UK Politics Thread

[Jimbuna]

The UK government is poised to introduce legislation that would allow ministers in London to override parts of the Brexit deal on Northern Ireland, a senior government source has said.

Boris Johnson is due to visit Belfast later to encourage the restoration of Northern Ireland's government.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is refusing to enter the assembly because of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

It was designed to ensure free trade continued across the Irish land border.

The recent assembly election on 5 May cemented a majority for those who accept the protocol, including the new largest party, Sinn Féin. But it has been opposed by unionist politicians.

The DUP has argued the protocol has eroded the foundations devolution was built on and undermined Northern Ireland's position in the UK.

Despite signing up to the deal himself, Mr Johnson agrees changes are needed.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-61456677

[Moonlight]

When Bozo has finished faffing around in Northern Ireland he can start working on all the promises he and his cronies made regarding Brexit, this load of bollocks he's delivered is not what the public voted for.

[Skybird]

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-61466142


Attention! All prices - ready to go UUUPPPPPPPP...!


Well, I ordered a watch from London last autumn, and got it for almost 55% of what it costed over here.

[Jimbuna]

A trade war should it occur will be damaging to both sides so hopefully a solution will be found but I somehow doubt it.

[Jimbuna]

The UK government pledges a law to change parts of the Brexit deal agreed with the EU on Northern Ireland.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss says the bill will ease trade and insists it will not break international law.

But the government is facing criticism, with many MPs questioning the legality of the plan.

In Brussels, EU negotiators say they have significant concerns and warn they could retaliate.

But Boris Johnson defends his government, saying: "We don't want to nix it, we want to fix it"

Special trade arrangements - known as the Northern Ireland Protocol - were needed after the UK left the EU

But they have resulted in delays and price rises as goods arriving in Northern Ireland require paperwork.

Political institutions in Northern Ireland are at a standstill because of the issue but the majority of elected NI assembly members accept the protocol.

[Jimbuna]

Boris Johnson tells Prime Minister's Questions he will "look at all the measures" needed to help people struggling with rising bills.

Sir Keir Starmer presses him on Labour's call for a one-off tax on oil and gas profits, arguing it would raise "billions" to help with energy bills.

But the PM replies "this government is not in principle in favour of higher taxation"

Meanwhile, SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford calls for an emergency budget.

The Commons debate comes as the UK's rate of inflation reaches 9% as prices rise at the highest rate for 40 years.

Soaring energy bills are the main driver, after the UK's energy price cap increased in April. Covid-19 and the Ukraine war have also hit global supply chains.

Inflation is expected to continue to rise, and Citizens Advice has urged anyone finding it difficult to pay bills to seek help.

[Jimbuna]

[Skybird]

Headline of the month. BBC titles: "Boris Johnson lives in a slow motion desaster movie". Reading that I had to laugh out loud.

[Jimbuna]

Senior civil servant Sue Gray met Boris Johnson to discuss publishing photos as part of her inquiry into Downing Street parties, the BBC has been told.

A senior government source said the PM had told Ms Gray the decision was a matter for her, and the findings of her investigation were not discussed.

The source said it was now expected Ms Gray, who requested the meeting, would include pictures in her final report.

Labour suggested the "secret meeting" could damage confidence in the process.

Ms Gray has been looking into numerous gatherings reported to have taken place in Downing Street in 2020 and 2021, when Covid restrictions were in place.

Her full report is set to be published next week after the Metropolitan Police announced it had concluded its investigation, which saw a total of 126 fines issued to 83 people.

Around 30 individuals, including the prime minister, have already been informed they are likely to be named by Ms Gray.

They have until Sunday evening to lodge any objections.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-61531971

Really looking forward to reading this report when it is published.

[Jimbuna]

Photographs obtained by ITV News cast fresh doubt on the Prime Minister’s claims that he was unaware of rule-breaking in Downing Street during the pandemic.

The four images show the Prime Minister raising a glass at a leaving party on 13th November 2020, with bottles of alcohol and party food on the table in front of him.

They were taken at a gathering in honour of the Downing Street’s then Director of Communications Lee Cain, with eight people pictured standing closely together, as well as the photographer.

ITV News understands there were also other participants out of shot at the party, which one source has dubbed "Fizzgate", despite the rules at the time only allowing two people from different households to mix indoors.

In several of the photographs, Boris Johnson appears to be making a speech and raising a toast, with half a glass of fizz in his hands.

On a chair sits his red box, and on the table next to him are two bottles of champagne or cava, four bottles of wine and half a bottle of gin.
https://www.itv.com/news/2022-05-23/...uring-lockdown

This individual is not fit to run this country.

[mapuc]

^ Is there any qualified Politician in your country Jim that is fit to run your country ?

Markus

[Jimbuna]

Highly doubtful at the present time but that is only my opinion of course.

If I had my way there would be a coalition government.

[Catfish]

^^ good you did not ask about Germany, Marcus

[Jimbuna]

Earlier, when I mentioned coalition government Kai, I was not suggesting anything like the one your country currently have

[Catfish]

It would not be so bad if SPD and Scholz were not involved. Just of all the Greens are all for supporting, but Scholz always dodges. Even people in Germany seem to realize that Scholz is obviously against Ukraine winning the war. And then this "defence minister" lmao.
Ok no theme for this thread but..