as an adverb or predederminer to refer to two things, not three) needs to be held to account too.
    I grew up in Australia. Culturally, politically, historically and in all ways that really matter Australia is patently much closer to the UK, USA and Canada than it is to say Papua New Guinea.

    Geography doesn't matter. Europe is our neighbours in the same way as Mexico is America's neighbours, or Japan is China's, or PNG is Australia's. Canada, Australia and NZ . . . and to a lesser extent the USA are our family.

    Its worth mentioning that our most important alliance, Five Eyes, includes no other European nation. Funny.
    I know you grew up in Australia. It explains why you fail to understand this country so comprehensively e.g. fact that you didn’t experience The Troubles first hand also explains why you would be prepared to see their return than have the backstop. We have been part of European civilization for millennia. Our association with Australia was brief and fleeting.
    Yes, most of the time at war with those on the continent. Australia, on the other hand, was colonized by us, and I don't think we've ever had bellicose relations.
    Australia did somewhat disengage from the UK in WW2. Churchill wanted it and the Royal Navy to concentrate on the European theatre, they wanted to concentrate on Japan. An Australian Prime Minister fell as a result and the Aussies refocused.
  • MaxPBMaxPB Posts: 38,868
    Tbh, Darroch is a fool, the person who leaked it should be strung up and a Bozza would have replaced Darroch either way.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,772
    https://twitter.com/iainmartin1/status/1148347485057892353

    This. The UK interest in the Brexiteer world is to be the crappiest state in the Union.

    How have people fallen for this snake oil crap?
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    CatMan said:

    Donald Trump is within his rights to treat the UK ambassador as persona non grata in the circumstances. It’s a move lacking class but he’s hardly long on class to start off with.

    But, but, but, "The Special Relationship"!!!!! :lol:
    The Special Relationship is nothing to do with the ambassador

    It refers solely to the embedding of liaison officers within the intelligence functions of our respective services
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,772
    Banks: We want out of the EU as it is becoming a United States of Europe.

    Banks: I would cut my own head off in order to become a satellite of the United States.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,772
    MaxPB said:

    Tbh, Darroch is a fool, the person who leaked it should be strung up and a Bozza would have replaced Darroch either way.

    Why is Darroch a fool?
  • another_richardanother_richard Posts: 26,624
    rcs1000 said:

    Out of interest have any other ambassadors used inconvenient language about Trump (or for that matter other leaders) or do they just have fewer leaks than St Davids day ?

    I'm fairly sure that the US Ambassador to the UK will have been fairly rude about Theresa May and Boris Johnson in private cables. (And I'm fairly sure that ambassasors refer to politicians and heads of state in undiplomatic language all the time.)

    The correct thing for the US President to have done was to reach out to HMG in private, and let them know sotto voce that he couldn't continue to deal with an Ambassador who was known to have such views. The UK could then have quietly shuffled him off to another role; perhaps a promotion back home. And the US would have gotten what it wanted, and no feathers would have been ruffled.

    Instead, the US has chosen to make a big thing of something that Ambassadors do all the time. (Albeit not splashed all over the press.)

    Under these circumstances, I now really don't think we have any choice but to leave him in place under the end of his term in six months time. Simply, the UK can't be bossed around on Twitter.
    Is Twatter the most malign product of the IT age ?

    Imagine having it during the Cold War.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,772
    Scott_P said:

    At what point do Brexiteers stop fawning and grovelling on the ground and stand up for the UK against Trump?

    Never
    So, not as patriotic as they make out then?
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826

    MaxPB said:

    Tbh, Darroch is a fool, the person who leaked it should be strung up and a Bozza would have replaced Darroch either way.

    Why is Darroch a fool?
    Either Darroch was so ignorant he thought what he was writing couldn't be leaked ...
    ... or he was so ignorant as to think if leaked it wouldn't piss off our most important ally
    ... or he knew it could be leaked and would piss off our ally but didn't care.

    None of those seem positive.
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 28,490
    MaxPB said:

    Tbh, Darroch is a fool, the person who leaked it should be strung up and a Bozza would have replaced Darroch either way.

    He really is an idiot. We are British, we have a wonderful language - there are a million ways you can say what he said and make it perfectly plain to the reader whilst at the same time the words are totally innocuous. What the ambassador did was give way to vituperation and indulge in passing judgement. It is amateur hour stuff. And this is one of the highest offices in the entire diplomatic service. But what do you expect when you employ a man named Kim?
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,772
    FF43 said:

    Jeremy Hunt appears to know who leaked the Darroch emails and it won't be the Russians.


    https://twitter.com/tnewtondunn/status/1148339719262089216

    Why don't they ask Trump? He will know whether his old pal Putin was involved.
  • SouthamObserverSouthamObserver Posts: 39,653
    rcs1000 said:

    Out of interest have any other ambassadors used inconvenient language about Trump (or for that matter other leaders) or do they just have fewer leaks than St Davids day ?

    I'm fairly sure that the US Ambassador to the UK will have been fairly rude about Theresa May and Boris Johnson in private cables. (And I'm fairly sure that ambassasors refer to politicians and heads of state in undiplomatic language all the time.)

    The correct thing for the US President to have done was to reach out to HMG in private, and let them know sotto voce that he couldn't continue to deal with an Ambassador who was known to have such views. The UK could then have quietly shuffled him off to another role; perhaps a promotion back home. And the US would have gotten what it wanted, and no feathers would have been ruffled.

    Instead, the US has chosen to make a big thing of something that Ambassadors do all the time. (Albeit not splashed all over the press.)

    Under these circumstances, I now really don't think we have any choice but to leave him in place under the end of his term in six months time. Simply, the UK can't be bossed around on Twitter.

    The US Embassy allowed this to be filmed, so you can bet there’s a hell of a lot more being said behind closed doors.
    https://twitter.com/damocrat/status/1148161708999004161?s=21
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,772

    MaxPB said:

    Tbh, Darroch is a fool, the person who leaked it should be strung up and a Bozza would have replaced Darroch either way.

    He really is an idiot. We are British, we have a wonderful language - there are a million ways you can say what he said and make it perfectly plain to the reader whilst at the same time the words are totally innocuous. What the ambassador did was give way to vituperation and indulge in passing judgement. It is amateur hour stuff. And this is one of the highest offices in the entire diplomatic service. But what do you expect when you employ a man named Kim?
    Crap.

    If you go down this route then there is no point having any diplomatic cables at all.
  • SouthamObserverSouthamObserver Posts: 39,653
    I am old enough to remember when a President with brown skin was condemned for talking about queues. Now, it seems, a President with orange skin can tell the UK who it can and cannot have representing it.
  • Luckyguy1983Luckyguy1983 Posts: 28,490

    RobD said:

    Economic downturn 'may have begun' in Northern Ireland

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-48885176

    That’ll be one of those “Union Dividends”.

    No. the "Union Dividend" is the fat load of cash they get every year.
    Ho ho. Your beloved Union is so attractive that you have to bribe and/or threaten folk to stay in it.

    Nobody likes thugs and bullies.
    Calm down Mr armchair warrior, I think you'll find Rob D hasn't bribed or bullied anyone. Jeesh. Get help.
  • Philip_ThompsonPhilip_Thompson Posts: 65,826

    MaxPB said:

    Tbh, Darroch is a fool, the person who leaked it should be strung up and a Bozza would have replaced Darroch either way.

    He really is an idiot. We are British, we have a wonderful language - there are a million ways you can say what he said and make it perfectly plain to the reader whilst at the same time the words are totally innocuous. What the ambassador did was give way to vituperation and indulge in passing judgement. It is amateur hour stuff. And this is one of the highest offices in the entire diplomatic service. But what do you expect when you employ a man named Kim?
    The language ironically is rather undiplomatic.

    But its 2019, Wikileaks was years ago and stuff has been leaking for a very long time now. This leaking shouldn't be too surprising. Realistically now diplomats should be aware what they are writing can be leaked.
  • another_richardanother_richard Posts: 26,624

    Out of interest have any other ambassadors used inconvenient language about Trump (or for that matter other leaders) or do they just have fewer leaks than St Davids day ?

    More leaky than St Davids day.

    I really like that as a saying - is that original or has someone used it before ?
  • AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    O/T

    "The Anglophone conflict

    Bitter and violent clashes between the English and French-speaking parts of Cameroon""

    https://news.sky.com/story/an-english-speaking-crisis-inside-cameroons-brutal-complex-conflict-11758928
  • SouthamObserverSouthamObserver Posts: 39,653
    The real irony, of course, is that No Deal will actually make our relationship with the US worse, thanks to the power and reach of the Irish-American lobby.
  • nielhnielh Posts: 1,307
    rcs1000 said:

    Out of interest have any other ambassadors used inconvenient language about Trump (or for that matter other leaders) or do they just have fewer leaks than St Davids day ?

    I'm fairly sure that the US Ambassador to the UK will have been fairly rude about Theresa May and Boris Johnson in private cables. (And I'm fairly sure that ambassasors refer to politicians and heads of state in undiplomatic language all the time.)

    The correct thing for the US President to have done was to reach out to HMG in private, and let them know sotto voce that he couldn't continue to deal with an Ambassador who was known to have such views. The UK could then have quietly shuffled him off to another role; perhaps a promotion back home. And the US would have gotten what it wanted, and no feathers would have been ruffled.

    Instead, the US has chosen to make a big thing of something that Ambassadors do all the time. (Albeit not splashed all over the press.)

    Under these circumstances, I now really don't think we have any choice but to leave him in place under the end of his term in six months time. Simply, the UK can't be bossed around on Twitter.
    I think in reality we will find that we have no choice but to replace him.
  • rottenboroughrottenborough Posts: 62,772

    MaxPB said:

    Tbh, Darroch is a fool, the person who leaked it should be strung up and a Bozza would have replaced Darroch either way.

    Why is Darroch a fool?
    Either Darroch was so ignorant he thought what he was writing couldn't be leaked ...
    ... or he was so ignorant as to think if leaked it wouldn't piss off our most important ally
    ... or he knew it could be leaked and would piss off our ally but didn't care.

    None of those seem positive.
    I am pretty sure that all our diplomatic staff operate under the idea that what they cable London will not be leaked. How on earth do you expect them to do their jobs?

    How many diplomatic cables have been leaked to the press in, say, the last twenty years?
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 53,865

    MaxPB said:

    Tbh, Darroch is a fool, the person who leaked it should be strung up and a Bozza would have replaced Darroch either way.

    Why is Darroch a fool?
    Either Darroch was so ignorant he thought what he was writing couldn't be leaked ...
    ... or he was so ignorant as to think if leaked it wouldn't piss off our most important ally
    ... or he knew it could be leaked and would piss off our ally but didn't care.

    None of those seem positive.
    You also have to wonder if he thought he was passing on genuinely useful intelligence to HMG who perhaps had not noticed how dysfunctional the White House is with its current inhabitant (In fairness glass houses and stones come to mind).

    Or was he just indulging himself?
  • HYUFDHYUFD Posts: 123,156

    RobD said:

    DougSeal said:

    DougSeal said:

    HYUFD said:

    Foxy said:

    nico67 said:

    Theresa May should summon the US Ambassador. Trump’s rantings are highly offensive and unprecedented.

    The Tories have two masters: Nigel Farage and Donald Trump. They will do nothing to upset either of them. It’s called taking back control.

    Tragic . But many Leavers seem to love being the new 51st state. When do we start celebrating thanksgiving!
    How's it any different to Europhiles loving being a state of the EU?

    I see no material difference between being a state of the USA or a state of the EU.

    At least the USA has the same language and a common culture.
    So, you support abolition of the monarchy?
    Australia, Canada and New Zealand are closer to us than the USA or Europe and both have the monarchy
    Yet another victim of the spate of rogue geography teachers who must be made to atone for their crimes. Your English teacher (‘both’ is conventionally used as an adverb or predederminer to refer to two things, not three) needs to be held to account too.
    I grew up in Australia. Culturally, politically, historically and in all ways that really matter Australia is patently much closer to the UK, USA and Canada than it is to say Papua New Guinea.

    Geography doesn't matter. Europe is our neighbours in the same way as Mexico is America's neighbours, or Japan is China's, or PNG is Australia's. Canada, Australia and NZ . . . and to a lesser extent the USA are our family.

    Its worth mentioning that our most important alliance, Five Eyes, includes no other European nation. Funny.
    I know you grew up in Australia. It explains why you fail to understand this country so comprehensively e.g. fact that you didn’t experience The Troubles first hand also explains why you would be prepared to see their return than have the backstop. We have been part of European civilization for millennia. Our association with Australia was brief and fleeting.
    Yes, most of the time at war with those on the continent. Australia, on the other hand, was colonized by us, and I don't think we've ever had bellicose relations.
    Do you count Scotland as “those on the continent” or “us”?
    England has fought more wars with Scotland than any other nation, bar France.

    However as the UK we have fought none between us (bar the Jacobite rebellion when half the Hanoverian army was Scottish lowlanders)
  • DougSealDougSeal Posts: 12,541
    edited July 2019
    Deleted - I got very very angry with @Philip_Thompson and have counted to 10
  • rcs1000rcs1000 Posts: 57,237

    MaxPB said:

    Tbh, Darroch is a fool, the person who leaked it should be strung up and a Bozza would have replaced Darroch either way.

    Why is Darroch a fool?
    Either Darroch was so ignorant he thought what he was writing couldn't be leaked ...
    ... or he was so ignorant as to think if leaked it wouldn't piss off our most important ally
    ... or he knew it could be leaked and would piss off our ally but didn't care.

    None of those seem positive.
    I think our ambassadors write fairly frank stuff about heads of state and politicians all the time. Do you really think there's not an email out there from a UK diplomat complaining of Juncker's drinking? Or disparaging Merkel for being parochial? Or perhaps saying that Macron is arrogant and out of touch.

    And I'm certain that when Obama was President, there will have been a dispatch about how his Kenyan father caused him to resent the British, etc.

    Do we demand that our diplomats never say what they think because of the risk of leaks?
This discussion has been closed.