UK Politics Thread [Archive] - Page 52 - SUBSIM Radio Room Forums

Moonlight

07-16-20, 05:22 AM

As this b.l.m movement has turned into a political movement I've put this in here, move it if you want to, although I don't know why you'd want to do that.

The sculpture of Black Lives Matter protester Jen Reid which replaced the statue of slaver Edward Colston was removed this morning.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/uknews/12137419/blm-sculpture-jen-reid-removed/

This statue had nothing to do with Bristol, its people, or its history, it was just a militant black power movements political symbol and it should have been dumped in a rubbish tip where it belongs.

And I say this to our political figures and especially the BBC and the rest of the mainstream media taking a knee every morning, one day you will reap what you sow.

Jimbuna

07-16-20, 07:38 AM

Council workers used ropes to secure the statue of Jen Reid before removing it and loading it into a recycling and skip hire lorry.

I must admit, that bit made me laugh :)

Jimbuna

07-18-20, 01:42 PM

Nine boats carrying 125 migrants have been intercepted on their way to the UK as searches continue for more vessels.

The Home Office said Border Force dealt with several incidents on Friday after being alerted to small boats in the Channel.

Meanwhile, French authorities picked up three migrants in a kayak plus another 15 in a broken down boat and returned them to France.

No nationality details were available at this stage, the Home Office said.

The migrants would be interviewed and dealt with in line with immigration rules, transferring to detention where appropriate, it added.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-53456488

I reckon Sir Winston Boris Cummings has taken one eye off the ball.

Jimbuna

07-20-20, 02:36 PM

The UK government will suspend its extradition treaty with Hong Kong "immediately and indefinitely".

Announcing the move, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the UK "wants a positive relationship" with China.

But he said the "imposition" of the new national security law in Hong Kong by Bejing was a "serious violation" of the country's international obligations.

Labour said it would support changes to the law, calling it a "step in the right direction".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53476811

Moonlight

07-23-20, 04:20 AM

FOOTING THE BILL Fury as Britain gives more than £70m in aid for super-rich China to train teachers and set up windfarms

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/12199100/britain-aid-rich-china/

That's an expensive chinese takeaway, I thought Bozo and all the rest of his dumb pillocks cabinet were going to do something about all of this nonsense, apparently not.
This money for nothing free for all from the British taxpayers is a bloody knife in the ribs for all the low paid workers of Britain, I'd like to look in their books and see who else is getting a brown envelope, I hope there's one coming my way soon as I need a new helicopter as the old ones knocking on a bit, Bozo you idiot, get these free handouts stopped Now. :doh:

Jimbuna

07-23-20, 04:24 AM

Agreed, this madness must stop.

Jimbuna

07-23-20, 04:47 AM

The response to the coronavirus pandemic has shown the "sheer might" of the UK union, Boris Johnson has said ahead of Thursday's visit to Scotland.

The trip, a year on since he became PM, will see Mr Johnson meet members of the armed forces and their families.

He said troops had done "vital work" to support the NHS during the pandemic and praised Treasury job retention schemes.

But the SNP said the visit showed Mr Johnson was "in a panic" about rising support for Scottish independence.

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said she had no plans to meet Mr Johnson, but that she would continue work with his government on the "immediate priority" of tackling coronavirus.

Mr Johnson said he "pledged to be a prime minister for every corner of the United Kingdom", adding that the response to the pandemic had shown his government's commitment to the whole of the UK.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-53485651

Should be interesting to see what response his visit generates....negative I suspect.

Jimbuna

07-25-20, 05:04 AM

The UK and EU have said they still remain some way off reaching a post-Brexit trade agreement, following the latest negotiations in London.

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier said a deal looked "at this point unlikely" given the UK position on fishing rights and post-Brexit competition rules.

His UK counterpart David Frost said "considerable gaps" remained in these areas, but a deal was still possible.

The UK has ruled out extending the December deadline to reach a deal.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53513612

Skybird

07-25-20, 05:07 AM

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/07/25/uk/boris-johnson-nicola-sturgeon-coronavirus-approach-gbr-intl/index.html

The disastrous handling of Corona by Johnson seems to inevitably lead to a divorce between Scotland and the rest of the UK. Not only did Corona ripple-bomb Brexit ambitions with unforseeable additional economic problems and complications, but the ahhandling of it by Johnson showed an awesomely awful level of misguided incompetence and populistic dilletantism. At least that is my perception from a distance: the UK did far worse than I expected, and I did not expect the best at all. My original position on Brexit is know by everybody, I was strictly pro Brexit. But I have very severe doubts that the UK can swallow all what has been thrown at it in the past 6 months. Corona. China pissed. US deal delayed until after Novembre, if ever coming, and thne either Trump will dictate terms and conditions, or Biden will remind the UK that it nevertheless lies in Europe. Plus some of what the Americans want and what the EU wants, is mutually exlcusive: certain food legislations for example.

It all has become a bit too much. Probably Brexit nevertheless will be completed, by I am not optimistic anymore for the time after that. And Johnson clearly has signalled his limitations.

Jimbuna

07-25-20, 08:25 AM

Still early days and only time will eventually tell.

Skybird

07-25-20, 08:27 AM

Every big problem once has been a small problem before - that was when it had to be solved.

Skybird

07-29-20, 11:10 AM

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/07/29/uk/eu-brexit-intl-gbr/index.html

I think Johnson'S Brexit plan needed a strong EU attention focus on the issue, on which he then could surf his Brexit agenda. But the wave has been collapsed by Corona and now he has nothing to surf on. TheEU has issues on its mind that are more relevant for the EU members. This lack of attention focus on the UK is somethign that takes all wind out of the UK's sail, as far as its intended future relation the the continent was concerned. EU members simply do not care anymore. And Johnson has nothing anymore to use for blackmailing them to enforce their interest or attention.

Brexit simply is not much relevant for the EU anymore. The new terrible EU fiscal regime - open destruction of the Masstricht treaty, collectivisation of debts and the ECB now openly financing states nd no longer hiding it that it does, and the union collectively making new debts - renders the costs of an unregulated Brexit irrelevant.

Its a fiscal-political nightmare what they have done in those four days. Worst it could not have gotten.

The illusion the EU bought with this desaster summit, will last only shortly. But they will be enough to make it impossible for the UK to keep the EU busy with thgreats or intidmiation attempts. That all has become irrelevant, thanks to a tiny virus.

Jimbuna

07-29-20, 01:19 PM

And so both sides must go on their separate ways.

Catfish

07-29-20, 03:05 PM

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enlightened_self-interest

Jimbuna

08-01-20, 05:08 AM

Here is a list of those who are being honoured or should I say 'set up for life'?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53606083

Jimbuna

08-03-20, 12:48 PM

Documents on UK-US trade talks, leaked ahead of the 2019 general election, were stolen from an email account belonging to Conservative MP Liam Fox, it has emerged.

The papers were published online and used by Labour in the 2019 campaign to claim the NHS would be put at risk.

The UK government has said Russians almost certainly sought to interfere in the election through the documents.

A criminal inquiry into the leaking of the documents is underway.

A spokesman for the National Crime Agency confirmed it was leading the investigation, but added he could not comment further.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53642923

skidman

08-03-20, 01:05 PM

Lock him up!

Jimbuna

08-05-20, 08:01 AM

Boris Johnson: Spitting Image puppet unveiled ahead of relaunch :haha:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53662230

Skybird

08-06-20, 02:14 PM

An opinion piece from "Die Welt".

The media dismay over the decision by the British government to exclude foreign and security policy from the Brexit negotiations is limited. On the one hand, this is realistic: there is basically no common European foreign and security policy that would be worth negotiating about.

On the other hand, this impotence is an expression of the very lack of interest. In Germany, for example, they were never ready to evaluate the dependence on Russian gas supplies or Chinese car buyers from a strategic point of view. In Britain, on the other hand, the political class and the media maintain the primacy of politics. For example, Boris Johnson, along with the other powers in the Anglosphere - the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand - has reacted much more sharply to the suspension of democracy in Hong Kong than the European Union, which is led by business interests.

Although Great Britain originally hoped to conclude advantageous business relations with China after breaking away from the EU as "Global Britain", it tacitly buried this hope in the face of Chinese aggression and also conceded its decision to allow the Chinese company Huawei to expand the UK 5G network participate. For the British, intelligence cooperation within the Anglosphere, the so-called "Five Eyes" alliance, was more important.

For a few months now, London has been promoting another form of international cooperation: a club of the ten most important democracies, the "D10", consisting of the G-7 members - USA, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Japan - plus Australia, South Korea and India. The primary goal: to develop an alternative to Huawei technology for 5G and to secure critical supply chains.

Even if London assures that the club should not represent an anti-Chinese alliance, the contours of an alliance are emerging that defends liberal against state monopoly capitalism, democracy against authoritarianism. Germany should not stand aside, but actively promote the D10 with London and advocate that the EU should not only enjoy observer status there, as with the G7, but should also have a seat and vote. Thus, the most important foreign and security policy questions between the EU and its ex-member would be clarified.

https://www.welt.de/debatte/kommentare/article213038050/Initiative-aus-London-Zehn-Demokratien-gegen-China.html

Jimbuna

08-07-20, 06:37 AM

Ex-Labour MP and former Army officer Eric Joyce has received a suspended sentence after he admitted making an indecent image of a child.

Joyce, 59, had a film on a device that "depicts a number of children" with one said to be 12 months old, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

The former shadow minister and ex-MP for Falkirk was arrested in 2018.

He was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years, and must complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

The court heard the 51-second category A film - the most serious there is - was accessed by Joyce, of Worlingworth, Suffolk, between August 2013 and November 2018.

It featured what appeared to be seven different children, aged between 12 months and seven years.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-53694012

What in Gods name goes on inside these peoples heads :nope:

Jimbuna

08-08-20, 07:19 AM

The UK and Japan hope to agree the details of a post-Brexit trade agreement by the end of the month.

The two sides said they had made progress during two days of face-to-face talks in London.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said there was "substantial" agreement in most areas.

And the UK's Liz Truss said there was a "consensus" on extending Japan's current trade standards with the EU in financial and digital services.

Earlier on Friday, there were reports that agriculture remained the last remaining obstacle to be overcome.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53697547

And most welcome it will be.

Jimbuna

08-09-20, 11:41 AM

The government is to spend up to £355m on a new system for moving goods into Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.

The system is required as a consequence of the NI part of the Brexit deal.

From 1 January, goods entering NI from GB will need customs declarations.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-53685266

I was wondering when the Irish problem would surface again.

Jimbuna

08-13-20, 05:56 AM

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said the government is "grappling with something that is unprecedented" after figures showed the UK economy suffered its biggest slump on record.

The economy shrank 20.4% between April and June compared with the first three months of the year.

The two consecutive quarters of decline caused by the Covid-19 lockdown pushed the UK officially into recession.

Mr Sunak told the BBC that it was "a very difficult and uncertain time".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-53753189

Thus far I believe we have only seen the tip of the iceberg.

Jimbuna

08-14-20, 10:19 AM

Seven people have been arrested after attacks on four political party headquarters, in which paint was reportedly thrown and windows broken.

The Metropolitan Police sent officers to buildings used by the Conservatives, Labour, the Lib Dems and the Green Party in London.

Pictures posted on Twitter by the Beyond Politics Party show pink paint daubed on masonry and windows.

Five people were arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage.

Two more were held on suspicion of burglary.

The incidents took place early on Thursday morning in Matthew Parker Street, Victoria Street, St Georges Street and Clements Road.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53770794

I suppose one could say all parties were ' tarred with the same brush' :O:

Jimbuna

08-15-20, 12:42 PM

New Zealand is "very frustrated" with the pace of post-Brexit trade talks with the UK, the country's deputy prime minister has said.

Winston Peters said the UK's EU membership had not left it "match fit" to negotiate its own agreements around the world.

The UK opened trade talks with New Zealand in July, but will not be able to sign a deal until next year.

The government said talks on a deal had been "positive and productive" so far.

Speaking to Times Radio, Mr Peters said the "prescription" for an agreement "could have been already virtually signed up to".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53755640

Jimbuna

08-16-20, 01:11 PM

Some restaurants and pubs are withdrawing from the Eat Out to Help Out scheme because of "hostility towards staff".

Under the scheme the government pays half of the bill on meals served from Monday to Wednesdays throughout August.

Owners says a surge in demand on these days has led to staff being shouted at, and "physical and mental stress".

In tourist-heavy areas like the South West many say the scheme is not helping at an already busy time of year.

Some say fewer customers are dining on other weekdays as a result.

The Treasury said the scheme was working.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-53769749

Some people just don't know when they are onto a good thing :nope:

Jimbuna

08-17-20, 12:28 PM

A-level and GCSE students in England will be given grades estimated by their teachers, rather than by an algorithm, after a government U-turn.

It follows uproar after about 40% of A-level results were downgraded by exams regulator Ofqual, which used a formula based on schools' prior grades.

GCSE results in England, Wales and Northern Ireland come out on Thursday.

Ofqual chair Roger Taylor and Education Secretary Gavin Williamson apologised for the "distress" caused.

Mr Williamson said students and parents had been affected by "significant inconsistencies" with the grading process.

In a statement, he acknowledged the "extraordinarily difficult" year for students, after exams were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He said No 10 had worked with Ofqual to design "the fairest possible model" but it had become clear that the process of awarding grades had resulted in "more significant inconsistencies than can be resolved through an appeals process".

The decision by the UK government brings England in line with the other UK nations.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53810655

Not before time. I sometimes find it difficult to defend the arrogance of this government!

Jimbuna

08-19-20, 06:44 AM

https://i.postimg.cc/X7P5t4Kx/22.jpg (https://postimg.cc/6ydTvsmG)
https://i.postimg.cc/K8gT2wJb/22a.jpg (https://postimg.cc/Xr4qK2R1)

Jimbuna

08-21-20, 06:29 AM

Brexit: UK-EU trade deal 'seems unlikely' says Michel Barnier

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53854730

Jimbuna

08-22-20, 10:59 AM

A group of politicians are threatening legal action unless Boris Johnson orders an independent investigation into Russian interference in elections.

The letter signed by Green MP Caroline Lucas and Labour's Chris Bryant follows a report which said the UK "badly underestimated" the Russian threat.

The parliamentarians argue the prime minister's "lack of action" breaches the right to free elections.

The government said the UK had "robust systems" to protect elections.

In July, Parliament's Intelligence and Security Committee published a long-awaited report into Russian activity in the UK including disinformation campaigns, cyber warfare and the targeting of Russian expatriates in the UK.

It claimed the government made no effort to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 EU referendum and called for "immediate action" including "an assessment of potential Russian interference" in the Brexit vote.

UK 'badly underestimated' Russian threat
Russia report: The unanswered questions
US intelligence chiefs have accused Russia of interfering in the 2016 presidential election and earlier this month they warned that China, Russia and Iran were among the countries seeking to influence this year's vote.

Now a group of MPs and peers in the UK say they will take the prime minister to court if he refuses to take "essential steps to protect future elections".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53862369

Jimbuna

08-27-20, 06:14 AM

Sir Ed Davey wins Liberal Democrat/Lame Duck leadership race.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-53933470

Jimbuna

08-29-20, 10:14 AM

https://i.postimg.cc/PrhtFj5P/118582396-3570364606331357-7889970076547157958-n.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

skidman

08-29-20, 01:17 PM

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xhdabsn8v6f437m/How%27s%20that%3F.jpg?raw=1

mapuc

08-29-20, 01:24 PM

?? Did your English Prime Minister really say what is written above him ??

If true..does this make him a bad politician despite his zero knowledge in sport ?

Markus

skidman

08-29-20, 01:28 PM

Aw, C'mon Markus!

Skybird

08-29-20, 03:28 PM

Do they have centuries in Rugby? I do not know the sport. I know centuries only as scores of 100 and higher in Snooker.

Linneker I recall as a football player, or does memory fool me?

And Wimbledon - Tennis.

Honestly said, I almost admire how that quote covers so many different sports in just one sentence. Its four in one sentence, or not? :D That must be the next level of multitasking communications. :har:

Jimbuna

08-30-20, 07:23 AM

?? Did your English Prime Minister really say what is written above him ??

If true..does this make him a bad politician despite his zero knowledge in sport ?

Markus

Simply a humorous attempt at showing what a growing number of people in the UK currently think of him.

For the record: Gary Lineker was not a rugby player but an England international footballer. A 'century' is usually referred to as being a batsmens run total or score in cricket and tennis is played at Wimbledon.

He often spouts out about things he has very little knowledge or understanding about but he is a well accomplished philanderer.

A bit like another high ranking politician often discussed on this forum some might say.

Jimbuna

08-31-20, 05:46 AM

Boris Johnson's string of U-turns are unsustainable and have created a "climate of uncertainty", a senior Conservative politician has warned.

Charles Walker, deputy chair of the 1922 Committee, said it was becoming "increasingly difficult" for Tory MPs to defend government policy.

The government has made several U-turns, most recently on face masks in schools and the grading of exams.

It comes as a new poll indicates that Labour has drawn level with the Tories.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53962883

Still a better PM than Corbyn would have been but not by a big margin.

Jimbuna

09-02-20, 07:39 AM

Today's PMQ's (Prime Minister's Questions)

Boris Johnson and Keir Starmer clash over the government's response to coronavirus.

PM said he won't meet families bereaved by coronavirus due to legal proceedings.

The families say it is "simply not true" that they are in litigation with the government.

Labour leader accused the PM of "serial incompetence" over coronavirus
Boris Johnson told MPs "we have succeeded in turning the tide of this pandemic"

Millions of pupils in England are back at school with new social distancing measures in classrooms.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has criticised easing of lockdown measures in the region.

JU_88

09-03-20, 08:08 AM

Labour leader accused the PM of "serial incompetence" over coronavirus
Boris Johnson told MPs "we have succeeded in turning the tide of this pandemic".

that combo of accusation and assertation is being parroted but just about every ruling party and every opposition in every democracy world over.
both are very empty and meaningless.

'We are turning the tide?' uh compared to who Boris? in what way? and how exactly did you messure /arrive at that that rosey eyed view the situation?

'Serial incompetence?' Does Starmer say what he would have done differently? and can he prove or messure his own competeance in that situation (without the benefit of hindsight.) No of course not.

empty meaningless words from them both.

Skybird

09-03-20, 08:35 AM

empty meaningless words from them both.
In other words: life-long career politicians demonstrating their excellence in what matters most in politics: babbling, deflecting, and demonstrating the versatility of Teflon in social behaviour and communication.

Jimbuna

09-03-20, 10:45 AM

that combo of accusation and assertation is being parroted but just about every ruling party and every opposition in every democracy world over.
both are very empty and meaningless.

'We are turning the tide?' uh compared to who Boris? in what way? and how exactly did you messure /arrive at that that rosey eyed view the situation?

'Serial incompetence?' Does Starmer say what he would have done differently? and can he prove or messure his own competeance in that situation (without the benefit of hindsight.) No of course not.

empty meaningless words from them both.

In other words: life-long career politicians demonstrating their excellence in what matters most in politics: babbling, deflecting, and demonstrating the versatility of Teflon in social behaviour and communication.

Pretty much so :yep:

Jimbuna

09-03-20, 10:56 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtqaiqXYwY8

Jimbuna

09-04-20, 04:01 AM

Haulage firms are warning of "significant gaps" in UK border plans for the end of the Brexit transition period on 31 December.

Eight groups warned ministers that if issues were not addressed, the supply chain "will be severely disrupted".

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the government will work to ensure the "best systems are in place".

The government has also given itself powers to build temporary lorry parks in England without local approval.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54021421

Jimbuna

09-05-20, 08:46 AM

Tony Abbott has said he is looking forward to contributing his "expertise" in global commerce to his new role as a trade adviser to the UK government.

The former Australian PM was appointed to the unpaid role on Friday, despite criticism over his past comments on women, LGBT people and climate change.

Mr Abbott, who led Australia from 2013-15, posted on Twitter that he was "only too keen" to help the UK.

But Labour said he should have been disqualified from the role.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54041414

Jimbuna

09-06-20, 05:21 AM

It looks like next week is the time to decide whether to pee or get off the pot.......eventually.

Dominic Raab accused the EU of 'double standards' today as he warned that the UK will walk away from post-Brexit trade talks rather than back down.

The Foreign Secretary said a deal was 'there for the taking', but insisted Brussels must recognise that discussions this week are a 'moment of reckoning'.

He pledged that the government will not 'haggle away' fishing rights or agree to be bound by EU rules just to get an agreement across the line.

The tough stance came after the UK's chief negotiator Lord Frost cautioned counterpart Michel Barnier that the UK will not 'blink' this time, unlike when Theresa May was in No10.

In an exclusive interview with The Mail on Sunday, Lord Frost said there was no prospect of forcing Britain to become a 'client state' of Brussels.

The comments will heighten gloom about a breakthrough, with Downing Street insiders now putting the chance of an agreement at just 30-40 per cent.

Speaking to Sky News this morning, Mr Raab said the government wanted to strike a deal with the EU, but it could not be based on 'double standards'.

'All the UK is asking for it to be treated like any other country in free trade negotiations,' he said.

'No other country would accept being bound by or controlled by the EU's rules.'

Mr Raab said there were 'really only two bones of contention left' - on fishing rights and whether the UK had to bow to Brussels edicts.

'We hope that the EU as a whole will really understand that this week is the moment of reckoning,' Mr Raab said.

'There is a deal to be done. We are only asking to be treated just as the EU would expect.

'We can't allow, as we leave the EU, for the EU to control our rules.'

He added: 'The only question is why we should be treated with such double standards.'

'There is a good deal there for the EU, we'd love to do that free trade agreement and if not we'll fall back on Australian-style rules.

'I think this week is an important moment for the EU to really effectively recognise that those two point of principles are not something we can just haggle away – they are the very reasons we are leaving the EU, but we want a positive relationship and the arm of friendship and goodwill is extended.'

Mr Barnier is due to arrive in London for the crunch round of talks on Tuesday.

The two sides have just weeks to finalise any legally binding agreement that needs to be in force by December 31 if a No Deal Brexit is to be avoided.

In the interview – his first since being appointed in January – Lord Frost said the EU needed to realise that Mr Johnson's Government was adopting a more steely and determined approach than Mrs May's.

He said: 'We came in after a Government and negotiating team that had blinked and had its bluff called at critical moments and the EU had learned not to take our word seriously.

'So a lot of what we are trying to do this year is to get them to realise that we mean what we say and they should take our position seriously.'

To demonstrate the Government's readiness to accept No Deal, the Prime Minister has created a No 10 Transition Hub, with officials across key departments said to be 'working at pace' to prepare to trade without arrangements in place.

The unit, boasting 'handpicked' officials from across Whitehall, will work with Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove, who has led the Government's work on No Deal preparations since last year.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/brexit/dominic-raab-accuses-eu-of-double-standards-ahead-of-crunch-talks/ar-BB18KIfS?li=BBoPWjQ&ocid=mailsignout

Catfish

09-07-20, 02:07 AM

(Boris Johnson 2013)

“Let us suppose you are losing an argument. The facts are overwhelmingly against you, and the more people focus on the reality the worse it is for you and your case. Your best bet in these circumstances is to perform a manoeuvre that a great campaigner describes as ‘throwing a dead cat on the table, mate’.

“That is because there is one thing that is absolutely certain about throwing a dead cat on the dining room table – and I don’t mean that people will be outraged, alarmed, disgusted. That is true, but irrelevant. The key point, says my Australian friend, is that everyone will shout ‘Jeez, mate, there’s a dead cat on the table!’; in other words they will be talking about the dead cat, the thing you want them to talk about, and they will not be talking about the issue that has been causing you so much grief.”

JU_88

09-07-20, 03:24 AM

Yeah oldest dirty trick in the book, works best when said politician/leader as the wieght of their opposostions supporters in the media/press to make a big fuss over said dead cat.

We partially have ourselves to blame for lapping it up.
That said it is funny when a dead cat is thrown but doesnt stick.
(it can back fire hilariously sometimes)

Cant say i care much about Abbot, Will Abbots 'trade advice' be good or bad? Who cares right? he said the mean thing!...though we trade with Trump who also says mean things... and we trade with Jinping who actually do mean things.
I can be white/black/man/woman/straight/LGBT and accept some people some where will think and maybe even say disparaging things about my identity. And I can even accept some of those people will attain positions of power - which can make me feel very uncomfortable, but it can be a cruel world and always feeling comfortable is not a right, because that is basically asking for utopia.
What really matters to me is whether or not they are able and willing to act /legislate on those messed up beliefs or not.

Jimbuna

09-07-20, 04:33 AM

It would appear that Boris is trying to increase pressure on the EU ahead of tomorrows negotiations.

I have one or two reservations about that and wonder if it might be best for both parties to agree on a position of failure to agree.

Ministers are planning new legislation that would override a key part of last year's EU withdrawal agreement.

The move could change the nature of new Northern Ireland customs arrangements which were intended to prevent the return of checks at the border with the Irish Republic.

Downing Street said it was a standby plan in case trade talks fail.

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier accused the UK of wanting the "best of both worlds" on trade.

Although the UK formally left the EU in January, it has continued to follow rules set in Brussels during a transition period - which ends in December - while discussions over a long-term trade agreement continue.

Another round of talks - the eighth - begins on Tuesday, aimed at securing a deal to allow companies in the EU and UK to trade without taxes or customs checks.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54051933

Catfish

09-08-20, 06:32 AM

It would appear that Boris is trying to increase pressure on the EU ahead of tomorrows negotiations. [...]
That is the dead cat on the table.
But it seems some are not willing to only speak about the cat.

Brexit talks 'null and void' if divorce deal not implemented: Irish PM (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-eu-ireland/brexit-talks-null-and-void-if-divorce-deal-not-implemented-irish-pm-idUSKBN25Z0U7)

Head of UK government's legal department quits over Johnson Brexit deal threat: FT (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-eu-resignation/head-of-uk-governments-legal-department-quits-over-brexit-deal-threat-ft-idUSKBN25Z1GF)

I have one or two reservations about that and wonder if it might be best for both parties to agree on a position of failure to agree.I agree, stop the charade. After all no deal is what Cummings, Farage and the brexiters wanted all the time. At least i only see them and their opinions, everywhere and again and again in the media.

Jimbuna

09-08-20, 08:11 AM

Sooooo...today is the big day.

Wonder what will be the leading story on the tv news channels tonight :hmmm:

JU_88

09-08-20, 09:33 AM

brexwhat? oh yeah that :P
Arranging the Deck Chairs on the Titanic at this point, Both UK and EU are probably going down the ****ter for the next few years, regardless. (Division, Covid, recession etc)
In my last year of living in London, moving to a quiet little mountain town in Spain, cant wait. :)

Skybird

09-08-20, 02:54 PM

.................................................. .........My negotiation position is already clear!

https://www.tagesspiegel.de/images/position_ts/26169376/2-format1007.jpg
Der Tagesspiegel

mapuc

09-08-20, 03:58 PM

If a miracle should happen there will be a deal

As it is now and as I understand it...they are very far from a deal and we are approaching the finish line fast.

In other places I have read other people discussing this.

In common most of them was negative to UK and their demands.

Can't remember all the text in these comments -but it made me remember some episode of WWII

England was a leading factor in world politics before WWII, they have now in the end of WWII lost this position.

Markus

Skybird

09-08-20, 06:23 PM

Corona has completly messed up my thinking about whether it is wise or not to brexit, but as it stands, its a fact. I just cannot form an opinion anymore whetehr or not I think in the long run it will do more good than bad for the UK - Corona has completey reshuffled the cards.

As for the present, I think Johnson never wanted a deal. With the threat to break international treaties in a mysterious manner only he seem to have understood, he bluffs the EU. The bluff aims at making the EU walk away first, so that he can get no deal Brexit but can also say: "it was not me walking away, the EU did end it."

He probably will get his way this or in another way. From next year on we will then start to learn what comes from this Brexit in Corona's very new world.

Catfish

09-09-20, 01:55 AM

“This bill will also give the UK government new spending powers to drive our economic recovery from COVID-19 and support businesses and communities right across the UK,” said Michael Gove, a cabinet minister.

“No longer will unelected EU bodies be spending our money on our behalf. These new spending powers will mean that these decisions will now be made in the UK, focus on UK priorities and be accountable to the UK parliament and people of the UK.”
(Reuters, september 9th)

They will never admit that they lied all the time.
On the other hand, will there be anyone to believe them anymore? :o

edit: strange, no news.. all is from yesterday
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-54081211

So no consent from Scotland to BJ's plans?

Jimbuna

09-09-20, 09:10 AM

In common most of them was negative to UK and their demands.

Ask them what exactly it is that the UK are 'demanding'

As far as I'm aware the UK is trying to negotiate a free trade agreement.

Catfish

09-09-20, 01:44 PM

Let's say I would not want to be in BJ's shoes.

Jimbuna

09-09-20, 02:06 PM

Let's say I would not want to be in BJ's shoes.

Oh I'm not sure about that....he's always been lucky with the women :03:

mapuc

09-09-20, 02:27 PM

Ask them what exactly it is that the UK are 'demanding'

As far as I'm aware the UK is trying to negotiate a free trade agreement.

I'm not so active on FB anymore...I use to give a like a lol a angry a.s.o now and then...it happens I write a comment on a friends wall on his/her bulletin

Mostly I just scroll and scroll and scroll and it happens a friend have written something I read

And it was in one of these I read how one of my Pro-EU friends had written a negative UK bulletin. His friends supported him-which is normal -we seek those friends who agree with you.

If it should return again when I'm scrolling I will put forward your question.

Markus

Catfish

09-10-20, 05:21 AM

https://i.imgur.com/5MAtmJ5h.png

Hmm quality is so bad .. why? The original is well readable, and it is not resized by Imgur :hmmm:

Jimbuna

09-10-20, 08:29 AM

The EU says it has "serious concerns" about UK moves to override key parts of the Brexit divorce deal.

EU official Maros Sefcovic was speaking ahead of emergency talks with Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove on how the changes could affect Northern Ireland.

The government says it is trying to protect the UK's internal market and the Northern Ireland peace process.

Meanwhile, trade talks between the UK's Brexit negotiator Lord Frost and his EU counterpart Michel Barnier continue.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54097320

Skybird

09-10-20, 01:44 PM

The EU has directed a clear ultimatum at the UK to move back on its threat to break international law by unilaterally rewriting the withdraw agreement. It was also said that the EU will also seek legal actions against the UK in that case.

Pelosi has issued a warning as well, saying ni deal with the US will pass Congress if UK does violate the agreements that led to the peace deal in Northern Ireland. ""If the UK violates that international treaty (https://cnn.com/2020/09/09/uk/boris-johnson-rule-of-law-brexit-intl-gbr/index.html) and Brexit undermines the Good Friday accord, there will be absolutely no chance of a US-UK trade agreement passing the Congress,"Pelosi said.

Johnson must have stopped thinking serious. That the Americans would not play ball with his stunt, was relatively foreseeable. Trump cannot decide this alone.

I must aggree with both the EU and Pelosi on this. If it was a stupid withdraw agreement, then it shouldnt have been signed. But treaties must be honoured, else the signing side breaking them proves that it makes no sense to negotiate any further treaties with them. And so, nobody will.

Moonlight

09-10-20, 01:55 PM

I'm sure scenarios like this one were thought up by the Whitehall mandarins months ago, Bozo has caught the EU with its pants down, as far as he's concerned everything is going to plan.

Threatening to take the British government to court smacks of desperation on the EU's side as far as I'm concerned, didn't they do any risk assessment studies like this one because if they had they would have had a ready made answer for Bozo. :o

Skybird

09-10-20, 03:54 PM

I cannot see the eU this time beign caught with pants down. I think Johnson simply overplays his card this time. And the warning from the US congress, supported not just by the Democrats majoprity there, but also by many diplomats, also speaks a clear languare. The world looks and see the UK not sticking to its treatiesa. So tell me - why woudl anyone then care anymore to negotiate a trade ahgreement with the UK if it may or may not stick to it anyway, may or may not honour it streaty obligations?

If it smells of despair, then on sid eof Drowning Street this time. maybe they see how Corona is turning their fiscal plans for Brexit into pig'S breakfast, and wnat to generate more income by uniliaterally chnaging parts of the withdrawel agreement, since what they want to delete touches on customs - but they can do so only at the price of ther world not caring to negotiate any deals with them anymore.

Nobody "trusts" somebody who cheats treaties this openly. Johnson shows that treaties with the UK are worth nothing anymore. And that will cost the UK dearly and will show to be Johnson's biggest mistake ever, if he does it indeed.

And the trade deal with the US will not happen, too. Congress needs to approve such a deal, right? And its also not certain that Trump will win for the WH.

Edit:

Die Welt writes:

The British Prime Minister broke the law - even before the law was passed in the British Parliament. At least that's the analysis of the EU Commission's lawyers. The exit agreement, which Johnson wants to relativize with his legislative initiative, has been in force since February 1st. Since then, "neither side has been allowed to unilaterally change, clarify, supplement, interpret or not use the text," says the EU legal opinion, according to the Irish broadcaster RTE. The Brussels authority can therefore immediately initiate proceedings against the British before the European Court of Justice, which could result in a fine or the suspension of parts of the exit agreement and the - still to be negotiated - free trade agreement.

The British government even shares this legal opinion. Northern Ireland Minister Brandon Lewis admitted in the House of Commons that "the law violates international law in a very specific and limited way." Previously, the Chief Justice Department official, Jonathan Jones, resigned immediately after the draft became known. Officially, he did not give any reasons. According to consistent media reports, Jones considered remaining in office in view of the violation of the law by his government as impossible.

Pacta sunt servanda. If you sign stupid treaties, that's your fault then.

Jimbuna

09-11-20, 04:53 AM

Jimbuna

09-11-20, 04:55 AM

The UK has struck its first major post-Brexit trade deal after signing an agreement in principle with Japan which aims to boost trade by about £15bn.

International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said it was an "historic moment" for the two countries.

She said it would bring "new wins" for British businesses in manufacturing, food and drink, and tech industries.

However, critics say such deals will not replace trade likely to be lost if the UK cannot agree a deal with the EU.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54116606

A positive start nevertheless.

Skybird

09-11-20, 05:12 AM

Not about to start arguing with you on the subject matter but hasn't much of the world forgiven your country for all the treaties that have been broken over the past hundred years or so? :03:
That answer does not convinve. Nor does it say anything relevant on what happens right now. You know how I think about the EU, the Euro legislation, and Brexit. And still I psoition myself against Johnson here. I thinkt hat withdrawel agreement goes too far on conessions. i would not have signed it. But now that it has been signed, it must be honoured. Pacta sunt servanda. Else any further furutre talks and treaties with you are pointless. mean nothing.

Either there is trust, or there is none.

And the concerns about the Irish issue are relevant for sure. That queston never has been solved at all in the past two, three years. A fact it now reminds everybody of.

I'm quite certain that whent he ultimatum has ended the EU will walk away this time. Maybe even launches a case at the EU court. To which the UK still must comply for the time being. If it ignores that, too, you can forget any treaty and deal with the EU for many years to come. Nobody will see you as trustworthy anymore. Before Corona, that would not have worried me too much. But now, whith things beign as they are and Corona massacring the money system and the economy, it is a concern topping the list.

Jimbuna

09-11-20, 05:33 AM

That may well be the case but for now I say let the press have free reign, something these appear to be good at these days then we shall all know the outcome in a month or two.

I'm happy either way but the bottom line for me is Boris promised BREXIT and thus far he is delivering just that.

What eggs need breaking to make the omelette nobody yet knows for sure.

I'm no big fan of Boris but I'm still convinced he was a better alternative than Steptoe, even if he is a philandering buffoon.

Skybird

09-11-20, 05:38 AM

Nor did I ever express sympathy for Labour'slittle Marxist in disguise!

Jimbuna

09-11-20, 05:46 AM

I'm well aware of that and apologise if you thought that is what I was trying to allude to.

MGR1

09-11-20, 09:17 AM

What I find most interesting about this latest row is that, as far as I'm aware, there hasn't been any mention of this internal market bill's effects on the devolution settlement with NI, Scotland and Wales etc in any of the UK wide news outlets.

As the main focus has been the bill's effects on the Withdrawal Agreement with the EU have any of the England-only news outlets mentioned the devolution side of it? Up here in Scotland we've been getting both sides of the bill's effect.

Scotland:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-53423452

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-54065391

Wales:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-54072660 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-54072660?intlink_from_url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/wales/wales_politics&link_location=live-reporting-story)

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-54090332 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-54090332?intlink_from_url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/wales/wales_politics&link_location=live-reporting-story)

Northern Ireland:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-54099832

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-54050248

Mike.

Skybird

09-11-20, 09:31 AM

I'm well aware of that and apologise if you thought that is what I was trying to allude to.
Dont be funny, no need to excuse for anything, since no harm was done by anyone!

JU_88

09-11-20, 10:46 AM

Jimbuna

09-11-20, 11:02 AM

Can't say my future expectations of either the Europian Union or Post Brexit Britian are particullarly high.

Yep :yep:

Jimbuna

09-11-20, 11:05 AM

A good representation on the subject of trade in layman's terms.

Brexit: What trade deals has the UK done so far?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-47213842

Catfish

09-11-20, 03:21 PM

At this point, Ive kind of given up all reading about Brexit, given the current state of the world, it all seems abit academic now. I suppose I will sit back and see what unfolds and reserve judgement until then.
Not that Ill be living in the Uk much longer....

Can't say my future expectations of either the Europian Union or Post Brexit Britian are particullarly high.
Why don't you "live in the Uk much longer"?
With the "UK" (if it remains the UK) i am not sure when it comes to trade, we will see. Four years for a trade with Japan, ok, and no advantage compared to be in the EU towards Japan.
Regarding the EU i am a bit underwhelmed when it comes to absolute and unconditional rescue of shipwrecked fugitives.. when it comes to freedom of travel, working, trade exchange of science and international discussions i do not see any better worldwide.
Main problem are nationalistic and xenophobic tencencies in governments of Romania and Poland, but you can hardly blame this on the EU.

Catfish

09-11-20, 03:26 PM

Not about to start arguing with you on the subject matter but hasn't much of the world forgiven your country for all the treaties that have been broken over the past hundred years or so? :03:
You asked Skybird, but ...

Forgiving a country, or forgiving citizens of today that have nothing to do with what happened in the past?
Can anyone feel responsible or guilty for what was done two generations ago by humans he never met or knew? Surely not.
Should anyone try to never let such things never happen again? Absolutely.

But do you ask yourself whether colonies, slaves or whatever xour glorious Empire suppressed and killed forgive "England"? Which England? The 'nation'? The England of today?

JU_88

09-11-20, 04:28 PM

Catfish, we move to spain next year. Nothing to do with brexit. It was always the plan. My wife is spanish. We bought a place over there And with our son turning 11. We want him starting secondary in spain.
I think is said my peice on the EU 100 times on here already. Some good. Some bad.
Ill continue to live with in it. Ill let you know that goes.
I dont have crystal ball but i dont see it returning to the pre 2008 glory days. Whether it survives as an institution? All bets are off.

mapuc

09-11-20, 04:35 PM

Even though this is an international forum and this is the UK Politics thread I wonder why any of my European friends hasn't started an EU thread.

EU has a huge influence on us European whether we like it or not.

I don't know how much influence the EU will have on Britain after Jan. 1 2021.

Markus

Skybird

09-11-20, 05:20 PM

Regarding the EU i am a bit underwhelmed when it comes to rejecting to rescue foreign people who show up with several thousand dollars to pay criminal smugglers to make them bringing them into artifically created naval emergency so that they can morally blackmail Europe to rescue them from self-induced emergency.
Corrected that for you. ;)

When it comes to freedom of travel
Its a given. You can ask any time. You may need permission by your hosting country or country you transit through whether they want to let you in or not, which is okay, since it is the locals' home, not yours. If I want to drive to spaoin or onto the Balkans, I can expect to not get blocked.

I mean you do not let just every stranger strolling by right into your house, too - or do you?

working,You can ask anywhere for a job to learn whether you are needed and wanted. I did it over a dozen times in my life, and always got a job for a slogn as I wanted it. Jobs I did not want to do, I did not ask for.

tradeIt seems the EU has a problem with leaving trade as that: trade, and nothing more. They use trade to missionize and to enforce their own rule and control on thigns that have nothign nto do with trade.

exchange of science and international discussionsWho hinders whom? Business secrets and military secrets excluded, of course, which is only rational.I read studies on Covid 19 from all over the world every week, several of them.

Main problem are nationalistic and xenophobic tencencies in governments of Romania and Poland, but you can hardly blame this on the EUIts last but not least Germany's lonely and uncommunicated decision form 2015 and the EU's batant ignoration of so many people's rejection to getting ever more foreign migrants from the ME and Africa impose donto them that ahs amde populations across Europe become so hostile to EU mirgaiton policies. And as Seehofer explkained in the Budnestag today and implied further, niobody wnats a repeation of 2015 loss of control and rise/further strengthening of the AfD.

I recently read that in France, every day 1-2 chuches get defamed, set on fire, vandalized. 40-50 churches per year are givne up and get lost or rededicated (they are not owned by the catholic church, but the French communities). But every 10-14 days, a new mosque gets opened.

And when you say you do no like that, you get called a xenophobe or nationalist.

skidman

09-11-20, 06:29 PM

Regarding the EU i am a bit underwhelmed when it comes to absolute and unconditional rescue of shipwrecked fugitives..

And lets not forget that illegal and inhuman Frontex push-back-operations have become a frequent conduct inwardly applauded by racist idiots who boast about their alleged cultural supremacy, but in fact are the scum of the earth.

when it comes to freedom of travel, working, trade exchange of science and international discussions i do not see any better worldwide.

I'd like to add environmental standards, collective rules for occupational health and safety, free choice of residence, common rules for product liability, warranty claims and consumer protection.

As a true European citizen who crosses borders (NL/BEL/GER) several times a day, delivering service for our European customers and partners and used to live in the Netherlands for 11 years I am deeply convinced the EU is the best thing that has ever happened to the continent. It's a shame that some dwarfish brains will never get it.

Main problem are nationalistic and xenophobic tencencies in governments of Romania and Poland, but you can hardly blame this on the EU.

No you can't. But the EU has to develop legal procedures to not only sanction countries like Hungary, that constantly violate civil rights, but to actually throw them out.

JU_88

09-12-20, 01:54 AM

The Eu wont throw anyone out, as its completley counter productive to its vision and long term goals.
For the Eu that's continous expansion, and here (when the likes of Verhofstadt speak of these things,) the Darker side of the Eu is visible.

Those with nationalistic and xenophobic tencencies do push out some appalling rhetoric, but conflating all EU skeptisism with nationalistic and xenophobic tencencies is also appalling rhetoric.

The Eu is complicated beast and has been benefit and a detrement to different people in many different ways, people expressing cherry picked, one sided views on it, is nothing but dogmactic projection.

"I cant really be bothered to read up on it beyond my media diet of confirmation bias, but i feel this has been a good/bad thing for me overall, so it must be a good/bad thing for everyone." - is not a very respectable polticial decision making process, but unfortunatley its the most natural one.

Jimbuna

09-12-20, 04:59 AM

You asked Skybird, but ...

Forgiving a country, or forgiving citizens of today that have nothing to do with what happened in the past?
Can anyone feel responsible or guilty for what was done two generations ago by humans he never met or knew? Surely not.
Should anyone try to never let such things never happen again? Absolutely.

But do you ask yourself whether colonies, slaves or whatever xour glorious Empire suppressed and killed forgive "England"? Which England? The 'nation'? The England of today?

I thought the winking smiley at the end said it all :03:

Jimbuna

09-12-20, 05:01 AM

Boris Johnson has urged Conservative MPs to back his plan to override part of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.

In a Zoom call with about 250 of them, he said the party must not return to "miserable squabbling" over Europe.

The EU has warned the UK it could face legal action if it does not ditch controversial elements of the Internal Market Bill by the end of the month.

And a Tory MP has proposed an amendment to the bill, which would affect trade between Britain and Northern Ireland.

Meanwhile, the European Parliament has threatened to scupper any UK-EU trade deal if the bill becomes UK law.

The two sides have less than five weeks to agree a deal before Mr Johnson's 15 October deadline - after which he says he is prepared to "walk away".

Informal talks are due to resume on Monday, with the next official round of talks - the ninth since March - starting in Brussels on 28 September.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54127214

This could be the first sign of a fracture in the Tories :hmmm:

Catfish

09-12-20, 01:11 PM

I thought the winking smiley at the end said it all :03:
Seems i was in a bad mood, as it usually happens if someone mentions brexit, Trump or other natural disasters :03:

Jimbuna

09-13-20, 05:52 AM

Former Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Sir John Major have urged Parliament to reject Boris Johnson's "shameful" attempt to override parts of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement.

The PM has said the European Union is threatening to impose a customs border in the Irish Sea, separating Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.

Mr Blair and Sir John have accused the government of "embarrassing" the UK.

The Internal Market Bill will be debated in the Commons on Monday.

The bill would go against the Withdrawal Agreement, signed by the UK and EU earlier this year.

It addresses the Northern Ireland Protocol - the part of the Agreement designed to prevent a hard border returning to the island of Ireland.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54135231

Jimbuna

09-14-20, 07:49 AM

David Cameron has become the fifth former prime minister to criticise a new bill attempting to override the Brexit withdrawal agreement.

The Internal Market Bill will come before MPs later, with the government calling it an "insurance policy".

Mr Cameron said he had "misgivings" over it and breaking an international treaty should be the "final resort".

Former Tory PMs Theresa May and Sir John Major, and Labour's Tony Blair and Gordon Brown have condemned the plan.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54145202

Boris may be getting too big for his boots.

Despite having a Parliamentary lead of around eighty seats there are a growing number of Tories who are against him on this issue.

JU_88

09-14-20, 09:55 AM

Yeah, Boris is walking on some thin ice right now. His name could very well be mud come next year.

He is making quite a gamble.

Jimbuna

09-14-20, 01:54 PM

Boris Johnson has said the UK must reserve the right to override the Brexit deal to protect the country's "economic and political integrity".

The PM said legislation was needed to resolve "tensions" in the EU-UK deal.

He said it would ensure the UK could not be "broken up" by a foreign power and the EU was acting in an "extreme way", by threatening food exports.

Labour said the PM had caused the "mess" by reneging on a deal he had previously called a "triumph".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54153302

Boris Johnson says powers will ensure UK cannot be 'broken up' but I'd say he's doing a pretty good job of that himself, especially where Scotland is concerned.

Skybird

09-14-20, 02:44 PM

If he did not like it, he shouldn't have signed it. Its a formality of legal consequences so potentially harmful that it is the only thing I care about in this. I may see the Irish question like him, or not - it does not matter. Pacta sunt servanda. That is the only object of interest right now.

I do not know what legal ways therer are to formally end that withdrawel agreement in total. If that is the way out, so be it. Of course, every treaty can be started - and also ended again, even if it says it should have eternal validity. Such clause of course always is invalid since it never can be seen as valid in the first. Like you can begin a memberhsip, you must also be able to leave the member's club.

But the formally legal ways should be followed, else nobody will have trust to sign a teaty with the offender again. Its so simple to understand. And he nevertheless tries to ape around it. Idiot.

Oh, I think he will fail this time.

Moonlight

09-14-20, 04:27 PM

Bozo should give that Poison Dwarf up in Scotland another chance to win their independence, if she gets another chance of one I hope the little currant wins it. Good luck Scotland and a big **** off from from me and millions of like minded people. :haha:

As for Bozo and this Brexit fiasco he should 3 line whip the bastards into line, we'll see then if those MPs have got the bottle for a fight instead of cowering behind the backbench mouthpieces. Go get em Bozo.

JU_88

09-15-20, 03:14 AM

Dont be so tribal against scotland!
Anyway Jimmy Cranky (as Jim calls her) is in freefall at the moment.
And the SNP's popularity is starting to wane. cant say im too surprised with some of the insane policies they have been peddling recently, particularly when it comes to policing speech.

Jimbuna

09-15-20, 07:24 AM

Ex-Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke has been jailed for two years for sexually assaulting two women.
Elphicke, 49, the former MP for Dover, was convicted of groping the women in similar situations, nine years apart.
He denied the charges, but was found guilty of one count of sexual assault in 2007 and two further counts in 2016, after a trial at Southwark Crown Court.
The judge told Elphicke he was a "sexual predator who used your success and respectability as a cover".
The defendant's wife Natalie, the current Dover MP, ended their marriage after his conviction in July.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-54161766

Some people just can't balance power and responsibility.

Moonlight

09-15-20, 08:59 AM

Oh, I think he will fail this time.

I think before coming out with statements like that one above Skybird one must assess the publics mood on the subject, anything that removes the EU's involvement in British affairs will get a Brexiteer thumbs up from me and millions of others as well.
Its time these London Journalists got out and about and into the heartlands of England to ask them what they think about all this nonsense, I'm sure they would all go whimpering back to that rathole they came from with more than a flea in their ear. :haha:

Onkel Neal

09-15-20, 09:07 AM

You asked Skybird, but ...

Forgiving a country, or forgiving citizens of today that have nothing to do with what happened in the past?
Can anyone feel responsible or guilty for what was done two generations ago by humans he never met or knew? Surely not.
Should anyone try to never let such things never happen again? Absolutely.

But do you ask yourself whether colonies, slaves or whatever xour glorious Empire suppressed and killed forgive "England"? Which England? The 'nation'? The England of today?

Yeah, that's how I feel about SLAVERY, I'm right there with you. Tired of hearing about it.

Jimbuna

09-15-20, 11:06 AM

A proposed law giving Boris Johnson's government the power to override parts of the Brexit agreement with the EU has passed its first hurdle in the Commons.

MPs backed the Internal Market Bill by 340 votes to 263.

Ministers say it contains vital safeguards to protect Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, if negotiations on a future trade deal break down.

But critics, including a number of Tory MPs, warned it risks damaging the UK by breaching international law.

Two Tory MPs voted against the bill on Monday night - Sir Roger Gale and Andrew Percy - while a further 30 abstained, although some of those may not have been for political reasons.

Although the government has a majority of 80 in the Commons, it is braced for further rebellions in the coming weeks as the legislation receives detailed scrutiny.

Several prominent Conservatives, including former Chancellor Sajid Javid - who appeared to abstain on Monday - have said they could not support the final bill unless it is amended.

But Home Secretary Priti Patel insisted it put the "safeguards and mechanisms in place to ensure that we stay true to the people of Northern Ireland".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54156419

MGR1

09-15-20, 03:24 PM

Bozo should give that Poison Dwarf up in Scotland another chance to win their independence, if she gets another chance of one I hope the little currant wins it. Good luck Scotland and a big **** off from from me and millions of like minded people. :haha:

Oi, don't get Scotland and Glasgow mixed up, matey!:timeout: The Weegies like to think they ARE Scotland but they aren't.

Dont be so tribal against scotland!
Anyway Jimmy Cranky (as Jim calls her) is in freefall at the moment.
And the SNP's popularity is starting to wane. cant say im too surprised with some of the insane policies they have been peddling recently, particularly when it comes to policing speech.

Never underestimate the stupidity of Weegie left-wingers - they mindlessly voted Labour before and they're just as mindlessly voting for the SNP now.

Mike.

Moonlight

09-15-20, 04:44 PM

I'd never heard the term weegies before today so I looked the word up, mind boggling to say the least, my apologies to all none weegies.

Just 1 definition of the slang word Weegie, there's more but this one says it all, I've no idea who wrote it or why they even think a weegie is the scum of the earth, there's some strange people about these days. :o

A weegie is someone from Glasgow, Scotland. Weegies are the scum of the earth who have no jobs and don't know what a bar of soap is. they have never had a wash and are scared of water. They are all inbred and there father and mother are sister and brother. Weegies have no money and are all on the dole. they collect there giro every week to buy there smack and buckie and then occasionaly go and gloryhunt by watching either Glasgow Rangers or Celtic on a saturday but dont know anything about the team. Weegies are scum of the earth.
"Feed the weegies, let them know it's christmas time"

"You are a weegie, a smelly weegie, your only happy on giro day. Yer ma's stealer, yer dad's a dealer, so please dont take my hub caps away"

Jimbuna

09-16-20, 06:16 AM

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is in Washington, where he is expected to try to reassure US politicians about the latest Brexit developments.

Some US politicians are concerned about the UK government's plan to override parts of the Brexit divorce deal.

Mr Raab will meet US Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who last week said there would be no UK-US trade deal if the Good Friday Agreement was undermined.

No 10 has said the 1998 peace accord will be upheld in all circumstances.

Mr Raab is due to meet leading politicians including his US counterpart, Mike Pompeo, as well as Democratic Congresswoman Ms Pelosi, who is speaker of the House of Representatives.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54171571

I reckon a lot of people will take a lot of convincing.

MGR1

09-16-20, 11:47 AM

Jimbuna

09-16-20, 01:13 PM

Boris Johnson has told MPs he believes the EU may not be negotiating with the UK in good faith.

The PM was explaining why he wants to overwrite parts of the Brexit deal he signed with the EU in January.

He said it was to prevent the EU behaving in an "unreasonable" way if the UK fails to agree a trade deal.

Pressed by Labour's Hilary Benn on whether he thought the EU was negotiating in good faith, he said: "I don't believe they are."

This contradicted Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis, who earlier told MPs he believed the EU was acting in good faith.

When that was put to him, Mr Johnson said it was "always possible that I am mistaken and perhaps they will prove my suspicions wrong".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54170397

Skybird

09-17-20, 05:16 AM

Biden repeats warnings to the UK by Pelosi over Northern Ireland, saying peace in NI must not become a victim of Brexit if the UK wants a trade deal with the US.

Jimbuna

09-17-20, 12:46 PM

Government plans to amend a controversial bill that overrides sections of the Brexit divorce deal have been rejected by former Tory leader Lord Howard.

The peer said the compromise between No 10 and Tory MPs "isn't enough" for him to back it in the House of Lords.

The proposed changes would hand the Commons a say before powers to break international law could be used.

MPs will vote on them next week, before the bill heads to the Lords.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54190242

Jimbuna

09-18-20, 11:38 AM

Amal Clooney has quit her role as the UK's envoy on press freedom "in dismay" at the government's willingness to break international law over Brexit.

The human rights lawyer said it was "lamentable" for Boris Johnson to be contemplating overriding the Brexit agreement he signed last year.

She could not tell others to honour legal obligations when the UK "declares it does not intend to do so itself".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54210658

Catfish

09-18-20, 02:48 PM

Boris Johnson has told MPs he believes the EU may not be negotiating with the UK in good faith .[...]
She could not tell others to honour legal obligations when the UK "declares it does not intend to do so itself"
Acting "in good faith" depends on who says or believes in it :03:

Jimbuna

09-19-20, 06:48 AM

Acting "in good faith" depends on who says or believes in it :03:

Especially in the case of politicians.

Jimbuna

09-19-20, 06:52 AM

This is the second such incident since February :o

Dominic Raab's bodyguard has been "removed from operational duties" after allegedly leaving his gun on a plane at Heathrow.

A cleaner is reported to have found the loaded Glock 19 pistol in its holster on a seat on the United Airlines flight after it landed in London on Friday.

In February, a bodyguard for former prime minister David Cameron was investigated for reportedly leaving his gun in a plane toilet.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54216511

mapuc

09-19-20, 03:07 PM

Have to be honest It's hard to keep up with all the information from both parties UK and EU and friends pro and anti EU...

So for me I wait until dec. 31 2020 one minute before midnight to see if an agreement has been reached and the day after to see if there has been a hard exit.

Markus

Jimbuna

09-22-20, 12:38 PM

https://i.postimg.cc/mg3DJMvF/jjjjjjj.jpg (https://postimg.cc/MnTqjcKW)

Jimbuna

09-23-20, 06:31 AM

https://i.postimg.cc/Ssm8dP4X/120017984-10222708334433203-2728348936441914611-n.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Jimbuna

09-25-20, 12:44 PM

Labour's Diane Abbott was asked to quit the shadow cabinet by Jeremy Corbyn's chief of staff after an interview blunder that hit the headlines.

The former shadow home secretary stumbled over the cost of Labour's pledge for 10,000 extra police officers ahead of the 2017 election.

Shortly after, she stepped back from the campaign due to illness.

Ms Abbott told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the adviser was "doing what she thought best" by asking her to go.

But she accused some in the media of behaving "as if I am an idiot".

The Labour MP returned to Mr Corbyn's cabinet in the weeks following the election, saying she had not been managing her type 2 diabetes well during the campaign.

But she stepped down from the frontbench ahead of the election of new Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.

Abbott 'misspoke on police figures'
'Abbott: I will rejoin the fray soon'
Abbott: 'I'm back to fighting fitness'
Ms Abbott, who is a close ally of Mr Corbyn, said her diabetes played a part in the headlining-grabbing blunder.

"I had done about seven interviews on the same subject and in every other interview I had got the figures right," she said.

"In this particular interview, I stumbled and I think it was partly to do with my diabetes as I hadn't actually eaten that morning [and] just gone straight into doing all these interviews.

"My brother said he heard me on the radio, and he is diabetic also, and he said to me, 'I have known you all my life… you never get figures wrong, and I knew straight away when I heard that interview it was your diabetes'."

But the MP confirmed that after the interview that Mr Corbyn's chief of staff Karie Murphy had asked her to resign.

"Karie was doing what she though best," said Ms Abbott.

"But as you saw, I stepped down only temporarily and I was Jeremy Corbyn's home secretary to the end."

She claimed she had been "singled out by the Conservative election machine" during the campaign, with "a lot of money spent vilifying me" on social media.

"But as I say, I was Jeremy's home secretary to the end and it was a privilege."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54277721

I think you've had a lot of time to make that one up Diane.

Jimbuna

09-25-20, 01:18 PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6pkPCz1f8E

Jimbuna

09-26-20, 11:03 AM

A song about a former Labour MP has been topping the Amazon download charts ahead of Lady Gaga, Kylie Minogue and Bruce Springsteen.
Dennis Skinner, the so-called Beast of Bolsover, lost the seat he had held since 1970, in December :haha:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow1gt0va6Jk

Jimbuna

09-27-20, 04:57 AM

Labour have moved ahead of the Conservative Party for the first time since Boris Johnson became prime minister, an opinion poll has indicated.
The survey by Opinium for The Observer newspaper gave Labour a three-point-lead over the Tories, with 42%, compared to 39%.

It suggested Labour was ahead for the first time since July 2019 - when Theresa May's time in office was nearing an end - and that there is more support for Opposition Leader Sir Keir Starmer than Mr Johnson.

The poll also found 55% of voters think Sir Keir is ready to lead the country and 40% believe Labour is equipped to form the next government.

It is the latest poll to suggest waning public confidence at Mr Johnson's - and the wider government's - handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

I can understand and agree with the lowering of public confidence regarding the handling of COVID-19 but I seriously doubt Labour are capable of doing any better.

Jimbuna

09-27-20, 06:13 AM

A post-Brexit trade deal "can and must be made", the organisation representing British businesses has said ahead of further UK-EU trade talks on Monday.

Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, the boss of the Confederation of British Industry, said it was the time for "the spirit of compromise to shine through".

The Brexit transition period, in which the UK has kept to EU trading rules, ends on 31 December.

The UK and EU are yet to agree a deal that will govern their future trade.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said a trade agreement with the EU must be done by 15 October if it is going to be ready for the start of 2021.

But despite this, talks have run into problems. There are still key points of disagreement - including, for example, on fishing.

The next official round of talks - the ninth since March - begins on 28 September. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54312985

Both sides will need to make major compromises and I believe the final outcome is too tight to call but hopefully a deal will be done.

Jimbuna

09-28-20, 06:34 AM

Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove is in Brussels at the start of a week of talks about the UK's future relationship with the European Union.

Mr Gove is meeting European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic to discuss implementation of the Brexit divorce deal.

And on Tuesday formal negotiations will resume as the two sides attempt to agree a post-Brexit trade deal.

Last week the UK said a lot of work remains before a deal can be reached.

An EU spokesman said their chief negotiator Michel Barnier was neither optimistic nor pessimistic but determined to reach a deal.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54318987

I sincerely hope and believe a deal can be reached.

Jimbuna

09-29-20, 05:05 AM

Michael Gove has said parts of a bill which override provisions in the Brexit deal agreed with the EU would remain, despite EU requests to remove them.

The Cabinet Office minister said he is "committed" to reaching a deal on the UK's future relationship with the EU.

He met the European Commission's Maros Sefcovic to discuss the UK's future relationship with the EU on Monday.

Mr Sefcovic said the UK's negotiating position is still "far apart from what the EU can accept".

Formal trade talks resume on Tuesday.

Mr Gove said the talks on implementing the withdrawal agreement are at a "healthy stage".

But both sides say there is still disagreement over the UK's plan to override parts of the withdrawal agreement relating to Northern Ireland in a bill currently going through the House of Commons.

Speaking after his meeting with Mr Gove, Vice President Mr Sefcovic said there was a "window of opportunity" to come to an agreement on the Northern Ireland protocol, but added that was "rapidly closing".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54318987

Jimbuna

09-30-20, 05:31 AM

It would appear the UK are now prepared to offer a major concession so now it is up to the EU to reciprocate yes?

Britain has offered a three-year transition period for European fishing fleets to allow them to prepare for the post-Brexit changes as part of an 11th-hour deal sweetener.

The catches of EU fishermen would be “phased down” between 2021 and 2024 to offer time for European coastal communities to adapt to the changes.

The lengthy transition period is contained in a new negotiating paper tabled ahead of the current round of negotiations in Brussels between the teams respectively led by the UK’s chief negotiator, David Frost, and his EU counterpart, Michel Barnier.

The idea of a phase-down period had been floated previously but details had not been provided until recent days.

“We have a long way to go but if the other problematic issues can be sorted, it doesn’t look like fisheries will stand in the way of an agreement”, said one senior EU diplomat.

On the other hand.

Britain's car industry risks losing out even if there is a post-Brexit trade deal with the EU, according to documents seen by the BBC.

Car parts from Japan and Turkey used in the UK will not be treated as British, so some exports may see higher tariffs.

In a letter, Britain's chief Brexit negotiator says the UK has failed so far to get the car parts deal it wants, and "obviously cannot insist on it".

Having enough parts sourced within the UK and EU is key to a free trade deal.

Catfish

09-30-20, 07:33 AM

Boris and the Fish. And Farage and the fish. And reality.
https://theconversation.com/fact-check-is-80-of-uk-fish-given-away-to-the-rest-of-europe-39966
Also look at the comments.
Or here: https://www.dw.com/en/uk-fishing-industry-or-brexits-red-herrings/a-51418061

So you have a new single trade deal with Japan. Another trade deal was and is in existence with the EU. Is your new single deal better than the one Japan has and had with the EU and all its members?

Immigration? Did you get the sovereignty back you never lost? Do you stop immigration now?

In this other thread about the policeman who has been shot - what has this to do with the EU or brexit as some wrote? So it was or is the EU's fault? Or the penalty, is it not serious enough? Did you change any rule because of being in the EU regarding prison, in the past? Are you changing laws and rules now?

Nothing convinced me by now that brexit has brought anything positive yet, but wait and see.

Jimbuna

09-30-20, 07:39 AM

Far too early to say but I can predict the Tories will be quick to ditch Boris if the house of cards and party public opinion starts to diminish.

skidman

09-30-20, 03:29 PM

mapuc

09-30-20, 04:01 PM

I wonder if my British friends have made any thoughts on what will happen if no agreement is made=hard brexit.

Do they think the life will turn to the good or bad if this should happen ?

Markus

Jimbuna

10-01-20, 05:38 AM

Agreed but too late. They should have stopped him before the damage was done:

https://www.dw.com/en/uk-lawmakers-approve-controversial-post-brexit-bill-despite-eu-ultimatum/a-55098694

The Peers will debate till early December. If the bill passes the House of Lords, the EU should stop negotiations immediately. There is no point trying to come to terms if one side doesn't play by the rules.

I'm quite embarrassed by it all :nope:

Wasn't a big fan of Theresa May but I certainly an't argue with her when she said "lead to untold damage to the UK's reputation and put its future at risk."

Jimbuna

10-01-20, 05:40 AM

I wonder if my British friends have made any thoughts on what will happen if no agreement is made=hard brexit.

Do they think the life will turn to the good or bad if this should happen ?

Markus

It will definitely prove to be bad for both sides.

Jimbuna

10-01-20, 05:48 AM

Just come across this (less than thirty minutes old).

The EU has begun legal proceedings against the UK after it refused to ditch plans to override sections of its Brexit divorce deal.

An EU deadline for the government to remove sections of the Internal Market Bill passed on Wednesday.

The "letter of formal notice" could eventually lead to a court case against the UK at the European Court of Justice, the EU's top court.

The UK said it would respond to the letter "in due course".

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the UK would have until the end of November to respond to the EU's concerns over the draft legislation.

However, the EU will continue talks over a post-Brexit trade deal in Brussels. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said both sides should "move on" if a deal was not reached by mid-October.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54370226

Another step backwards imho but we are at where we are at and Boris has once more proven that if you have a big enough parliamentary majority something Theresa May never had) you can pretty much do as you please.

Jimbuna

10-02-20, 06:38 AM

Boris Johnson will speak to the president of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday to "take stock" of post-Brexit trade negotiations and "discuss next steps".

The UK and the EU have been holding their final formal rounds of trade talks in Brussels this week.

And chief negotiators Lord David Frost and Michel Barnier met earlier.

Both sides have said a deal needs to be agreed this month to take over from the transition period at the start of 2021.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54384437

Jimbuna

10-02-20, 06:45 AM

Scotland's first minister has urged Margaret Ferrier to resign as an MP after she travelled from Glasgow to London with Covid-19 symptoms, then returned home after testing positive.

Nicola Sturgeon, who is also the SNP leader, said she had "made clear her view" to Ms Ferrier that she should "do the right thing" and step down.

Ms Ferrier has been suspended by the SNP, but cannot be sacked as an MP.

She has apologised and said she "deeply regretted" her actions.

In a tweet sent on Friday morning, Ms Sturgeon said Ms Ferrier was a "friend and colleague" and she had asked her to step down "with a heavy heart".

She added: "Her actions were dangerous and indefensible. I have no power to force an MP to resign but I hope she will do the right thing."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-54383281

Whilst I agree with Sturgeon on this, Dominic Cummings didn't lose his job for acting similarly.

Skybird

10-02-20, 06:49 AM

As far as the legal side of things goes, the UK must not worry about the EU calling the courts now. The EU can go as farh as to the EU High Court only and with the UK having brexitted, that court has nothing to tell the UK anymore.

But others take note of the UK not honouring its legal obligations. I am convinced for exmaple that the Japanese would not have signed their deal with the UK, if Johnson's stunt would have been staged before they signed it. These things matter much to Japanese, the formal correctness. Other potential trade deal partners will also think twice about what a piece of paper signed by the UK can mean in relevance and trustworthiness.

And a trade deal with the US is in doubts. Which maybe is better for the UK, since the US will pull it over the table.

Jimbuna

10-02-20, 10:53 AM

Looking at the current time frames we should all know much better pretty soon.

Jimbuna

10-03-20, 07:25 AM

Prime Minister Boris Johnson says there is a "good deal to be done" on a post-Brexit trade agreement, ahead of a video call with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Negotiations broke up without agreement and both sides are calling on the other to compromise on key issues, including fishing and government subsidies.

Mr Johnson said he wants a deal like one struck between the EU and Canada.

He added the relationship the bloc has with Australia "would work well" too.

"We're resolved on either course, we're prepared for either course and we'll make it work but it's very much up to our friends and partners," Mr Johnson said.

It comes after Mrs von der Leyen called for talks to "intensify", as both sides set an October deadline to settle their differences.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54397942

Jimbuna

10-03-20, 11:36 AM

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have "agreed the importance" of finding a post-Brexit trade deal, Downing Street has said.

They agreed progress has been made in talks between the EU and UK but "significant gaps" remain, No 10 said.

Both have instructed their chief negotiators to "work intensively" in order to try to bridge those gaps.

Negotiations between the UK and EU broke up without agreement.

Both sides are calling on the other to compromise on key issues, including fishing and government subsidies.

Mr Johnson and Mrs von der Leyen spoke during a phone call on Saturday and agreed to speak on a regular basis.

A Downing Street spokesperson said the two had agreed on the importance of finding an agreement "as a strong basis for a strategic EU-UK relationship in future."

The UK's chief negotiator, Lord Frost, tweeted that work to resolve differences between the UK and EU "begins as soon as we can next week".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54397942

So, in real terms, no substantive progress has been made yet.

Jimbuna

10-05-20, 03:32 AM

Jobseekers will be offered coaching and advice on moving into "growing sectors" as part of a £238m employment programme, the government has said.

Job Entry Targeted Support is aimed at helping those out of work because of Covid-19 for three months.

Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey said it would give people "the helping hand they need".

But Labour said the scheme "offers very little new support" and it was "too little too late".
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54412574

Far too inadequate, a mere drop in the ocean.

Moonlight

10-06-20, 06:11 AM

Four suspected illegal immigrants have been detained at Dover, after being found stowed away in the back of a lorry.
It seems as if the authorities are getting their act together, that’s the good news over with and now for the bad news.
The four men weren’t arriving at Dover, they were attempting to leave the country. You couldn’t make this crap up. Priti Patel should rename herself pretty pathetic :o

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-8808255/RICHARD-LITTLEJOHN-paddle-Channel-time-like-never-leave.html

Jimbuna

10-06-20, 06:54 AM

The question on a great many peoples lips here in the UK atm...

Will Margaret Ferrier remain an MP after breaking COVID rules?

Nicola Sturgeon repeated her call for Ms Ferrier to quit - and in an unfortunate slip of the tongue referred to her as "Margaret Covid".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-54424360

Jimbuna

10-06-20, 01:13 PM

https://i.postimg.cc/L4CZ6SjT/Untitled11.jpg (https://postimg.cc/XX5vQTHG)
https://i.postimg.cc/RVWJWYRz/Untitled12.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Jimbuna

10-07-20, 07:58 AM

Boris Johnson defended the government's response to local lockdowns and virus infections on university campuses.

Sir Keir Starmer pressed the PM to publish the science behind the decision to enforce a 10pm curfew on pubs and restaurants.

In Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon is expected to announce further restrictions aimed a slowing coronavirus infections.

UK's Chief Brexit negotiator Lord Frost and cabinet minister Michael Gove will appear in front of a select committee later.

MPs will hold a retrospective vote later to approve lockdown restrictions which were introduced in some parts of England last week.

Unite General Secretary Len McCluskey has told the BBC the union will cut its funding to the Labour party by 10%

Council leaders have warned the government that plans to relax planning rules could lead to fewer new affordable homes being built.

Jimbuna

10-08-20, 05:05 AM

European Council President Charles Michel has said it is "time for the UK to put its cards on the table" over a post-Brexit trade deal.

He tweeted the comment after a call with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier on Wednesday.

Formal talks between the two sides ended last week, but officials are still trying to come to an agreement.

No 10 said, during the call, the PM had "reiterated that any deal must reflect what the British people voted for".

Mr Johnson also said that "businesses and citizens needed certainty very soon on the terms of our future relationship".

Earlier, Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove said the negotiations gave him "cause for steady optimism".

But the UK's chief negotiator, Lord David Frost, said "big gaps" remained between the teams - namely on government subsidies for businesses and fishing rules - with fishing "the most difficult issue" left.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54452619

Jimbuna

10-09-20, 05:40 AM

Michel Barnier has arrived in London for the latest round of talks on the UK's post-Brexit trading relationship with the EU.

The EU's chief negotiator will sit down with UK counterpart Lord Frost, with less than a week to go until the UK's deadline for agreeing a trade deal.

It comes after European Council President Charles Michel said the sides were approaching "the moment of truth".

The main sticking points are fishing rights and state help for businesses.

The UK's post-Brexit transition period, during which its trading relationship with the EU has remained the same, is due to end in December.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the two sides should "move on" if nothing is agreed before the EU summit starting next Thursday.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54464086

They are cutting it fine now :hmmm:

Jimbuna

10-10-20, 04:40 AM

Conservative MPs in northern England seats are launching a campaign to ensure Boris Johnson sticks to his promise to boost their regions.

The PM has made "levelling up" - spreading money and power around the country - one of his key priorities.

But the 35-strong Tory group say they want to ensure the government delivers.

It includes several MPs who won seats in traditional Labour heartlands - the so-called "Red Wall" - at last year's general election.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54484053

I suspect Boris may have already lost the short-lived support of the North.

Jimbuna

10-10-20, 04:44 AM

MPs could get £3,000 pay rise under new proposals.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54481234

Absolutely absurd in the current climate of massive job losses across the country.

Jimbuna

10-11-20, 06:11 AM

Margaret Ferrier is still hanging on.............. it's now claimed she also went to a Church mass while infected...... and the Virus affects the way you think.......

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-54496759

How does the Government expect anybody to follow the rules if people like her, Cummings, Corbyn, Ferguson don't ?

Jimbuna

10-11-20, 06:11 AM

Catfish

10-12-20, 02:46 AM

"English villages wake up to find they're Brexit's new border"

Some concrete plans https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/english-villages-wake-up-to-find-theyre-brexits-new-border/ar-BB19VWGs

Article From AP

Jimbuna

10-12-20, 03:21 AM

Reality Check
Brexit trade deal: What are the sticking points?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/52937766

Jimbuna

10-13-20, 04:49 AM

Brexit trade deal: What do the UK and EU want?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/51357589

Jimbuna

10-14-20, 06:21 AM

Boris Johnson will delay a decision on whether to quit the Brexit trade negotiations until after the European Council summit ends on Friday, after it became clear his no-deal deadline will be missed tomorrow.

The Prime Minister set an October 15 deadline for the trade agreement to be “in sight” by the EU summit, which starts on Thursday afternoon.

David Frost, the UK’s chief negotiator, will brief Mr Johnson today before the Prime Minister speaks to Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president.

Lord Frost will tell the Prime Minister that he thinks a deal can still be done, but warn that trade negotiations must be stepped up and further intensified if the agreement is to be clinched.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/brexit/brexit-talks-to-continue-past-no-deal-deadline-with-pm-to-be-told-agreement-can-still-be-reached/ar-BB1a0Rb3?li=BBoPWjQ&ocid=mailsignout

I'm a little surprised Boris has given some ground but I do think this is the sensible thing to do.

I also think this is Boris way to show everyone he is acting as reasonably as he can.

Catfish

10-14-20, 03:08 PM

All are and will be screwed

https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=de&sl=de&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.welt.de%2Fpolitik%2Fausland%2F article217638618%2FBrexit-Ein-No-Deal-wuerde-den-Jungs-hier-das-Genick-brechen.html

mapuc

10-14-20, 03:25 PM

I saw since several weeks, an episode of Brexit, Boris and the Brits on our news channel.

I learned something new and why I dislike EU.

A majority of the agreements have been reached-the only deadlock in the ongoing Brexit discussion is Other EU members right to fishing in the English territorial waters.

In the Studio an expert on EU said

UK is also negotiating the right over their own territorial waters

This statement made me wonder- how much does the EU decides over its member states, when a country like UK who has left EU and are now negotiating the right to use their own territorial waters.

I truly hope I misunderstod this woman-the EU expert

Markus

Catfish

10-14-20, 03:37 PM

Will not try to change your opinion, no chance.

mapuc

10-14-20, 03:43 PM

Sorry Catfish, I did not read your link. I have now or part of it.

The same problems goes here in Denmark. 42 % of all the fish that is being caught by the fishermen is done in the UK's territorial waters.

So a hard brexit will knock the feet of many Danish Fishermen.

My standpoints towards EU is NOT based on what my friends write or not-it's based on what I hear in the MSM news coverage.

Edit
It's not so much the EU I dislike, it's more the Danish and the Swedish politicians who, in their worshipping of EU have gladly given away these two countries sovereignty to EU, step by step.
End edit

Markus

Catfish

10-15-20, 02:44 AM

[...] Edit
It's not so much the EU I dislike, it's more the Danish and the Swedish politicians who, in their worshipping of EU have gladly given away these two countries sovereignty to EU, step by step.
End edit Markus

"Joining pretty much any international organisation involves losing some aspect of sovereignty", said Robin Nibelett, an expert in international law and the director of Chatham House.

He added: "The USA is a member of the World Trade Organisation and is therefore subject to its rulings on trade disputes.

"So even the US, this great sovereign nation has worked out that on trade it is worth sacrificing a bit of its sovereignty."

In fact, signing any international treaty involves a loss of sovereignty.

British legislation is subordinate or subjected to the requirements of the World Health Organisation; the International Monetary Fund; the WTO; the United Nations; the International Criminal Court, and the European Court of Human Rights."

The latter seems to a real bad thing for some. But NOT in my book.
The latter, by the way, is often criticised by Leavers who believe it allows terrorists and other baddies an easy run but don't seem to understand that it was
A: a British idea and creation, and
B: had nothing to do with the EU.

Just saying. They never gave away sovereignty or control other than to trade and agreements both/all sides signed. Same for Denmark.

Jimbuna

10-15-20, 04:09 AM

Catfish

10-16-20, 11:34 AM

This is really hard to watch. Boris Johnson's three-fold cadence:

1. Pretending to do something positive and negotiate while he and his cronies wanted a hard brexit all along.
2. Let negotiations fail with the excuse of a some peanuts and blame others for the upcoming crisis.
3. Portray himself as the great statesman who is at he helm and solves the crisis.

1 and 2 accomplished, now ... :doh:

Jimbuna

10-16-20, 11:37 AM

Talks between the UK and EU over a post-Brexit trade agreement are "over", Downing Street has said.

No 10 said there was "no point" in discussions continuing next week unless the EU was prepared to discuss the detailed legal text of a partnership.

Earlier, Boris Johnson said the UK had to "get ready" to trade with the EU next year without an agreement.

The EU has said it is willing to "intensify" discussions but it will not do a deal "at any price".

The UK set a deadline of Thursday to decide whether it was worth continuing talks amid disagreements in key areas.

The EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier due in London next week for further discussions but Downing Street suggested his trip would be pointless unless the EU shifted its position.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54566897

This could well be GAME OVER :hmmm:

skidman

10-16-20, 12:20 PM

Agreed. Recent statements from the summit in Brussels suggest there is hardly any room to negotiate left.

Jimbuna

10-16-20, 12:26 PM

Yes, both sides appear to be firmly entrenched so it's probably better if they both moved on.

Catfish

10-17-20, 01:53 PM

https://i.imgur.com/13ZEV15l.jpg

mapuc

10-17-20, 02:14 PM

You may disagree when I write:

Both side is very stubborn in their acting.

It could be that an agreement will be reached 1 sec before deadline-who knows.

Markus

Catfish

10-17-20, 02:35 PM

"Both"? There are 27 other nations in the EU, apart from England.

Skybird

10-17-20, 06:33 PM

^ Oh, then you miss the hottest show that Subsim.com has to offer. :D

Jimbuna

10-18-20, 05:24 AM

The door is "still ajar" for talks with the EU over a post-Brexit trade deal but only if it moves ground in key areas, Michael Gove has said.

Negotiations between the UK and the EU have stalled amid disagreements over fishing access and competition issues.

The cabinet minister told the BBC that the EU must speed up the negotiating process and offer the UK better terms.

The EU has said it is prepared to "intensify" talks but it would not agree a deal at "any price". https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54589655

It's ain't over till the fat lady sings....apparently.

Jimbuna

10-20-20, 04:43 AM

Have EU-UK trade talks reached a dead end?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54609383

A fairly well written and unbiased article which leaves the individual to reach their own conclusion.

Jimbuna

10-20-20, 05:10 AM

The EU has said it is willing to "intensify" talks on a trade deal with the UK this week to try to break the impasse between the two sides.

Its negotiator Michel Barnier said the bloc was prepared to discuss all areas of disagreement, including fishing and competition, based on legal texts.

Michael Gove said he welcomed the bloc's latest "constructive" step.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54603995

I'm still hanging onto that thin strand of hope.

Skybird

10-20-20, 10:26 AM

British House of Lords votes against single market law by a large majority 395:169. However, they can only delay it, not prevent it.

https://www.nzz.ch/international/brexit-verhandlungen-der-eu-mit-grossbritannien-ld.1579522

Jimbuna

10-20-20, 10:59 AM

The House of Lords have long been a pointless expensive luxury we could and should do without.

skidman

10-20-20, 01:41 PM

^Hm. But maybe they can at least bring the HoC and the PM to terms. The new Brexit bill has to be stopped.

I've given up on hoping for a trade agreement, we will soon see the ugly side of Brexit: Nobody will benefit, both sides will suffer. Stupid ideas give birth to malformed babies.

Jimbuna

10-21-20, 05:32 AM

Not so quick, there may yet be a light at the end of the tunnel.

A Brexit trade deal is “within reach”, Michel Barnier said before offering to meet all of the UK’s conditions to reboot negotiations with Brussels.

The chief negotiator said that both the UK and EU would have to compromise to get the agreement done in a conciliatory speech to the European Parliament in the Belgian capital.

Mr Barnier said, “We want a deal that will be mutually beneficial to both parties in respect of the autonomy and sovereignty of both sides. A deal reflecting a balanced compromise."

He added, “Despite the difficulties we've faced an agreement is within reach. If both sides are willing to work constructively, if both sides are willing to compromise.”

The speech was intended to satisfy a British demand that Brussels makes clear it will compromise, as well as the UK, to get a deal before negotiations resume. https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/brexit/brexit-trade-deal-is-within-reach-says-michel-barnier/ar-BB1aflkV?li=BBoPWjQ&ocid=mailsignout

Skybird

10-21-20, 06:14 AM

Words, words, words. You still give something for them? I don't. The actors had interests and agendas form beginning on, and they have not changed. It gets decided by who is stronger, and the UK sits at the longer, stronger lever, after all. It will get it according to Johnson's will - no deal, that is (I'm saying this since a very long time - and there is nothign the EU can do about that. All the time Johnson was only about not havign too many fingers pointign at him when the no-deal becomes reality. Minimising the blame for "no deal" - that is what he always wanted. Not: "getting a deal", that was never his agenda since that referendum's outcome.

Sovereignty necessarily must mean, with the EU raising so many non-trade demands to a trade agreement: no deal.

A clear cut, I was all for it before Corona, I do not like foul compromises. But the pandemic has messed up all expectations and estimations and calculations. Now I do not know anymore.

Jimbuna

10-21-20, 06:18 AM

That's your take on it and I respect that but I will remain ever the optimist until the lights are switched off.

It is still in both sides best interest to come to a deal.

Jimbuna

10-22-20, 06:20 AM

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier will arrive in London later today to resume talks over a post-Brexit trade agreement, after a week-long standoff.

The Frenchman will meet his UK counterpart Lord David Frost, after the pair agreed to restart face-to-face talks during a phone call on Wednesday.

Officials from both sides will hold "intensified" daily talks in the run up to December's deadline for a deal.

No 10 warned that "significant gaps" remain in the most difficult areas.

Negotiations stalled last week after a summit in Brussels where EU leaders called on the UK to "make the necessary moves" towards a deal.

But the UK side agreed to resume talks after Mr Barnier said "compromises on both sides" were needed, in a speech on Wednesday.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54642907

Fingers, toes, eyes and everything else crossed.

Here's hoping.

Jimbuna

10-23-20, 01:32 PM

Talks over a post-Brexit trade deal have resumed in London, after negotiators returned to the table following a week-long standoff.

International Trade Secretary Liz Truss insisted a deal can still be done with the EU, as officials began a new round of "intensified" daily talks.

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier has warned that "every day counts" ahead of a looming December deadline.

He said both sides share a "huge common responsibility" as talks restarted.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54642907

Britain and Japan have formally signed a trade agreement, marking the UK's first big post-Brexit deal.

The deal, unveiled last month, means nearly all its exports to Japan will be tariff free while removing British tariffs on Japanese cars by 2026.

UK International Trade Secretary Liz Truss called it a "ground-breaking, British-shaped deal".

But critics have said it will boost UK GDP by only 0.07%, a fraction of the trade that could be lost with the EU.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54654814

skidman

10-23-20, 03:09 PM

The deal, unveiled last month, means nearly all its exports to Japan will be tariff free while removing British tariffs on Japanese cars by 2026.

I'm not exactly sure how this will pan out, but with Honda having already announced they will close down Swindon, Nissan (Sunderland) and Toyota (Burnaston) might mimic that pattern if they can import tariff free.

Of course the Nippon-UK deal puts pressure on European manufacturers producing in the UK (Opel/Vauxhall/PSA, BMW and VW), but actually the UK is between a rock and a hard place here. It makes no difference if the EU can import cars tariff free like the Japanese. No tariffs = close down plants and build them cars cheaper somewhere else. Tariffs = close down plants and accept less cars are sold in the UK, because the UK market share is neglectable. Either way it's Good Bye to the jobs in Luton, Ellesmere Port, Oxford, Goodwood and Crewe.

A Bentley produced in Slovakia? A Rolls-Royce build in Portugal? A Mini from China? Sounds horrible to a Motorman's ears, I know. Well, stupid ideas give birth to malformed babies.

Jimbuna

10-24-20, 06:10 AM

This if true surprises me.

EMMANUEL MACRON is on the verge of caving in over fishing and other key demands, insiders have suggested - paving the way for a post-Brexit trade deal. https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1351722/brexit-news-macron-fishing-state-aid-boris-johnson-eu-trade-deal-barnier-news-today

Jimbuna

10-25-20, 08:26 AM

The chief negotiators for the UK and EU will continue post-Brexit trade talks in London until Wednesday, says No 10.

Michel Barnier arrived in the UK on Thursday to restart negotiations with Lord David Frost after they stalled last week - but he was due to return home on Sunday.

EU sources told the BBC more talks are also planned in Brussels from Thursday.

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis said the extended talks were "a very good sign" a deal can be done.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54681400

Jimbuna

10-27-20, 04:45 AM

Police are investigating a road collision involving Sir Keir Starmer, which saw a cyclist taken to hospital.

The Labour leader is understood to have been driving in the Kentish Town area of north London when the incident happened around midday on Sunday.

A spokesman for Sir Keir said he stayed at the scene until an ambulance arrived and reported the incident at a police station later that day.

The Met Police said the driver was not arrested nor interviewed under caution.

They added that the male cyclist suffered a minor injury to his arm and was taken to hospital by ambulance "as a precaution".

Sir Keir, a former director of public prosecutions, is not believed to have been injured. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54701336

Good to know he carried out the correct procedure.

Jimbuna

10-28-20, 07:21 AM

https://i.postimg.cc/FFngfBjc/122750797-448529049442974-2209468681446798447-n.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

Jimbuna

10-29-20, 05:19 AM

Anti-Semitism report: Labour broke equalities law

A report into allegations of anti-Semitism in Labour found the party was "responsible for unlawful acts of harassment and discrimination".

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) said it "identified serious failings" in the party's leadership in addressing anti-Semitism.

It also said the party had "inadequate processes" for handling complaints.

The watchdog gave the party an unlawful act notice, meaning it has to publish an action plan within six weeks.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54730425

Not surprised in the slightest :nope:

Skybird

10-29-20, 08:46 AM

The political left and so-called "progressives" are the strongest allies of Islamisation in Europe.

Until Islam does not need them anymore. Then they end like the communist Tudeh in Iran after Khomenei did not need them anymore.

Idiots.

Or suicidal idiots, I should say. This Sauron does not accept a coexisting equal by his side. Never did.

Oh wait, there is no Islamisation happening inEurope, sorry, I sometimes forget that, I was led on a wrong track.

Jimbuna

10-29-20, 10:23 AM

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has suspended Jeremy Corbyn from the party over his reaction to a highly critical report on anti-Semitism.

The human rights watchdog found Labour responsible for "unlawful" harassment and discrimination during Mr Corbyn's years in charge of the party.

But Mr Corbyn later said the scale of anti-Semitism within Labour had been "dramatically overstated" by opponents.

Labour said he was being suspended "for a failure to retract" his words.

Mr Corbyn reacted by calling the move "political" and promised to "strongly contest" it.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54730425

You reap what you sow.

Jimbuna

10-30-20, 06:14 AM

Sir Keir Starmer has defended Labour's decision to suspend Jeremy Corbyn from the party after the former leader's reaction to a report on anti-Semitism.

The UK's human rights watchdog says Labour broke the law by failing to stamp out anti-Jewish racism in its ranks when Mr Corbyn was leader.

Mr Corbyn said the scale of Labour anti-Semitism had been "dramatically overstated" by his opponents.

This comment prompted Labour to suspend Mr Corbyn from the party.

The unprecedented move was defended by Sir Keir - who took over as leader from Mr Corbyn six months ago - as the "right" thing to do.

He also said there was no reason for the party to descend into "civil war" over it.

General secretary of the Unite union, Len McCluskey, called it "an act of grave injustice which, if not reversed, will create chaos within the party and in doing so compromise Labour's chances of a general election victory".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54742096

I think 'civil war' is a safe bet now.

mapuc

10-30-20, 12:07 PM

Civil war in the Labour party

What will it end with ? Will the party survive as one or will it be shattered into smaller parties ?

Markus

Jimbuna

10-30-20, 01:28 PM

I think it will survive because there has always been a hard left element within it. The current problem being they have never been stronger under Steptoe, hence the turmoil we now see erupting.

Jimbuna

10-31-20, 04:34 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVaCkxO4GKY

Jimbuna

11-01-20, 05:47 AM

Might be me but why has it gone all quiet regarding the Brexit negotiations? :hmmm:

Catfish

11-01-20, 07:15 AM

Solution (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-germany?utm_campaign=transition_p1&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=seg&utm_content=eut_gerukns_act0) :D

Jimbuna

11-01-20, 07:31 AM

Far too complicated....much easier if we simply invade and occupy :):03:

Jimbuna

11-01-20, 07:38 AM

Keir Starmer was struggling last night to contain an escalating row over Jeremy Corbyn’s suspension from the party following last week’s bombshell report on Labour’s handling of antisemitism in the party.

A union leader has accused Starmer of using the issue to pursue a “civil war” within the party, and joined with six other union bosses in issuing a joint statement describing the suspension of Corbyn as “unjust”.

The unions’ intervention came as antisemitism campaigners seized on Corbyn’s suspension to warn that the party remains “unsafe” for Jewish members until it thoroughly investigates 15 other MPs about whom they have lodged detailed complaints, including deputy leader Angela Rayner.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/union-leader-says-keir-starmer-pushing-labour-into-civil-war-over-corbyn-suspension/ar-BB1aAg9J?li=BBoPWjQ&ocid=mailsignout

It would appear the unions are closing ranks and uniting in a power struggle within the party.

Some things never change.

Catfish

11-02-20, 05:38 AM

Far too complicated....much easier if we simply invade and occupy :):03:
:haha:

Catfish

11-02-20, 05:39 AM

Oh look, the jack-in-the-box is back.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-britain-farage/uks-farage-tries-to-harness-covid-lockdown-anger-to-take-on-pm-johnson-idUSKBN27H1TW

"What will he think of next?"

Jimbuna

11-02-20, 06:27 AM

Catfish

11-02-20, 07:00 AM

^ he just spoke at a Trump rallye in Arizona, calling Trump the bravest man he ever met, and the latter called him "King of Europe".
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/election-us-2020-54727921
Does that have an impact on his popularity in England?

Jimbuna

11-02-20, 07:03 AM

It is well known here in the UK that he is a friend of Trumps but what effect if any it would have on his popularity would probably depend on each individual being a Trump supporter or otherwise I should imagine.

Catfish

11-03-20, 10:28 AM

So Johnson lets elapse a deadline with the EU once more. Seems he wants to wait for the outcome of the US election, whatever he expects from that. "The European Commission confirmed on Tuesday that the deadline to respond to the letter has now come and gone without a UK response, meaning the court action against the UK will move to the next phase. Ministers have already admitted in parliament that the bill will break international law, but say the policy is justified because the law would only be broken in a “limited and specific” way." https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-boris-johnson-international-law-deadline-breach-b1557305.html

Jimbuna

11-03-20, 11:14 AM

This can often be the consequence of a government with such a large Parliamentary majority and an opposition that is so weak.

I'm not convinced Boris even wants an agreement at all.

mapuc

11-03-20, 03:39 PM

Jimbuna

11-04-20, 05:46 AM

Regarding my last post about the Labour party.

It's more their supporters how will they see this..ongoing civil war in the party ?

Here in Denmark they get a smack on their fingers. Lately a liberal leftwing party had to get a new leader due to internal struggle in the party..a week later the polls showed more than 50 % had left this party.

Back to UK and Labour party...if I remember correctly they got a real good smack on their fingers at your latest election.

Haven't they learned anything ??

Markus

The Labour party are only successful when they have a leader who is able to unite the left and right wing factions. Tony Blair probably being the last one who achieved that.

I personally enjoyed my membership during that period but resigned the day after Corbyn and his loony left gained power.

Jimbuna

11-05-20, 06:51 AM

Jimbuna

11-06-20, 10:37 AM

UK trade with the EU faces "significant disruption" when the Brexit transition period ends in January, a government spending watchdog has said.

The National Audit Office (NAO) said it was "very unlikely" traders would be ready for checks the EU is due to impose at its borders.

It also warned "limited" time remained for UK ports to test new IT systems.

The government said "significant" efforts had been made to avoid disruption to businesses.

The UK formally left the EU earlier this year but is following EU trading rules until the end of December.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54829094

I believe what we will witness will be a right royal mess.

Jimbuna

11-07-20, 07:51 AM

Boris Johnson has said he believes there is "a deal to be done" on post-Brexit trade with the EU.

But while the UK prime minister "very much hopes" to come to an agreement, he said the country was "very well prepared" to move on without one.

Mr Johnson made the comments ahead of a call with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday.

The National Audit Office has warned of "significant disruption" when the Brexit transition period ends.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54840747

Catfish

11-07-20, 02:45 PM

Mrs. von der Leyen is said to have had a personal phone call with Boris Johnson this weekend, more about the possibility of general solutions, since "...Mr. Johnson has not shown much knowledge about trade details or future relations."
Good he has experts like Cummings.

skidman

11-08-20, 06:36 AM

But while the UK prime minister "very much hopes" to come to an agreement, he said the country was "very well prepared" to move on without one.

Time to make some more space to stack up indispensable goods in the Buna Family's garage. :yep:

Jimbuna

11-08-20, 07:41 AM

Jimbuna

11-08-20, 07:42 AM

Time to make some more space to stack up indispensable goods in the Buna Family's garage. :yep:

Current stock levels are sufficient till the new year :03:

Rockstar

11-08-20, 08:07 PM

The UK and EU have said serious differences remain over a post-Brexit trade deal, as the latest talks came to an end in Brussels.

UK negotiator Lord David Frost said "wide divergences" remained in some areas, despite progress being made.

His EU counterpart, Michel Barnier, said there were "serious divergences" over fishing and competition rules.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54817881

I found this article awhile back when I was looking at the history of superpowers and the Thucydides Trap. You mention the UK as having serious issues with the EU. Looking at line 16 it apoears your not alone. Lets be realustic here the EU is Germany and Germany is the EU. Apparently there is economic friction between the three big gorillas on the block. Likely why Merkelreich says nothing and looks the otherway as their old friend and axis ally Turkey calls for violence in France and Ursula sings bomben auf england because Johnson misses a dealine.

Dont trust those Germans they tried once with arms. Today they are attempting to rule Europe by bullying their former victims economically.

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/09/united-states-china-war-thucydides-trap/406756/

Catfish

11-09-20, 04:00 AM

re BBC link: The 'obstacles' remaining to form a 'deal' seem to be the same as they ever were, or at least like they were right at the beginning of this mess. Clearly the english Trump does "not have much interest in a deal", while others say that has been his plan all along.
Deadlines declared by England or the EU again and again have long been exceeded.
So one can say that basically nothing has been thought out, and no real negotiation has taken place.
(The fish being cought in english waters is growing up elsewhere in EU waters, so we can just put an immigration wall in the North sea and .. wait .. :D)

^re Rockstar this is an interesting article, though i do not quite see what the EU or Germany has to do with it. So some nations are afraid if they are challenged by upcoming other nations due to competition; while i see that fear and challenge can lead to a war i cannot see the EU doing this anytime soon, if ever, or the US declaring war to the EU. China and Russia, well. But there is not much to be decided by the EU, let alone Germany. Maybe if we get a Trump as chancellor ... :03:

B.t.w. while it is quite clear what happened in WW2 i would not blame WW1 alone on Germany even if this of course is a convenient view for some.

Skybird

11-09-20, 04:06 AM

Jimbuna

11-09-20, 08:57 AM

Jimbuna

11-09-20, 09:01 AM

EU and UK officials have resumed trade talks in London at the start of another key week for the negotiations.

They are trying to bridge what the two sides have said are still significant differences on fishing quotas and competition issues.

Boris Johnson said on Sunday that the "outlines" of an agreement were clear and a deal was "there to be done".

But he has insisted the UK is prepared to leave the single market and customs union on 31 December without agreement.

The EU's chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier and his UK counterpart Lord Frost are in a race against the clock to conclude a future economic partnership in time for it to come into force when the post-Brexit transition period ends on 31 December.

The UK left the EU on 31 January but continues to follow the bloc's rules until the end of the year.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54862747

I sincerely hope both sides are being open and transparent with one another and not simply running the clock down.

Jimbuna

11-09-20, 09:10 AM

https://i.postimg.cc/0QGnB9LK/Untitled11.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

MGR1

11-09-20, 01:13 PM

I found this article awhile back when I was looking at the history of superpowers and the Thucydides Trap. You mention the UK as having serious issues with the EU. Looking at line 16 it apoears your not alone. Lets be realustic here the EU is Germany and Germany is the EU. Apparently there is economic friction between the three big gorillas on the block. Likely why Merkelreich says nothing and looks the otherway as their old friend and axis ally Turkey calls for violence in France and Ursula sings bomben auf england because Johnson misses a dealine.

Dont trust those Germans they tried once with arms. Today they are attempting to rule Europe by bullying their former victims economically.

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/09/united-states-china-war-thucydides-trap/406756/

With regard to your context I would simply say Germany is the heavyweight in the EU economically but very much the lightweight in military terms. France moved well ahead in that position, even more so when the UK left the EU.

I give you the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_on_the_Final_Settlement_with_Respect_to_Ger many).

Germany undertook to reduce its armed forces (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armed_forces) to no more than 370,000 personnel, no more than 345,000 of whom were to be in the Army (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Army) and the Air Force (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_Air_Force). These limits would commence at the time that the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_on_Conventional_Armed_Forces_in_Europe) would enter into force, and the treaty also took note that it was expected that the other participants in the negotiations would "render their contribution to enhancing security and stability in Europe, including measures to limit personnel strengths". Germany also reaffirmed its renunciation of the manufacture, possession of, and control over nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, and in particular, that the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_Non-Proliferation_Treaty) would continue to apply in full to the unified Germany (the Federal Republic of Germany). No foreign armed forces, nuclear weapons, or the carriers for nuclear weapons would be stationed or deployed in six states (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_states_of_Germany) (the area of Berlin and the former East Germany), making them a permanent Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear-Weapon-Free_Zone). The German Army could deploy conventional weapons systems with nonconventional capabilities, provided that they were equipped and designed for a purely conventional role. Germany also agreed to use military force only in accordance with the United Nations Charter (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Charter).Personally when it comes to military matters I prefer the current Germany with all it's faults rather than one still dedicated to "Blood and Iron".

Mike.

Rockstar

11-09-20, 08:02 PM

Why is France contending with religious violence again after very public calls by Erdogan to boycott and incite violence. And Merkels was to quietly preach to Germans about the evils of hate speech? Either the German government is too stupid to recognise the problems or the German government is in on it.

Seems the U.K. got the hell out while the getton' was good.

Catfish

11-10-20, 04:43 AM

The "EU" consists of 27 nations, each one with its own politics, interests and sympathies, or hate. Can you imagine 27 USAs to bring together and speak with one voice?
The right wing in Romania, Hungary and Poland is of course pro-Erdoghan, as probaly is the german AfD.

But Erdoghan will probably have not a good stand after Trump is gone, and with any successor of Merkel. Erdoghan is blackmailing all the time, if you do not !"§$.. we will open the borders and let the refugess flood in. Merkel is too lenient.
As i said before, if this goes on the EU can award itself the Chamberlain appeasement award.

Regarding the UK leaving we will see, some say that up to now it has been quite impressive, but no one here buys that after the last four-years' political grandstand show, economical development and Corona.

Jimbuna

11-10-20, 09:17 AM

The government has suffered a heavy defeat in the House of Lords over its controversial Brexit legislation.

The Internal Market Bill contains measures that overrule parts of the UK's Brexit agreement with the EU.

Peers voted overwhelmingly to remove a section of the bill that would allow ministers to break international law - by 433 votes to 165.

The government said it would reinstate the clauses when the bill returns to the House of Commons next month.

It comes as trade talks continue between EU and UK officials in London as they try to reach an agreement over a future economic partnership.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54882088

Jimbuna

11-11-20, 09:27 AM

A Brexit deal is "unlikely this week" and trade talks are "likely to move into next week", according to Ireland's foreign minister.

Simon Coveney said he was hopeful he would be "proven wrong" but played down the prospects of a breakthrough in the next few days.

EU chief negotiator Michel Barnier is in London this week to continue negotiations on a future UK-EU relationship with his UK counterpart Lord Frost.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/brexit/brexit-deal-unlikely-this-week-and-talks-will-drag-on-says-irish-foreign-minister/ar-BB1aUEZO?li=BBoPWjQ&ocid=mailsignout

Catfish

11-11-20, 05:13 PM

mapuc

11-11-20, 05:30 PM

^ people in our countries like Germany, France, Denmark, Sweden and other members of EU can every 4 or 5th year say in an election who they want to be their Prime minister.

These Prime minister chose who shall be the leader of EU. This mean European voters has indirectly chosen this EU-leader.

Why not do as in USA, let the voters in the European country directly vote for who shall lead EU for a period of 4 or 5 years.

Shall we have same type of system - Winner takes all ?
Shall we have same type of electoral system where each country has a given number of electoral ?

And so on.

(Sorry I know this is the UK-Politics thread, but Catfish comment made me think of this)

Markus

Jimbuna

11-12-20, 05:33 AM

I fear it will offend you, but did anyone vote for Johnson? Except in his constituency?
Mrs von der Leyen was voted in by representatives of the 27 countries of the EU.
Johnson was not voted in but "elected" by paid-up members of his party.
(read this in the comments section)
But "Unelected EU bureaucrats?" :nope:

Certainly no offense taken but we are stuck with the system we have and it usually works pretty well. In fact, correct me if I'm wrong but only the parliament of Iceland is older in being as far as I'm aware and currently being too lazy to Google it :)

Jimbuna

11-12-20, 07:23 AM

One of Boris Johnson's closest aides, director of communications Lee Cain, has resigned amid reports of internal tensions in Downing Street.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54907188

Just a pity it isn't Cummings.

Jimbuna

11-12-20, 01:18 PM

The "penny is dropping" in Brussels over the UK's post-Brexit status as an independent nation as the deadline for a trade deal nears, says Michael Gove.

The cabinet office minister told the BBC that British negotiators needed to see "movement on the EU side".

The two sides resumed talks in London this week, with a UK government source saying they were in the "final stage".

But gaps remain, such as on fishing rights, with the UK source saying the EU's position was "wholly unrealistic".

Negotiations are set to continue in Brussels next week.

Catfish

11-13-20, 05:06 AM

So Cummings will leave?

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-politics/uk-pm-johnsons-brexit-brain-cummings-to-resign-by-year-end-idUSKBN27T0P8

Jimbuna

11-13-20, 05:23 AM

I most certainly hope so and closely followed by the bumbling buffoon if there is a God out there.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/hell-be-missed-dominic-cummings-to-leave-role-as-pms-chief-adviser-by-end-of-the-year/ar-BB1aXJCM?ocid=mailsignout&li=BBoPWjQ

Jimbuna

11-13-20, 05:44 AM

This really cracked me up :haha:

April 9, 2014
On a recent trip to the United States , Tony Blair, Ex. Prime Minister of the UK and now U.N. Middle East Peace Envoy, addressed a major gathering of Native American Indians.

He spoke for almost two hours on his success in bringing about a lasting peace settlement amongst the warring nations of the Middle East, likening it to the way that the U.S. Government found a suitable agreement with the North American tribes.

At the conclusion of his speech, the crowd presented him with a plaque inscribed with his new Indian name - Walking Eagle.

A very chuffed Tony then departed in his motorcade, waving to the crowds..

A news reporter later asked one of the Indians how they came to select the new name given to Tony Blair They explained that Walking Eagle is the name given to a bird so full of sh!t that it can no longer fly.

Jimbuna

11-13-20, 12:51 PM

Cummings to leave No 10 with immediate effect
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54938050

Bye bye Dominic

Skybird

11-13-20, 05:01 PM

Given his undisputed talent as a campaign strategist, his current retreat from British politics is unlikely to last.

https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=de&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.welt.de%2Fpolitik%2Fausland%2F article220097414%2FBoris-Johnson-Abtritt-der-Brexit-Boys-bedeutet-eine-Zaesur.html

Jimbuna

11-14-20, 05:42 AM

Cummings made too many enemies behind the scenes and the final straw for Boris was supposedly when verbal attacks were made against his fiance.

No doubt it will all come out in the wash.

Jimbuna

11-14-20, 06:01 AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDPPe2UCWCM

Jimbuna

11-14-20, 08:15 AM

Trade talks between the UK and EU are reaching the "make or break" point, the two sides have said, with key differences proving hard to resolve.

EU sources said there had been less progress in recent days on outstanding sticking points than they had hoped for and the "moment of truth" was nearing.

UK sources said there were still "quite big gaps" between the sides.

Both sides doubted that a draft deal could now be reached in the coming days, as the EU had originally hoped.

The two sides are in a race against the clock to settle their future economic partnership in time for it to take effect on 1 January, when the UK will leave the EU's single market and customs union.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54935034

Why don't they just spin a coin :o

Jimbuna

11-15-20, 07:31 AM

Sticking points over a post-Brexit trade agreement between the UK and EU "can be resolved" and a deal "can be done", says a government minister.

Environment Secretary George Eustice told the BBC's Andrew Marr "agreement exists" between the two sides.

But earlier, he told Sky News there was still "some way between us" and "time is very, very short" to agree a deal.

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said talks have "got to make big progress" in the coming week.

He told Sky's Sophy Ridge getting a trade agreement was "difficult but also very doable", and the consequences of failing to would be "significant".

The talks between the UK and EU are due to resume on Monday in Brussels.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54950011

Jimbuna

11-16-20, 12:05 PM

Boris Johnson, six Tory MPs and two political aides are self-isolating after a breakfast meeting inside Downing Street last Thursday.

One of the MPs, Lee Anderson, later tested positive for Covid-19, and on Sunday the prime minister was told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54956076

You'd have thought Boris would have learned his lesson by now.

Jimbuna

11-16-20, 12:07 PM

Hungary and Poland have blocked approval of the EU's budget over a clause that ties EU funding with adherence to the rule of law.

The financial package includes €750bn for a coronavirus recovery fund.

Ambassadors of the 27 member states meeting in Brussels were unable to endorse the budget because the two countries vetoed it.

Hungary and Poland have been criticised for violating democratic standards enshrined in the EU's founding treaty.

The EU is currently investigating both countries for undermining the independence of courts, media and non-governmental organisations. The clause threatens to cost them billions of euros in EU funding.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54964858

Looks like the tail is trying to wag the dog again.