It wont take long to sort out trade deals

Cameron and May the Chaos twins.

Whichever way you look at it this current government has been pretty abysmal. Cameron and May the Chaos twins.

LINKS
Britain 'could impose MARTIAL LAW to avoid chaos on the streets after no-deal Brexit' - as MPs face having their holidays CANCELLED to prepare for UK's departure

Lets face facts the Tories have reduced the deficit .....but ...hangon....

Lets face facts the Tories have reduced the deficit .....but ...hangon....

"In 2005 the UK “current budget deficit” was less that £20 billion. But then came the worldwide financial crisis of 2008 and subsequent recession. The budget deficit skyrocketed to £50 billion in 2009 and £103 billion in 2010. In the subsequent recovery the deficit has steadily declined, down to £1.9 billion in 2018."  {LINK}

So the deficit has reduced by 101.1 billion

                            But wait ....the UK debt is now over 70% more

"In 2005 the UK National Debt was less that £0.5 trillion. But then came the worldwide financial crisis of 2008 and subsequent recession. The National Debt increased rapidly and went over £1 trillion in 2011. At the end of the 2015-16 fiscal year, the National Debt went over £1.5 trillion." {LINK}

Its worth noting that its a total myth that Labour caused the financial crisis of 2008, a myth perpetuated by the Tories to good effect and people still believe it now.  Its well known that the greedy banks caused the crises but the Tories continue to promote the lie.

So UK debt when Tories took over was 1.01 Trillion

UK Debt in 2018 was 1.78 Trillion. That's 780 billion more.

May claimed that a vote for Labour would be a vote for "a coalition of Chaos" the facts are that the Tories turned out to be in chaos.

I'll just mention this.

"Corbyn's spending plans will bankrupt the country" the media screamed "its all uncosted" they claimed.

Fact Corbyn proposed to spend £250 billion on infrastructure, which in turn would create jobs, generally make things better and stimulate the economy.

What happened ....... Total melt down.

 The Tories however have increased the UK debt by £770 billion, with nothing to show for it.

Brexit: James Dyson Singapore Sling

"Dyson is going to be based in a country that has a free-trade agreement with the EU,  Yet James Dyson told you we should leave in order to boost British business."

LINKS Guardian: Dyson to move company HQ to Singapore
https://www.politico.eu/article/brexiteer-james-dyson-to-move-hq-to-singapore
Express: James Dyson declares Brexit will be a disaster for EUROPE as he predicts UK will WALK AWAY
https://www.indy100.com/article/james-dyson-brexit-singapore-electric-cars-eu-8598891
EU-Singapore: Council adopts decisions to sign trade and investment agreements
Wikipedia: European Union–Singapore Free Trade Agreement
Bloomberg: Brexit Sucks the Air Out of Dyson's Asia Move

Why hasn't Corbyn condemned the IRA?

Corbyn generally sticks to the mantra that he condems all violence.

However in in 1994 Jeremy Corbyn signed a motion that condemned IRA violence.

Jeremy Corbyn signed a motion in the House of Commons that condemned IRA violence and "extended its sympathy to the relatives of those murdered".

The Leader of the Labour Party supported an early day motion put forward by Labour MP David Winnick to commemorate the victims of the IRA bombing in Birmingham in 1974.  

The motion was tabled on the 20 year anniversary of the attack that killed 21 people and injured 182 others and was signed by Mr Corbyn in November 1994.

So in answer to the question

Why hasn't Corbyn condemned the IRA?

He has.



LINKS
Independent: Jeremy Corbyn signed a motion that condemned IRA violence in 1994

Facebook goes into melt down with anti Corbyn memes.

A narrow miss of getting a no confidence vote in the worst Tory government for years and Facebook goes into melt down with anti Corbyn memes.

Luckily as could be seen in the last General Election the public are seeing through the mis-information, lies, insults etc.

May will probably win today's no confidence vote in the Conservative party. But at what cost?

I expect Mayhem will win todays no confidence vote in the Conservative party. But at what cost, what will the DUP want this time for their backing? Plus the Tories are unlikely to vote for a no confidence vote in themselves.

So where does that leave us.

May seems to have been pushing forward on a deal of her own making in some grand attempt at being the Savior of the UK and putting herself on a standing with Thatcher in the history books (Not that I hold Thatcher in that great esteem) a vanity project from the start.  It is one thing Tories are good at ...vanity.

So is she playing a very clever remain game or a very bad leave game.

Going against the mandate of the country would be a very dangerous thing to do for any PM but she was a remainer at the start.

2 years of convoluted negotiations, well wasn't 2 years because it took about a year and a half to decide what they wanted and the EU still doesn't seem to know. 3 brexit Secretary's later and we are still no nearer to starting to negotiate trade deals.

The mantra still at present is
My deal
No deal
Or no brexit

However at the start it was Brexit means Brexit.....whatever that means. Seems to mean whatever brexit I dream up.

As the house is definitely opposed to no deal that leaves only 2 so she could be playing a clever remain game. Hmmm!

Seems to me the EU keep saying tell us what you really want. By that I think they mean we don't want to know what Mayhem wants we want to know what parliament wants. All the indications are that they realise that mayhem is forging forward with what she wants so they are not prepared to negotiate any further.

A proper proposal backed by parliament I believe the EU would discuss. Personally I think Mayhem is lying when she says there is no further negotiation. Yes there is no further negotiation on her deal but a deal backed by parliament would be looked at.

As such I conclude that she's just playing a vanity game and play hero. Trying to get herself in the history books as another Thatcher, although the Tory knives soon came out for her. Corbyn's only route after such an epic fail had to be to call for a vote of no confidence. Everyone would have been putting the boot in if he diddnt, even though chances of winning were slim.

Personally I think there should be a GE as it would hand back power to the people. All parties can campaign on the detail of what they think Brexit should be or even no brexit and the people can vote on the detail.

Another referendum well what goes on the ballot paper? May's deal, no deal, remain? We already voted to leave... How many referendums should we have? Should there need to be a clear 60% majority next time? I think there should.

Nope a General Election is the best route in my humble opinion.

Update

Have to say I don't agree with Labour's stance that a no deal Brexit should be taken of the table before cross party talks. This is not the time to be taking away the only thing that might worry the EU in negotiations. Also May would agree to this if her plan was always to engineer some form of Remain, we wait and see.  I can see why its being asked for but its also going to have little impact on business now at this late stage, so keep it in the cards we are holding while we work out how to play them.

Tories ready to self destruct?

I said 2 years ago that whoever negotiates brexit would die on their own sword. The vote was too close whatever deal you negotiate it'll be wrong for nearly 50%.

I believe the only way forward now is a General election. Each party can set out what their idea of brexit is and the country can vote on it.

If Mayhem makes it through the next 3 weeks I'll be amazed.  Maybe we could even see a split in the Tories. Maybe other parties as well.

Interesting times in UK politics I wouldn't want to be a politician.

Sinn Fein could really make things interesting if they turned up to vote. What a publicity stunt that would be.

Without Bercow there would be no Brexit

Today John Bercow made a decision that has sent certain groups of people into meltdown.

The Commons erupted over Speaker John Bercow's decision to allow an attempt to change the rules for the resumed "meaningful vote" debate. This is no mere technicality. The amendment proposed by former Attorney General Dominic Grieve would require the government to come back within three days, rather than 21, to debate the implications of not having a Brexit deal - if the prime minister's deal is indeed voted down next Tuesday. 

Under the previous rules, that debate would be kicked back to late February, with the Brexit clock ticking remorselessly in the background. The new Grieve amendment, now passed by MPs, means that in the event the PM loses next week, the Commons will then have a chance to vote on alternative policies - everything from a "managed no-deal" to a further referendum, via a "Norway option" or a reheated version of the current deal, could be on the table. 

If a majority could be found for anything, it would not have the force of law - but it would at least indicate a policy which had the support of MPs.

However back in the mists of time now ....back back to 2013 John Bercow made a decision that was described as "the single most important decision of his speakership" and paved the way for Brexit.

"And here is where Mr Speaker Bercow enters our story, with a ruling on an apparently in-house issue that probably ranks as the single most important decision of his speakership. He allowed an extra amendment to the Queen's Speech, stretching the terms of Commons Standing Order 33 probably beyond breaking point in the process."

Those who are in meltdown over this would do well do remember that without Bercow making the decision in 2013 there wouldn't be any Brexit.

As David Allen Green said in the Financial Times

"The recent decision by John Bercow, the Speaker of the House of Commons, to allow a vote on an amendment on a government business motion has prompted Tory unhappiness and screaming front page headlines in the right wing press. Even on its own merits, the subject is arcane. One suspects that few of those supposedly upset by this development knew or cared whether such votes were possible before a few days ago."

"In fact, there is little to be genuinely concerned about in what happened. All the Speaker did was to allow MPs to vote on how the business of the House should be conducted. The government’s real problem is not that the vote took place, but that it no longer has a working majority on Brexit issues. And the outcome of the vote was sensible: it obliges the government to act swiftly if, as is expected, it loses the “meaningful” vote next week on accepting the Brexit withdrawal agreement. Only a knavish or foolish partisan could be vexed by this."

Soapbox Comment

1. The Brexit referendum wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for Bercow.
2. He's normally pretty good at allowing all parties to put things forward for debate.
3. Personally I don't think he's very good at keeping the baying Tory animal pack in check.
4. I think it's a good move to get May back in 3 days if she loses the vote. That's what they are there for to debate things and make decisions. 
5. The vote was leave to take back democracy, well one of the reasons. This is our democracy at work.....debating and voting on things, not putting things off so they cant be discussed.
6. All they have to do now is make MPs legally liable for lying and libeling and take away Parliamentary privilege with regard to that and we'll be getting somewhere.

LINKS
BBC: Brexit: How rebel MPs outfoxed Cameron to get an EU referendum
Guardian: John Bercow backs referendum on Britain's EU membership
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2015-06-09c.1047.0
Guardian: Brexit: MPs vote 308-297 in favour of amendment for three-day 'plan B' deadline - Politics live
FT: Outrage at John Bercow is the sound of a constitution working

So who's gonna pay for the wall?

A little light relieve from Brexit and Borders ..... lets go to another Border.

So if Mexico is paying for the wall why are there loads of US workers not getting a Salary at present because Trump hasn't got the money for the wall?

Looks to me like he had 2 years when he had control and still couldn't get the money.

So who's really going to end up paying for the wall? 

Hmmmm...I'm not a hard core betting man but...curve ball coming.

Anna Soubry didn't claim £14 for delivering Remembrance Day Poppies

So the question is did Anna Soubry claim £14 for delivering Remembrance Day Poppies?

The meme doesn't say when, but according to the Daily Mirror ......

The office of Soubry – who was Veterans Minister at the time – billed taxpayers for travel expenses for the 32.3-mile trip last November

ByVincent Moss & Matthew Drake

• 21:23, 13 JUN 2015
• UPDATED21:25, 13 JUN 2015

So if it was last November it must be November 2014

The office of the former TV presenter, 58 – who was Veterans Minister at the time – billed taxpayers £14.54 for travel expenses for the 32.3-mile trip last November.

Soubry said her office administrator made the claim for delivering the poppies to be used in services around her constituency of Broxtowe, Notts, while the MP attended a ceremony in Beeston.

Soubry was on a salary of £98,740 when the trip was made. It was described in the claim as an “around constituency trip delivering wreaths to constituents to lay on Member’s behalf”. 

Soapbox Comment

• Looking through MP's expenses for the year 14/15 there is only one amount for £14.54
• Claim no. 389154
• The date is 28/10/2014 ....which isn't November.
• Category is: Staff Travel  Expense type is: Own Vehicle Car MP Staff  Journey Type is: Within Constituency Travel
• There are no other details
• Basic salary received during 2014 to 2015 was £67,059.96

As much as I like Tory bashing the Meme is incorrect Anna Soubry didn't claim travel expenses to deliver Poppies.  A staff member did make an expense claim for £14.58 for Within Constituency Travel, 14 days before Remembrance day.

Her salary during 2014/15 was £67,059.96, so where the mirror gets £98,740 from I'm not sure.

LINKS
Mirror: Tory minister Anna Soubry claimed £14 cost of delivering Remembrance Day poppies
http://www.theipsa.org.uk/mp-costs/your-mp/anna-soubry
https://broxvox.wordpress.com/2015/06/14/anna-soubry-lambasted-in-ill-informed-and-suggestive-mirror-article
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/24772/anna_soubry/broxtowe

Latest thoughts on Brexit

There shouldn't be another vote on brexit. The vote should never have been run on 1st past the post vote but should have required a 60% majority, that way country would not be split. However Cameron and the Tories ran it that way so that's it. The only way to revote now is a General Election. 

Mayhems deal is looking like it will get voted down. Unless she changes it slightly with a amendment that she'll take it back to the EU for hard assurances on the backstop. That might pacify a few, maybe enough to get it through? 

If it is voted down Labour will probably trigger a vote of no confidence in the Government. That vote will rely on whether the DUP continue to support the Tories. 

Just a thought but what would really throw a spanner in the works would be if Sinn Fein took their seats in parliament for the vote. 

A lot of MPs would go for a GE because the country gets to vote again and it bypasses another vote being called undemocratic.

Does the Good Friday agreement mention the border between N.Ireland and Ireland?

The Good Friday Agreement

Does the Good Friday agreement mention the border between N. Ireland and Ireland?

In fact The Good Friday Agreement is ambiguous in the extreme which was fine when we were part of the EU. Now we are leaving it causes problems.

The word Border on its own is used once under the heading

RIGHTS, SAFEGUARDS AND EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY

Economic, Social and Cultural Issues 

2. Subject to the public consultation currently under way, the British Government will make rapid progress with: 

(i) a new regional development strategy for Northern Ireland, for consideration in due course by a the Assembly, tackling the problems of a divided society and social cohesion in urban, rural and border areas, protecting and enhancing the environment, producing new approaches to transport issues, strengthening the physical infrastructure of the region, developing the advantages and resources of rural areas and rejuvenating major urban centres; 

Apart from that the word border is used a further 9 times as cross-border I wont post them all but they can be found in these sections.

STRAND TWO - NORTH/SOUTH MINISTERIAL COUNCIL - there are Severn mentions of cross-border. 

BRITISH-IRISH INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCE -  there are Two mentions of cross-border. {LINK}

The only thing that is mentioned which would relate to the border but doesn't specifically say it in the agreement. Is the mention of removal of security installations.

LINKS

Gov.uk: The Belfast Agreement, also known as the Good Friday Agreement, was reached in multi-party negotiations and signed on 10 April 1998.
https://www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk/sites/default/files/TheGoodFridayAgreementBrexitandRights_0.pdf