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I am looking forward to meeting @SteveBarclay in Brussels on Mon evening. I will listen to how the UK sees the way through. The EU will not reopen the Withdrawal Agreement. But I will reaffirm our openness to rework the Political Declaration in full respect of #EUCO guidelines.
Comments
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MPs, huh? All fart and no follow through....0
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Second like Labour and Remain...0
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Nah. Third like Remain.
Or fourth like the other version of Remain.
Or fifth like...
Or 27th, like the version they were pushing 18 months ago that vanished.
Or..0 -
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I can completely understand the inertia of the "big name" moderate Labour backbench MPs - the former ministers and former shadow ministers. In their own minds they're still the next shadow cabinet in waiting and they, probably wrongly, believe they can get their party back. That and the fact that it's emotionally and psychologically very difficult to choose to leave any political party - a fact that people who are not members of political parties often fail to comprehend and it's why major splits in political parties are pretty rare.0
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They doubt they can break through on first past the post against established parties.Torby_Fennel said:I can completely understand the inertia of the "big name" moderate Labour backbench MPs - the former ministers and former shadow ministers. In their own minds they're still the next shadow cabinet in waiting and they, probably wrongly, believe they can get their party back. That and the fact that it's emotionally and psychologically very difficult to choose to leave any political party - a fact that people who are not members of political parties often fail to comprehend and it's why major splits in political parties are pretty rare.
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There are few, if any cases, from the last century of anyone successfully doing so. 28 Labour MP's defected to the SDP n the early 80's; how many held their seats?dots said:
They doubt they can break through on first past the post against established parties.Torby_Fennel said:I can completely understand the inertia of the "big name" moderate Labour backbench MPs - the former ministers and former shadow ministers. In their own minds they're still the next shadow cabinet in waiting and they, probably wrongly, believe they can get their party back. That and the fact that it's emotionally and psychologically very difficult to choose to leave any political party - a fact that people who are not members of political parties often fail to comprehend and it's why major splits in political parties are pretty rare.
How many National Liberal MP's were there after 1935 who were not, in effect, Conservatives.0 -
So, if we crash out we can blame FPTP?dots said:
They doubt they can break through on first past the post against established parties.Torby_Fennel said:I can completely understand the inertia of the "big name" moderate Labour backbench MPs - the former ministers and former shadow ministers. In their own minds they're still the next shadow cabinet in waiting and they, probably wrongly, believe they can get their party back. That and the fact that it's emotionally and psychologically very difficult to choose to leave any political party - a fact that people who are not members of political parties often fail to comprehend and it's why major splits in political parties are pretty rare.
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It has been very difficult for anyone without a strong 'on the ground' organisation to break through. As has been pointed out upthread, it's quite difficult for people to leave their party; they might drift away, but that's different.logical_song said:
So, if we crash out we can blame FPTP?dots said:
They doubt they can break through on first past the post against established parties.Torby_Fennel said:I can completely understand the inertia of the "big name" moderate Labour backbench MPs - the former ministers and former shadow ministers. In their own minds they're still the next shadow cabinet in waiting and they, probably wrongly, believe they can get their party back. That and the fact that it's emotionally and psychologically very difficult to choose to leave any political party - a fact that people who are not members of political parties often fail to comprehend and it's why major splits in political parties are pretty rare.
Whether or not a small group with a dedicated internet Social Network group could do better we wait to see.0 -
Only one beyond 1987. The answer to your second question is one as well - Clement Davies.OldKingCole said:
There are few, if any cases, from the last century of anyone successfully doing so. 28 Labour MP's defected to the SDP n the early 80's; how many held their seats?dots said:
They doubt they can break through on first past the post against established parties.Torby_Fennel said:I can completely understand the inertia of the "big name" moderate Labour backbench MPs - the former ministers and former shadow ministers. In their own minds they're still the next shadow cabinet in waiting and they, probably wrongly, believe they can get their party back. That and the fact that it's emotionally and psychologically very difficult to choose to leave any political party - a fact that people who are not members of political parties often fail to comprehend and it's why major splits in political parties are pretty rare.
How many National Liberal MP's were there after 1935 who were not, in effect, Conservatives.0 -
My point exactly; the prospects for continuing as an MP are not good. Interesting about Davies; I seem to recall that he was offered a post in Churchill's 1951 Government but turned it down.ydoethur said:
Only one beyond 1987. The answer to your second question is one as well - Clement Davies.OldKingCole said:
There are few, if any cases, from the last century of anyone successfully doing so. 28 Labour MP's defected to the SDP n the early 80's; how many held their seats?dots said:
They doubt they can break through on first past the post against established parties.Torby_Fennel said:I can completely understand the inertia of the "big name" moderate Labour backbench MPs - the former ministers and former shadow ministers. In their own minds they're still the next shadow cabinet in waiting and they, probably wrongly, believe they can get their party back. That and the fact that it's emotionally and psychologically very difficult to choose to leave any political party - a fact that people who are not members of political parties often fail to comprehend and it's why major splits in political parties are pretty rare.
How many National Liberal MP's were there after 1935 who were not, in effect, Conservatives.0 -
You recall correctly - Minister for Education.OldKingCole said:
My point exactly; the prospects for continuing as an MP are not good. Interesting about Davies; I seem to recall that he was offered a post in Churchill's 1951 Government but turned it down.ydoethur said:
Only one beyond 1987. The answer to your second question is one as well - Clement Davies.OldKingCole said:
There are few, if any cases, from the last century of anyone successfully doing so. 28 Labour MP's defected to the SDP n the early 80's; how many held their seats?dots said:
They doubt they can break through on first past the post against established parties.Torby_Fennel said:I can completely understand the inertia of the "big name" moderate Labour backbench MPs - the former ministers and former shadow ministers. In their own minds they're still the next shadow cabinet in waiting and they, probably wrongly, believe they can get their party back. That and the fact that it's emotionally and psychologically very difficult to choose to leave any political party - a fact that people who are not members of political parties often fail to comprehend and it's why major splits in political parties are pretty rare.
How many National Liberal MP's were there after 1935 who were not, in effect, Conservatives.
Edit - it is worth pointing out as well that in the case of Davies (Montgomeryshire) and Maclennan (Caithness) the MPs concerned held very remote seats with small electorates where it is common to find strong personal followings. Which again tends to underline your point. Has any defector ever held a seat in say London for any length of time without a party organisation behind them?0 -
Good morning, everyone.
On the cartoon: anyone who considers the EU to be Heaven is a cultist.
On topic: I agree. There's been a surplus of talk, and a shortage of trousers, to mangle a phrase.0 -
I'm feeling people have left it too late; the moment for a second vote was maybe there in October / November, but it seems to have passed when Labour failed to get onboard.
Deal or no deal, coin flip really at this stage, but revoke & remain seems dead0 -
I can't help thinking this is another feature of how we have lost our traditional politics, similar to ministers and prime ministers no longer feeling any obligation to resign, however badly they have fucked up or been humiliated. Politicians simply don't feel driven by principle any more.
We don't even have defections between the major parties any more, where if done right career is safeguarded. I can't remember the last one - was it that Labour guy who ended sitting as a Tory in Oxfordshire?0 -
So less that seven weeks to go, and the key players are still talking about talking, each side completely ignorant of what the other have said and done.
In case Barnier didn’t notice, the WA got rejected by 230 votes in Parliament. It’s as dead as a dodo.
Time to top up on no deal I think.0 -
I probably agree, but there is a glimmer of light if - excluding don’t knows - over 60% of the country want a delay, and 55% (last YouGov) think Brexit was a mistake.asjohnstone said:I'm feeling people have left it too late; the moment for a second vote was maybe there in October / November, but it seems to have passed when Labour failed to get onboard.
Deal or no deal, coin flip really at this stage, but revoke & remain seems dead0 -
One problem the EU faces in the future, even if it manages to convert Leave into a pseudo-BINO is that it's still an uneasy merger of 27/28 countries. Until it finally reaches its Nirvana of making the disparate nations into one union, it's still going to be riven by nationalistic aims.
Why do you think we still have CAP? Because it was a French invention and it suits them. They saw a Euro-fanatic like Blair a mile off and played him like a fish. Ireland's very keen on the EU because they are net gainers. The Eastern Europeans like the open borders.
There are true Europeans guided by a sense of common purpose but the majority are out for what their country can gain. The Germans are probably the nearest to the European ideal, and that's probably why they remain the largest contributors. They want the project to succeed for idealistic reasons.
Not so most of the rest. They are happy to take advantage of other's commitment.
Mr Glenn made a sensible point yesterday (he does sometimes despite his EU enthusiasm). He worried that if we left with a soft Brexit, there'd be a continual clamour to make it harder. He's right. We'll still see countries using it for National advantage.
Until integration is truly complete and we all accept we're European, not British or Irish or French, the EU enthusiasts will be taken advantage of. And they'll deserve to be.0 -
Interesting, and a good example of when UK actually thought how about how to create wealth, instead of destroy it.
https://twitter.com/adam_tooze/status/1094506756275765248?s=210 -
Delay would be a blow for Brexit that's for sure. One of the only things the fucking mess has got going for it is its inevitability. Once 29/03 comes and goes with no red, white and blue sovereignty bukkake some of the certainty will be gone.Gardenwalker said:
I probably agree, but there is a glimmer of light if - excluding don’t knows - over 60% of the country want a delay, and 55% (last YouGov) think Brexit was a mistake.asjohnstone said:I'm feeling people have left it too late; the moment for a second vote was maybe there in October / November, but it seems to have passed when Labour failed to get onboard.
Deal or no deal, coin flip really at this stage, but revoke & remain seems dead0 -
Quentin Davies in 2007 is the last one I remember between Labour and the Tories. There was of course the defection of Carswell and Reckless (TPD).IanB2 said:I can't help thinking this is another feature of how we have lost our traditional politics, similar to ministers and prime ministers no longer feeling any obligation to resign, however badly they have fucked up or been humiliated. Politicians simply don't feel driven by principle any more.
We don't even have defections between the major parties any more, where if done right career is safeguarded. I can't remember the last one - was it that Labour guy who ended sitting as a Tory in Oxfordshire?0 -
I'm unsure that there's a particular pattern on the resignations front: Ed Miliband resigned after losing GE 2015, Cameron went after losing the referendum in 2016, and Farron after GE2017 when he realised his vile religion-inspired views were not in sync with a civilised society.IanB2 said:I can't help thinking this is another feature of how we have lost our traditional politics, similar to ministers and prime ministers no longer feeling any obligation to resign, however badly they have fucked up or been humiliated. Politicians simply don't feel driven by principle any more.
We don't even have defections between the major parties any more, where if done right career is safeguarded. I can't remember the last one - was it that Labour guy who ended sitting as a Tory in Oxfordshire?
So that's three leaders of major parties resigning in the last four years.
I think Corbyn won't resign because he cares only about turning Labour into a hateful, inward-looking and sick party; and May won't because the Brexit job is incomplete, and there's no-one else who could do any better given the situation.0 -
You forgot Salmond over the referendum.JosiasJessop said:
I'm unsure that there's a particular pattern on the resignations front: Ed Miliband resigned after losing GE 2015, Cameron went after losing the referendum in 2016, and Farron after GE2017 when he realised his vile religion-inspired views were not in sync with a civilised society.IanB2 said:I can't help thinking this is another feature of how we have lost our traditional politics, similar to ministers and prime ministers no longer feeling any obligation to resign, however badly they have fucked up or been humiliated. Politicians simply don't feel driven by principle any more.
We don't even have defections between the major parties any more, where if done right career is safeguarded. I can't remember the last one - was it that Labour guy who ended sitting as a Tory in Oxfordshire?
So that's three leaders of major parties resigning in the last four years.
I think Corbyn won't resign because he cares only about turning Labour into a hateful, inward-looking and sick party; and May won't because the Brexit job is incomplete, and there's no-one else who could do any better given the situation.0 -
But that last is a false choice. Even in an ultra-patriotic single country like the US, state loyalties are often fierce.CD13 said:One problem the EU faces in the future, even if it manages to convert Leave into a pseudo-BINO is that it's still an uneasy merger of 27/28 countries. Until it finally reaches its Nirvana of making the disparate nations into one union, it's still going to be riven by nationalistic aims.
Why do you think we still have CAP? Because it was a French invention and it suits them. They saw a Euro-fanatic like Blair a mile off and played him like a fish. Ireland's very keen on the EU because they are net gainers. The Eastern Europeans like the open borders.
There are true Europeans guided by a sense of common purpose but the majority are out for what their country can gain. The Germans are probably the nearest to the European ideal, and that's probably why they remain the largest contributors. They want the project to succeed for idealistic reasons.
Not so most of the rest. They are happy to take advantage of other's commitment.
Mr Glenn made a sensible point yesterday (he does sometimes despite his EU enthusiasm). He worried that if we left with a soft Brexit, there'd be a continual clamour to make it harder. He's right. We'll still see countries using it for National advantage.
Until integration is truly complete and we all accept we're European, not British or Irish or French, the EU enthusiasts will be taken advantage of. And they'll deserve to be.0 -
Amid all the noise and confusion, the one thing I have been confident about has been that Brexit will prove incredibly unpopular and will guarantee political oblivion for anyone who has touched it. Not much comfort really, but perhaps enough in a world of shrunken expectations.Gardenwalker said:
I probably agree, but there is a glimmer of light if - excluding don’t knows - over 60% of the country want a delay, and 55% (last YouGov) think Brexit was a mistake.0 -
It was Quentin Davies in 2007. He went from the Conservatives to Labour and stood down at the next election. Previously Robert Jackson (Wantage) did the same in 2005. Shaun Woodward (Witney) defected from the Conservatives to Labour in 1999, becoming the MP for St Helens South at the next election.IanB2 said:I can't help thinking this is another feature of how we have lost our traditional politics, similar to ministers and prime ministers no longer feeling any obligation to resign, however badly they have fucked up or been humiliated. Politicians simply don't feel driven by principle any more.
We don't even have defections between the major parties any more, where if done right career is safeguarded. I can't remember the last one - was it that Labour guy who ended sitting as a Tory in Oxfordshire?0 -
But this conversation is about "Principles".ydoethur said:
You forgot Salmond over the referendum.JosiasJessop said:
I'm unsure that there's a particular pattern on the resignations front: Ed Miliband resigned after losing GE 2015, Cameron went after losing the referendum in 2016, and Farron after GE2017 when he realised his vile religion-inspired views were not in sync with a civilised society.IanB2 said:I can't help thinking this is another feature of how we have lost our traditional politics, similar to ministers and prime ministers no longer feeling any obligation to resign, however badly they have fucked up or been humiliated. Politicians simply don't feel driven by principle any more.
We don't even have defections between the major parties any more, where if done right career is safeguarded. I can't remember the last one - was it that Labour guy who ended sitting as a Tory in Oxfordshire?
So that's three leaders of major parties resigning in the last four years.
I think Corbyn won't resign because he cares only about turning Labour into a hateful, inward-looking and sick party; and May won't because the Brexit job is incomplete, and there's no-one else who could do any better given the situation.0 -
One reason why many MPs approve of the EU is that it mimics the National Parliaments. It involves creating groupings to get your own way. Parliaments have parties, the local school yard has gangs but it amounts to the same thing. They feel at home there. We accept that the parties will often aim for party advantage rather than country advantage because it is effective politics.
It's similar in the EU. The French have always played the EU for National advantage and they'll probably be pleased to see us go. De Gaulle wasn't a freak in that respect. They might worry that losing a major player makes the whole concept weaker, but returning chastened and with weakened influence would be like having two Christmases.
I salute the idealists, but that won't stop them being figures of fun while the adults get on with things.0 -
There was a time indeed when states were seen as the 'country' and Washington was seen as a meddling nuisance. Among other things, that led to a little number called the American Civil War and 630,000 deaths.IanB2 said:
But that last is a false choice. Even in an ultra-patriotic single country like the US, state loyalties are often fierce.CD13 said:One problem the EU faces in the future, even if it manages to convert Leave into a pseudo-BINO is that it's still an uneasy merger of 27/28 countries. Until it finally reaches its Nirvana of making the disparate nations into one union, it's still going to be riven by nationalistic aims.
Why do you think we still have CAP? Because it was a French invention and it suits them. They saw a Euro-fanatic like Blair a mile off and played him like a fish. Ireland's very keen on the EU because they are net gainers. The Eastern Europeans like the open borders.
There are true Europeans guided by a sense of common purpose but the majority are out for what their country can gain. The Germans are probably the nearest to the European ideal, and that's probably why they remain the largest contributors. They want the project to succeed for idealistic reasons.
Not so most of the rest. They are happy to take advantage of other's commitment.
Mr Glenn made a sensible point yesterday (he does sometimes despite his EU enthusiasm). He worried that if we left with a soft Brexit, there'd be a continual clamour to make it harder. He's right. We'll still see countries using it for National advantage.
Until integration is truly complete and we all accept we're European, not British or Irish or French, the EU enthusiasts will be taken advantage of. And they'll deserve to be.
It is also why despite the fact Lee was on the losing side it feels a bit unfair to call him a traitor. He joined the Confedaracy very reluctantly because his 'country' (Virginia) did, and despite the offer of command of the US forces in the field. Ironically therefore he is now called a traitor because he refused to commit what he considered treason.0 -
@JosiasJessop seems to be more interested in principals, judging by his comment.MattW said:
But this conversation is about "Principles".ydoethur said:
You forgot Salmond over the referendum.JosiasJessop said:
I'm unsure that there's a particular pattern on the resignations front: Ed Miliband resigned after losing GE 2015, Cameron went after losing the referendum in 2016, and Farron after GE2017 when he realised his vile religion-inspired views were not in sync with a civilised society.IanB2 said:I can't help thinking this is another feature of how we have lost our traditional politics, similar to ministers and prime ministers no longer feeling any obligation to resign, however badly they have fucked up or been humiliated. Politicians simply don't feel driven by principle any more.
We don't even have defections between the major parties any more, where if done right career is safeguarded. I can't remember the last one - was it that Labour guy who ended sitting as a Tory in Oxfordshire?
So that's three leaders of major parties resigning in the last four years.
I think Corbyn won't resign because he cares only about turning Labour into a hateful, inward-looking and sick party; and May won't because the Brexit job is incomplete, and there's no-one else who could do any better given the situation.0 -
And later Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and one of the very small number of cabinet ministers Brown trusted. On one occasion when Mandelson was leaving the room after calming Brown down, he saw Woodward going in and said drily, 'Ah, the night shift.'prh47bridge said:
It was Quentin Davies in 2007. He went from the Conservatives to Labour and stood down at the next election. Previously Robert Jackson (Wantage) did the same in 2005. Shaun Woodward (Witney) defected from the Conservatives to Labour in 1999, becoming the MP for St Helens South at the next election.IanB2 said:I can't help thinking this is another feature of how we have lost our traditional politics, similar to ministers and prime ministers no longer feeling any obligation to resign, however badly they have fucked up or been humiliated. Politicians simply don't feel driven by principle any more.
We don't even have defections between the major parties any more, where if done right career is safeguarded. I can't remember the last one - was it that Labour guy who ended sitting as a Tory in Oxfordshire?0 -
Thanks for remembering; I had the Oxfordshire one the wrong way around. Easy to forget how Cameron got his opening; that defection carries a heavy legacy.prh47bridge said:
It was Quentin Davies in 2007. He went from the Conservatives to Labour and stood down at the next election. Previously Robert Jackson (Wantage) did the same in 2005. Shaun Woodward (Witney) defected from the Conservatives to Labour in 1999, becoming the MP for St Helens South at the next election.IanB2 said:I can't help thinking this is another feature of how we have lost our traditional politics, similar to ministers and prime ministers no longer feeling any obligation to resign, however badly they have fucked up or been humiliated. Politicians simply don't feel driven by principle any more.
We don't even have defections between the major parties any more, where if done right career is safeguarded. I can't remember the last one - was it that Labour guy who ended sitting as a Tory in Oxfordshire?0 -
I make that two - David Owen and John Cartwright.ydoethur said:
Only one beyond 1987. The answer to your second question is one as well - Clement Davies.OldKingCole said:
There are few, if any cases, from the last century of anyone successfully doing so. 28 Labour MP's defected to the SDP n the early 80's; how many held their seats?dots said:
They doubt they can break through on first past the post against established parties.Torby_Fennel said:I can completely understand the inertia of the "big name" moderate Labour backbench MPs - the former ministers and former shadow ministers. In their own minds they're still the next shadow cabinet in waiting and they, probably wrongly, believe they can get their party back. That and the fact that it's emotionally and psychologically very difficult to choose to leave any political party - a fact that people who are not members of political parties often fail to comprehend and it's why major splits in political parties are pretty rare.
How many National Liberal MP's were there after 1935 who were not, in effect, Conservatives.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Social_Democratic_Party_(UK)_MPs
But your point stands.
There's also a delicious detail about Rosie Barnes:
"She was shown in soft focus in a Party political broadcast teaching her son the way to stroke a rabbit, an appearance which was heavily ridiculed."0 -
If May and Corbyn somehow stagger on the 2022 then JC will have been Labour leader for longer than both G. Browns, Callaghan, Foot and E. Milliband. It's astonishing really. He and May deserve each other.JosiasJessop said:
I think Corbyn won't resign because he cares only about turning Labour into a hateful, inward-looking and sick party; and May won't because the Brexit job is incomplete, and there's no-one else who could do any better given the situation.0 -
George Brown was only leader for a very short time though. In fact, am I right in thinking he was the shortest serving leader of the Labour Party behind Beckett?Dura_Ace said:
If May and Corbyn somehow stagger on the 2022 then JC will have been Labour leader for longer than both G. Browns, Callaghan, Foot and E. Milliband. It's astonishing really. He and May deserve each other.JosiasJessop said:
I think Corbyn won't resign because he cares only about turning Labour into a hateful, inward-looking and sick party; and May won't because the Brexit job is incomplete, and there's no-one else who could do any better given the situation.0 -
Well, I was actually thinking of Robert McLennan, so it would be three. I thought Owen had lost his seat in 1987 but I was confusing it with his resignation from the SDP.MattW said:
I make that two - David Owen and John Cartwright.ydoethur said:
Only one beyond 1987. The answer to your second question is one as well - Clement Davies.OldKingCole said:
There are few, if any cases, from the last century of anyone successfully doing so. 28 Labour MP's defected to the SDP n the early 80's; how many held their seats?dots said:
They doubt they can break through on first past the post against established parties.Torby_Fennel said:I can completely understand the inertia of the "big name" moderate Labour backbench MPs - the former ministers and former shadow ministers. In their own minds they're still the next shadow cabinet in waiting and they, probably wrongly, believe they can get their party back. That and the fact that it's emotionally and psychologically very difficult to choose to leave any political party - a fact that people who are not members of political parties often fail to comprehend and it's why major splits in political parties are pretty rare.
How many National Liberal MP's were there after 1935 who were not, in effect, Conservatives.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Social_Democratic_Party_(UK)_MPs
But your point stands.
There's also a delicious detail about Rosie Barnes:
"She was shown in soft focus in a Party political broadcast teaching her son the way to stroke a rabbit, an appearance which was heavily ridiculed."0 -
You're arguing accounting now? Christ, I've not seen someone leap from different point to different point when they are wrong so lamely in a long time.Streeter said:
Nonsense. No they are not. Hypothecation in local government finance does not exist, it’s all just funding, no matter how much bleating drivers think (wrongly) they are being hard done to.kle4 said:
Car parking charges are used for the purpose I described.Streeter said:
Latest available figures:kle4 said:
Found reality yet?Streeter said:
Nonsense. Car parking charges go to District Councils. Public transport support comes from County Councils. Do try to stay in touching distance of reality.kle4 said:
Rural bus routesar parking charges.DecrepitJohnL said:Where does Hinds stand on buses?
Thousands of bus routes at risk of being scrapped.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47182101
Can anyone tces at PMQs? Still confident the next election will be all about Brexit?
Annual local authority bus subsidy £3023m
Annual local authority parking income £819m
Total annual local authority spending £111370m
Car parking charges are not paying any significant amount towards local authority expenditure.
I don't think I'll take lessons from someone who opened with an insult proving they don't know that unitary authorities exist!
And let's not forget that's how this started. You claimed the two elements couldn't have anything to do with one another as one was district and one was county. You were hopelessly, unforgivably wrong about that, yet you chose to insult me about it.0 -
The mail online has been rabidly anti Corbyn and anti a hard brexit. Both of these opinions are now shared by the general population. If ever there was a time for mps to defect now is it.
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As slightly surreal discussions go, this one has at least been entertaining.kle4 said:
You're arguing accounting now? Christ, I've not seen someone leap from different point to different point when they are wrong so lamely in a long time.Streeter said:
Nonsense. No they are not. Hypothecation in local government finance does not exist, it’s all just funding, no matter how much bleating drivers think (wrongly) they are being hard done to.kle4 said:
Car parking charges are used for the purpose I described.Streeter said:
Latest available figures:kle4 said:
Found reality yet?Streeter said:
Nonsense. Car parking charges go to District Councils. Public transport support comes from County Councils. Do try to stay in touching distance of reality.kle4 said:
Rural bus routesar parking charges.DecrepitJohnL said:Where does Hinds stand on buses?
Thousands of bus routes at risk of being scrapped.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47182101
Can anyone tces at PMQs? Still confident the next election will be all about Brexit?
Annual local authority bus subsidy £3023m
Annual local authority parking income £819m
Total annual local authority spending £111370m
Car parking charges are not paying any significant amount towards local authority expenditure.
I don't think I'll take lessons from someone who opened with an insult proving they don't know that unitary authorities exist!
And let's not forget that's how this started. You claimed the two elements couldn't have anything to do with one another as one was district and one was county. You were hopelessly, unforgivably wrong about that, yet you chose to insult me about it.
However, can I ask a more serious, practical question? I know you are in favour of everyone going unitary. But in those circumstances, would you be in favour of Swindon merging back into Wiltshire? Or do you think the current system works?
I would be genuinely interested in knowing the answer as through all my time in England I have only lived in shire counties.0 -
You mean they get showered with so much cash that the useless donkeys are not going to give it up for morals or principles, they will hang on like grim death. Greedy grasping useless twunts.Torby_Fennel said:I can completely understand the inertia of the "big name" moderate Labour backbench MPs - the former ministers and former shadow ministers. In their own minds they're still the next shadow cabinet in waiting and they, probably wrongly, believe they can get their party back. That and the fact that it's emotionally and psychologically very difficult to choose to leave any political party - a fact that people who are not members of political parties often fail to comprehend and it's why major splits in political parties are pretty rare.
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Morning Malcolm, I trust it is less windy in Ayrshire than previously today?malcolmg said:
You mean they get showered with so much cash that the useless donkeys are not going to give it up for morals or principles, they will hang on like grim death. Greedy grasping useless twunts.Torby_Fennel said:I can completely understand the inertia of the "big name" moderate Labour backbench MPs - the former ministers and former shadow ministers. In their own minds they're still the next shadow cabinet in waiting and they, probably wrongly, believe they can get their party back. That and the fact that it's emotionally and psychologically very difficult to choose to leave any political party - a fact that people who are not members of political parties often fail to comprehend and it's why major splits in political parties are pretty rare.
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You're arguing accounting now? Christ, I've not seen someone leap from different point to different point when they are wrong so lamely in a long time.Streeter said:
Nonsense. No they are not. Hypothecation in local government finance does not exist, it’s all just funding, no matter how much bleating drivers think (wrongly) they are being hard done to.kle4 said:
Car parking charges are used for the purpose I described.Streeter said:
Latest ure.kle4 said:
Found reality yet?Streeter said:
Nonsense. Car parking charges go to District Councils. Public transport support comes from County Councils. Do try to stay in touching distance of reality.kle4 said:
Rural bus routesar parking charges.DecrepitJohnL said:Where does Hinds stand on buses?
Thousands of bus routes at risk of being scrapped.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47182101
Can anyone tces at PMQs? Still confident the next election will be all about Brexit?
I don't think I'll take lessons from someone who opened with an insult proving they don't know that unitary authorities exist!
And let's not forget that's how this started. You claimed the two elements couldn't have anything to do with one another as one was district and one was county. You were hopelessly, unforgivably wrong about that, yet you chose to insult me about it.
Funding is funding, but there's nothing incorrect about generalities - the surplus income is, as I demonstrated with my own council, justified on the basis of funding bus routes.
But since you aren't aware of an extremely common form of local authority what's the point in continuing this? You probably have a house to build on quicksand or something. Word of advice, it doesn't matter how well you construct it if it's built on something fundamentally flawed.0 -
He was also the one who did the most damage to the economy.ydoethur said:
George Brown was only leader for a very short time though. In fact, am I right in thinking he was the shortest serving leader of the Labour Party behind Beckett?Dura_Ace said:
If May and Corbyn somehow stagger on the 2022 then JC will have been Labour leader for longer than both G. Browns, Callaghan, Foot and E. Milliband. It's astonishing really. He and May deserve each other.JosiasJessop said:
I think Corbyn won't resign because he cares only about turning Labour into a hateful, inward-looking and sick party; and May won't because the Brexit job is incomplete, and there's no-one else who could do any better given the situation.0 -
Conservative hardcore remainers can't defect, for the same reason that many would like it if they did - they don't have significant enough numbers even to be a covincing rump. And they don't have enough support to hold on to their seats. It would be a total non event, and they know that they seem a lot bigger and more convincing within the party than they would without it. So sadly, they will not do anything.0
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Don't forget Peter Temple-Morris, a One Nation Tory MP turned New Labour MP. He stood down because Labour could never in this universe have held Leominster but he was deservedly made a peer: http://www.theirishworld.com/tributes-paid-most-honourable-politician-peter-temple-morris/IanB2 said:
Thanks for remembering; I had the Oxfordshire one the wrong way around. Easy to forget how Cameron got his opening; that defection carries a heavy legacy.prh47bridge said:
It was Quentin Davies in 2007. He went from the Conservatives to Labour and stood down at the next election. Previously Robert Jackson (Wantage) did the same in 2005. Shaun Woodward (Witney) defected from the Conservatives to Labour in 1999, becoming the MP for St Helens South at the next election.IanB2 said:I can't help thinking this is another feature of how we have lost our traditional politics, similar to ministers and prime ministers no longer feeling any obligation to resign, however badly they have fucked up or been humiliated. Politicians simply don't feel driven by principle any more.
We don't even have defections between the major parties any more, where if done right career is safeguarded. I can't remember the last one - was it that Labour guy who ended sitting as a Tory in Oxfordshire?
Emma Nicholson MP from Devon was a One Nation Tory MP turned LibDem MP. She was made a peer. Again, her new party clearly couldn't hold the seat.
I think that crossing the floor is getting less frequent and politics is getting even more tribal. Brexit is even more bogged down because MPs now fear being deselected for cross-party cooperation. PR looks more distant than ever.0 -
I have no personal objections to such, I think if counties still exist it make a kind of sense to unify them. I believe Wiltshire to be working better than Swindon, and it would drastically alter the politics given Swindon is a battleground, but there's plenty of areas where they have to work together still.ydoethur said:
As slightly surreal discussions go, this one has at least been entertaining.kle4 said:
You're arguing accounting now? Christ, I've not seen someone leap from different point to different point when they are wrong so lamely in a long time.Streeter said:
Nonsense. No they are not. Hypothecation in local government finance does not exist, it’s all just funding, no matter how much bleating drivers think (wrongly) they are being hard done to.kle4 said:
Car parking charges are used for the purpose I described.Streeter said:
Latest available figures:kle4 said:
Found reality yet?Streeter said:
Nonsense. Car parking charges go to District Councils. Public transport support comes from County Councils. Do try to stay in touching distance of reality.kle4 said:
Rural bus routesar parking charges.DecrepitJohnL said:Where does Hinds stand on buses?
Thousands of bus routes at risk of being scrapped.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47182101
Can anyone tces at PMQs? Still confident the next election will be all about Brexit?
Annual local authority bus subsidy £3023m
Annual local authority parking income £819m
Total annual local authority spending £111370m
Car parking charges are not paying any significant amount towards local authority expenditure.
I don't think I'll take lessons from someone who opened with an insult proving they don't know that unitary authorities exist!
And let's not forget that's how this started. You claimed the two elements couldn't have anything to do with one .
However, can I ask a more serious, practical question? I know you are in favour of everyone going unitary. But in those circumstances, would you be in favour of Swindon merging back into Wiltshire? Or do you think the current system works?
I would be genuinely interested in knowing the answer as through all my time in England I have only lived in shire counties.
I imagine it would be very unpopular though. While some still pine for the districts I don't hear many who care that Swindon is no longer administered in the same area.
I do think if one giant unitary is not viable you do need to divide areas into as few as possible.0 -
Morning Ydoethur, Yes calm this morning with blue sky and sunshine at present. Hope all is well with you.ydoethur said:
Morning Malcolm, I trust it is less windy in Ayrshire than previously today?malcolmg said:
You mean they get showered with so much cash that the useless donkeys are not going to give it up for morals or principles, they will hang on like grim death. Greedy grasping useless twunts.Torby_Fennel said:I can completely understand the inertia of the "big name" moderate Labour backbench MPs - the former ministers and former shadow ministers. In their own minds they're still the next shadow cabinet in waiting and they, probably wrongly, believe they can get their party back. That and the fact that it's emotionally and psychologically very difficult to choose to leave any political party - a fact that people who are not members of political parties often fail to comprehend and it's why major splits in political parties are pretty rare.
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I agree it's very hard, but there comes a time when they've exhausted how much that understanding gets them any sympathy.Torby_Fennel said:I can completely understand the inertia of the "big name" moderate Labour backbench MPs - the former ministers and former shadow ministers. In their own minds they're still the next shadow cabinet in waiting and they, probably wrongly, believe they can get their party back. That and the fact that it's emotionally and psychologically very difficult to choose to leave any political party - a fact that people who are not members of political parties often fail to comprehend and it's why major splits in political parties are pretty rare.
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Thanks.kle4 said:
I have no personal objections to such, I think if counties still exist it make a kind of sense to unify them. I believe Wiltshire to be working better than Swindon, and it would drastically alter the politics given Swindon is a battleground, but there's plenty of areas where they have to work together still.ydoethur said:
As slightly surreal discussions go, this one has at least been entertaining.kle4 said:
You're arguing accounting now? Christ, I've not seen someone leap from different point to different point when they are wrong so lamely in a long time.Streeter said:
Nonsense. No they are not. Hypothecation in local government finance does not exist, it’s all just funding, no matter how much bleating drivers think (wrongly) they are being hard done to.kle4 said:
Car parking charges are used for the purpose I described.Streeter said:
Latest available figures:kle4 said:
Found reality yet?Streeter said:
Nonsense. Car parking charges go to District Councils. Public transport support comes from County Councils. Do try to stay in touching distance of reality.kle4 said:
Rural bus routesar parking charges.DecrepitJohnL said:Where does Hinds stand on buses?
Thousands of bus routes at risk of being scrapped.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47182101
Can anyone tces at PMQs? Still confident the next election will be all about Brexit?
Annual local authority bus subsidy £3023m
Annual local authority parking income £819m
Total annual local authority spending £111370m
Car parking charges are not paying any significant amount towards local authority expenditure.
I don't think I'll take lessons from someone who opened with an insult proving they don't know that unitary authorities exist!
And let's not forget that's how this started. You claimed the two elements couldn't have anything to do with one .
However, can I ask a more serious, practical question? I know you are in favour of everyone going unitary. But in those circumstances, would you be in favour of Swindon merging back into Wiltshire? Or do you think the current system works?
I would be genuinely interested in knowing the answer as through all my time in England I have only lived in shire counties.
I imagine it would be very unpopular though. While some still pine for the districts I don't hear many who care that Swindon is no longer administered in the same area.
I do think if one giant unitary is not viable you do need to divide areas into as few as possible.0 -
It is currently pissing down harder than an alcoholic after Happy Hour at the Bass brewery in Burton. Apart from that I think all is well.malcolmg said:
Morning Ydoethur, Yes calm this morning with blue sky and sunshine at present. Hope all is well with you.ydoethur said:
Morning Malcolm, I trust it is less windy in Ayrshire than previously today?malcolmg said:
You mean they get showered with so much cash that the useless donkeys are not going to give it up for morals or principles, they will hang on like grim death. Greedy grasping useless twunts.Torby_Fennel said:I can completely understand the inertia of the "big name" moderate Labour backbench MPs - the former ministers and former shadow ministers. In their own minds they're still the next shadow cabinet in waiting and they, probably wrongly, believe they can get their party back. That and the fact that it's emotionally and psychologically very difficult to choose to leave any political party - a fact that people who are not members of political parties often fail to comprehend and it's why major splits in political parties are pretty rare.
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8
It's almost crazy. Puts me very much in mind of the representatives of The Good Place in season 3 of, well, The Good Place. Or those titanic jokes.Sandpit said:So less that seven weeks to go, and the key players are still talking about talking, each side completely ignorant of what the other have said and done.
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Except, that will resonate with England's medieval towns - and most of the places he needs to win power are England's medieval towns.....williamglenn said:0 -
Im not sure I understand the point you are making. For the citizen travelling through a Europe without borders and with a common currency is a delight. Breakfasting in france and driving to a cafe in Italy for lunch in the knowledge that the standards demanded by the EU mean you wont be poisoned in either country is a a very good thing.CD13 said:One problem the EU faces in the future, even if it manages to convert Leave into a pseudo-BINO is that it's still an uneasy merger of 27/28 countries. Until it finally reaches its Nirvana of making the disparate nations into one union, it's still going to be riven by nationalistic aims.
Why do you think we still have CAP? Because it was a French invention and it suits them. They saw a Euro-fanatic like Blair a mile off and played him like a fish. Ireland's very keen on the EU because they are net gainers. The Eastern Europeans like the open borders.
There are true Europeans guided by a sense of common purpose but the majority are out for what their country can gain. The Germans are probably the nearest to the European ideal, and that's probably why they remain the largest contributors. They want the project to succeed for idealistic reasons.
Not so most of the rest. They are happy to take advantage of other's commitment.
Mr Glenn made a sensible point yesterday (he does sometimes despite his EU enthusiasm). He worried that if we left with a soft Brexit, there'd be a continual clamour to make it harder. He's right. We'll still see countries using it for National advantage.
Until integration is truly complete and we all accept we're European, not British or Irish or French, the EU enthusiasts will be taken advantage of. And they'll deserve to be.
The currency will take you thousands of miles in either direction and no passport necessary. It makes life easier safer and potentially more pleasurable for all of us and I haven't even started on the advantages if you to work in any of those countries...
....What is it that scares you?0 -
All hail George Osborne. What a result.Gardenwalker said:Interesting, and a good example of when UK actually thought how about how to create wealth, instead of destroy it.
https://twitter.com/adam_tooze/status/1094506756275765248?s=210 -
This interests me for Ashfield Constituency.dots said:
They doubt they can break through on first past the post against established parties.Torby_Fennel said:I can completely understand the inertia of the "big name" moderate Labour backbench MPs - the former ministers and former shadow ministers. In their own minds they're still the next shadow cabinet in waiting and they, probably wrongly, believe they can get their party back. That and the fact that it's emotionally and psychologically very difficult to choose to leave any political party - a fact that people who are not members of political parties often fail to comprehend and it's why major splits in political parties are pretty rare.
There is no Liberal Democrat organisation - they are currently combined with Mansfield Constituency.
The Council is now lead by the LibDem candidate from 2010, who was within 200 votes, and resigned as candidate in 2015 after press rumours (which the police / CPS failed to substantiate despite 2+ years to investigate), and then pursued a Local Councillor role as Independent. The Ashfield Independents now lead the Council. The Lib Dem GE vote has evaporated, but I do not see the Indies having any hope at a GE.
How do the Lib Dems rebuild in these circs, given that most of their support is presumably committed to the Independents?
Wait 10 years then ask nicely for the Indies to come back home?0 -
I actually like Dan Hodges, but that is so not the question. A split means the Tories win. A handful have left for various reasons a handful of others might.Scott_P said:
That any new group would be seen as labour means barely a handful of anyone else would join it, because of ingrained tribalism. How would they be tribally loyal to some new group?0 -
That utter bastard.williamglenn said:
Why have the Mail splashed this story? Most of the claims are rehashed so has this investigative chap turned up anything everyone didn't already know if could guess?0 -
Don't think Labour will split. To be fair, I never thought Labour MPs would actually challenge Corbyn either, but they've had plenty of opportunity to form a Not-Demented Leftwing Party and have yet to do so.0
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I know seeing a naked Diane Abbott isn't for everyone but suggesting all decent Labour MPs should leave the party is surely an overreactionScott_P said:0 -
How common are defections to the SNP? Given their emergence as a dominant force in recent times I'd have thought many members used to be other parties, and so surely some elected members at lower levels at least made a switch?0
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Mr. kle4, SNP are a bit of a different kettle of fish as their raison d'etre is leaving the UK. So it's a bit more than just swapping the rosette for a different colour if someone jumps ship to HMS Indyref II.0
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Except the Tories might also split.kle4 said:I actually like Dan Hodges, but that is so not the question. A split means the Tories win. A handful have left for various reasons a handful of others might.
https://twitter.com/michaelsavage/status/1094506841877475328
https://twitter.com/michaelsavage/status/1094507068772573184
https://twitter.com/michaelsavage/status/1094507184828878848
There is a good argument to be made for a realignment of politics along Brexit lines. There is an argument that not being aligned in those terms has led to the current impasse...0 -
Having read it, no. I knew all of this already and I can't understand how anyone thinks it revelatory. I would add that as most of it is personal rather than political it isn't actually especially relevant either. That might however be the MoS making an editorial decision.kle4 said:
That utter bastard.williamglenn said:
Why have the Mail splashed this story? Most of the claims are rehashed so has this investigative chap turned up anything everyone didn't already know if could guess?
A much more useful exercise would have been a deep investigation into his conduct in Haringey, where there would appear prima facie to be incitement to break the law and possible fraud involved, but the article barely touches on it.
And a still more useful exercise would be an investigation into his links with South American, East German and Czech mass murderers. Again, only mentioned in passing.
I can't help but feel this kind of thing is counterproductive. Lurid, maybe, but stories about him being a principled vegetarian until Castro offered him steak is not getting to the meat (sorry) of why he is totally unfit to hold public office.0 -
I must admit I don't associate the Daily Mail with lavish coverage of Central European art galleries and medieval architecture. But to be fair I only look at it when I'm waiting for a haircut and there's no alternative reading material, so I may have missed it.kle4 said:
That utter bastard.williamglenn said:
Why have the Mail splashed this story? Most of the claims are rehashed so has this investigative chap turned up anything everyone didn't already know if could guess?0 -
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Do you honestly believe that somebody who was otherwise include to vote for JC will change their mind because he doesn't give a fuck about York Minster?MarqueeMark said:
Except, that will resonate with England's medieval towns - and most of the places he needs to win power are England's medieval towns.....williamglenn said:0 -
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Yes.Dura_Ace said:
Do you honestly believe that somebody who was otherwise include to vote for JC will change their mind because he doesn't give a fuck about York Minster?MarqueeMark said:
Except, that will resonate with England's medieval towns - and most of the places he needs to win power are England's medieval towns.....williamglenn said:
Have you talked to voters? Their motives are quite often weird....0 -
Mr. Ace, York Minster's a magnificent building. Visitors to York should definitely pay it a look.0
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And yet he quite likes photographing manhole covers (and not the sort TSE will snigger about).williamglenn said:
I have no problems with someone being an operculist (says a pontist) 0 -
Both sums up the triviality of the Mail piece, but also provides more evidence that a Corbyn is a pig-ignorant barbarian.williamglenn said:0 -
I think it very true both should split and that there should be a realignment. But if one splits the other probably won't.Scott_P said:
Except the Tories might also split.kle4 said:I actually like Dan Hodges, but that is so not the question. A split means the Tories win. A handful have left for various reasons a handful of others might.
https://twitter.com/michaelsavage/status/1094506841877475328
https://twitter.com/michaelsavage/status/1094507068772573184
https://twitter.com/michaelsavage/status/1094507184828878848
There is a good argument to be made for a realignment of politics along Brexit lines. There is an argument that not being aligned in those terms has led to the current impasse...
I actually think the Tories are more vulnerable to the possibility. There's a more fundamental drive to it, decades of build up until it cannot be ignored any more. Still more likely they won't but their issues seem deeper than Labour's.0 -
Do we actually know that he doesn't photograph the TSE sort of manholes as well? I mean, he displayed Diane Abbott in flagrante delicto to his friends.JosiasJessop said:
And yet he quite likes photographing manhole covers (and not the sort TSE will snigger about).williamglenn said:
I have no problems with someone being an operculist (says a pontist)0 -
Neil Blair. It really IS a Blairite coup.Scott_P said:
Question is - does he have J K Rowling's millions behind him when he speaks?0 -
Dan 'Thenardier' Hodges.TheJezziah said:0 -
But should they pay the however many millions it is to go into it so they can ogle the statue of my clearly thoroughly irreligious and egotistical collateral ancestor Sir George Savile?Morris_Dancer said:Mr. Ace, York Minster's a magnificent building. Visitors to York should definitely pay it a look.
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Sorry. I think he's one note, not always convincing, but he can have an amusing turn of phrase and I enjoy his writing.TheJezziah said:
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"His latest gambit this week was to write to the Prime Minister setting out the terms on which he could support a deal to leave the EU, terms which as he well knew were impossible for her to accept."
They're only impossible for her to accept for the same reason every other sensible way out of the mess is impossible for her to accept - the fact that the Tory party is split down the middle, with a substantial faction apparently embracing the craziness of leaving without a deal.
If we hadn't been following Theresa May down a rabbit hole for the last two years, I think Corbyn's proposals would have looked like a very sensible compromise in a situation where half the population wanted to leave and half wanted to stay.
Evidently the rest of the EU thinks his proposals are reasonable too. Are even sensible commentators now being drawn into the paranoid mindset where they think the rest of the world is out to get us?0 -
The LibDems posed a serious challenge in that seat, and there persist rumours that there were dirty tricks in play behind that whole sorry episode. I don't think you can extrapolate from that to the national situation.MattW said:
This interests me for Ashfield Constituency.dots said:
They doubt they can break through on first past the post against established parties.Torby_Fennel said:I can completely understand the inertia of the "big name" moderate Labour backbench MPs - the former ministers and former shadow ministers. In their own minds they're still the next shadow cabinet in waiting and they, probably wrongly, believe they can get their party back. That and the fact that it's emotionally and psychologically very difficult to choose to leave any political party - a fact that people who are not members of political parties often fail to comprehend and it's why major splits in political parties are pretty rare.
There is no Liberal Democrat organisation - they are currently combined with Mansfield Constituency.
The Council is now lead by the LibDem candidate from 2010, who was within 200 votes, and resigned as candidate in 2015 after press rumours (which the police / CPS failed to substantiate despite 2+ years to investigate), and then pursued a Local Councillor role as Independent. The Ashfield Independents now lead the Council. The Lib Dem GE vote has evaporated, but I do not see the Indies having any hope at a GE.
How do the Lib Dems rebuild in these circs, given that most of their support is presumably committed to the Independents?
Wait 10 years then ask nicely for the Indies to come back home?0 -
Mr. Doethur, it's a while since I visited, but I do recall any money involved (whether fee or donation) was significantly less than a million pounds.0
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The Mail on Sunday on Corbyn today gives an insight to how unsuitable he is for high office, and may titillate some, but I only skimmed read it and got bored to be honest.
Indeed it is rather over the top and I would think readers may be more interested in the Meghan Markle's 5 page letter to her Father and her writing style
Just listened to Blair on Sophy on Sunday and he too bores you to sleep.
I understand TM is going to put the deal back (amended or otherwise) to the HOC by the end of the month and effectively follow the will of the House and act accordingly.0 -
Maybe to a poor student it just felt like it!Morris_Dancer said:Mr. Doethur, it's a while since I visited, but I do recall any money involved (whether fee or donation) was significantly less than a million pounds.
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Spot on. Theresa May’s clear priority is not securing a Brexit that the Commons and the country can live with, but one that keeps the Conservative party together and her in office. It is likely to work short-term, it will be utterly ruinous for the Tories as soon as the Labour party gets a new leader.Chris said:"His latest gambit this week was to write to the Prime Minister setting out the terms on which he could support a deal to leave the EU, terms which as he well knew were impossible for her to accept."
They're only impossible for her to accept for the same reason every other sensible way out of the mess is impossible for her to accept - the fact that the Tory party is split down the middle, with a substantial faction apparently embracing the craziness of leaving without a deal.
If we hadn't been following Theresa May down a rabbit hole for the last two years, I think Corbyn's proposals would have looked like a very sensible compromise in a situation where half the population wanted to leave and half wanted to stay.
Evidently the rest of the EU thinks his proposals are reasonable too. Are even sensible commentators now being drawn into the paranoid mindset where they think the rest of the world is out to get us?
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Yep. The mask was discarded for good when she herself went chasing unicorns.SouthamObserver said:
Spot on. Theresa May’s clear priority is not securing a Brexit that the Commons and the country can live with, but one that keeps the Conservative party together and her in office. It is likely to work short-term, it will be utterly ruinous for the Tories as soon as the Labour party gets a new leader.Chris said:"His latest gambit this week was to write to the Prime Minister setting out the terms on which he could support a deal to leave the EU, terms which as he well knew were impossible for her to accept."
They're only impossible for her to accept for the same reason every other sensible way out of the mess is impossible for her to accept - the fact that the Tory party is split down the middle, with a substantial faction apparently embracing the craziness of leaving without a deal.
If we hadn't been following Theresa May down a rabbit hole for the last two years, I think Corbyn's proposals would have looked like a very sensible compromise in a situation where half the population wanted to leave and half wanted to stay.
Evidently the rest of the EU thinks his proposals are reasonable too. Are even sensible commentators now being drawn into the paranoid mindset where they think the rest of the world is out to get us?
0 -
I'd add that in practical terms Corbyn's proposals only involve changes to the Political Declaration, which the EU keeps telling us they are willing to consider.
Also, there's no way that any of what he's asking for can be binding on a future government, and if it were agreed, no one would be in any doubt about that.
But it's not acceptable because Theresa May has to try to keep her party in one piece, whatever the cost to the country. That may be a political fact, but it's hardly Corbyn's fault.0 -
He's not in a very good mood today though, is he? Taken out of context, this could easily have been written by his fellow posh boy journalist Milne:kle4 said:
Sorry. I think he's one note, not always convincing, but he can have an amusing turn of phrase and I enjoy his writing.TheJezziah said:
Labour's so-called moderates are not the heirs of Attlee, Wilson, and Blair. They are the heirs of Neville Chamberlain. Not since the 1930s have we seen a more squalid abandonment of basic political principle on the altar of personal expediency.
Actually, that's unfair to Chamberlain. He thought he was saving his nation from a war. Labour's moderate MPs are interested only in saving themselves.0 -
1. Corbyn is not alone in finding old buildings boring. I always struggled to get my lot to traipse round medieval towns if there was anything else to do.williamglenn said:
2. I am surprised the Kaiser had a summer retreat in Austria-Hungary rather than in Germany.
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If this happens it will save Corbyn.MarqueeMark said:
Neil Blair. It really IS a Blairite coup.Scott_P said:
Question is - does he have J K Rowling's millions behind him when he speaks?0 -
But the Austrians used the same title for their emperors.SouthamObserver said:
1. Corbyn is not alone in finding old buildings boring. I always struggled to get my lot to traipse round medieval towns if there was anything else to do.williamglenn said:
2. I am surprised the Kaiser had a summer retreat in Austria-Hungary rather than in Germany.0 -
It is not going to happen but why would it save Corbyn if labour splitLuckyguy1983 said:
If this happens it will save Corbyn.MarqueeMark said:
Neil Blair. It really IS a Blairite coup.Scott_P said:
Question is - does he have J K Rowling's millions behind him when he speaks?0 -
You are Phyllis Stein, and I claim my fiver......SouthamObserver said:
1. Corbyn is not alone in finding old buildings boring. I always struggled to get my lot to traipse round medieval towns if there was anything else to do.williamglenn said:
You - and the little Phyllis Steins.0 -
It'll certainly energise his base. I'm struggling to think of a trio more likely to antagonise them than Rowling/Riley/Blair.Luckyguy1983 said:
If this happens it will save Corbyn.MarqueeMark said:
Neil Blair. It really IS a Blairite coup.Scott_P said:
Question is - does he have J K Rowling's millions behind him when he speaks?0 -
If you’re not put off by Jeremy Corbyn laying wreaths for terrorists, you’re not going to be too fussed that he doesn’t care for Secessionist architecture.0
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But surely he hates "all architecture" equally..?AlastairMeeks said:If you’re not put off by Jeremy Corbyn laying wreaths for terrorists, you’re not going to be too fussed that he doesn’t care for Secessionist architecture.
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The truth is, if you are a moderate Labour or Tory MP, your best bet at a personal level is to shut up, and wait a few years.
The pendulum will swing back. It always does. You will then find it far easier to attain power & influence.
By contrast, leave and it is many years of hard, thankless, and probably fruitless, slog.
Corby knew this. He never left Labour when it went through its "New Labour" incarnation. He knew he had to bide his time until the pendulum swung.
So, there won't be large-scale defections from either party.
As regards Rowling and the Blairs, that really is a Party of the Rich Multimillionaires. Look how damaging it has been to Macron to get labelled as the President of the Rich. Blair & Co pose no threat to anyone, except possibly Ms Rowling's reputation.0 -
Mr. Cwsc, depends how tight a grip the tentacles of socialism get on the throat of Labour. The party may be permanently lost to the far left.0
