BREXIT! BREXIT! BREXIT!

[Brian Peacock]

So, is it true that a no-deal Brexit is looking increasingly to be the most likely outcome?

Emigrating to Oz is still a thing, guys...

Yeah, as long as you don't arrive by boat!



Sorry, that was beyond the pail.

[JimC]

So, is it true that a no-deal Brexit is looking increasingly to be the most likely outcome?

Emigrating to Oz is still a thing, guys...

Yeah, as long as you don't arrive by boat!



Sorry, that was beyond the pail.

It's not really a problem if you have white skin...

But I'm certain we have room for a few more ten pound poms!

(BTW, is beyond the pail a place to visit on your bucket list? )

[Scot Dutchy]

This little ditty Brian:

the biggest political party in Europe

[Brian Peacock]

We don't count Russia.

[Rum]

In Russia, party joins you.

[Brian Peacock]

Prepare for Brexit: https://www.gov.uk/prepare-eu-exit

[pErvinalia]

Start stockpiling Union Jacks!

[JimC]

...and toilet paper!

[Brian Peacock]

Gordon Brown bemoans the rise of nationalism in The Observer...

The very idea of a united kingdom is being torn apart by toxic nationalism

The first step to solving a problem is to see it clearly. And if we are to understand why we are facing not only our most serious constitutional crisis since the 17th century but an unprecedented economic calamity precipitated by a no-deal exit from the EU, we must recognise that nationalism is now driving British politics.

Having set almost impossible terms for any negotiation with Europe and preparing to renege on legal obligations to pay our debts to the EU – the economic equivalent of a declaration of war – Boris Johnson’s government is hell-bent on conjuring up the absurd and mendacious image of the patriotic British valiantly defying an intransigent Europe determined to turn us into a vassal state..

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... ationalism

As per for old New Labour, Brown's explanation for "why we are facing not only our most serious constitutional crisis since the 17th century" takes a scattergun approach to morally naming-and-shaming all and sundry as a means to deflect culpability directed at his own quarter. Let's be honest here, Brown is essentially making a nationalist pitch for a united Britain run under market principles, and his 'true Britain' stance mostly involves staying in the EU and glossing over the real reasons people voted Leave (besides sticking two fingers up to Cameron) so that we can continue business a usual. He just hates to see his lagacy despoiled even though Brown and Blair dumped as much shit on their (our) doorstep as Farage or BlowJo.

Yeah, I'm a bit annoyed by Brown - and all those old New Labour grandees - who bang on indecently about how their so-called 'Third Way' was and is the only possible way forward for Britain. The Third Way was/is nothing but a PR and policy skit, a (largely) successful attempt to redefine the Left as the Centre by appealing to the Right - and when one walks like the Right, talks like the Right, looks like the Right, and governs like the Right then the colour of a candidate's rosette because nothing but a brand accessory. For Brown to really understand the rise of popularism and nationalism since 2016 then he'd first have to acknowledge New Labour's complicity in continuing the neo-liberal project when they took up the reins from the Thatcher/Major governments in 1998 - essentially all we got was "same shit, different smell".

Read the opinion piece. He doesn't give an account or analysis of popularism/nationalism's rise. Far from it. He just blames everybody else in politics for existing and for being shitty to each other. Same shit, different smell.

[Brian Peacock]

Corbyn offers to head a 'time-limited' cross-party government whose sole aim would be to call a general election.

Jeremy Corbyn just got inside everyone else’s decision cycles. The Labour leader’s offer to lead a “strictly time-limited” government, to prevent a no-deal Brexit and to call a general election, has forced all political factions to react and led the news bulletins.

Amid the initial responses – which ranged from cautious to churlish – the bigger point has been missed. Corbyn’s gambit crossed numerous significant lines, both political and psychological.

First, it was a decisive rebuff to the leader of the Unite union, Len McCluskey. McCluskey is leading a rearguard action against Corbyn’s move to back a second referendum in all circumstances. Corbyn’s letter offered to make the second referendum the centrepiece of Labour’s election campaign.

Second, the actual offer was much more open than those close to Corbyn had been expecting. The letter says nothing about a Labour minority government seeking confidence and supply from other opposition parties. Instead it offers to begin negotiations for a “temporary government with the aim of calling a general election” and securing an extension of article 50 to do so. These words open the possibility of either an outright temporary coalition or a technocratic government...

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... referendum

The Liberal Democrats ruled that out flat. The self-styled party of Remain it seems would rather see a no-deal Brexit than take part in an alliance of convenience in order to put the Brexit question to the nation. The Welsh and Scottish nationalists have made encouraging noises, as have some anti-no-deal Tories - but the Lib Dems prefer to make Corbyn a red-lined sticking point which scuppers allowing Corbyn to go to the Queen for a snap election. I can't understand why the Lib Dems seem so eager to shoot their own policy in the face like this.

[PsychoSerenity]

The Liberal Democrats ruled that out flat. The self-styled party of Remain it seems would rather see a no-deal Brexit than take part in an alliance of convenience in order to put the Brexit question to the nation. The Welsh and Scottish nationalists have made encouraging noises, as have some anti-no-deal Tories - but the Lib Dems prefer to make Corbyn a red-lined sticking point which scuppers allowing Corbyn to go to the Queen for a snap election. I can't understand why the Lib Dems seem so eager to shoot their own policy in the face like this.

From what I've heard many Lib Dem members and supporters are rather disappointed with the game-playing of their new leader on this. In response she has slightly rowed back and now agreed to meet Corbyn, but still insisting that someone else should get the temp PM job, claiming he wouldn't get the numbers to support the unity government in parliament.

I mean, she might be right but you're not going to know that until you put it to the test, and if it turns out after a vote of no confidence has passed that he doesn't get the numbers to support him, they have several days to try again with someone else if needs be. It doesn't make any sense to not commit now, apart from as party-political manoeuvring which in the current situation looks fucking pathetic from Swinson.

[Scot Dutchy]

Even with the LibDems he does not have enough votes and other parties are not willing to support him. Better to look for some one else who can. Corbyn is not attracting the rebel tory MP's and independents which is a vital requirement. I dont think you can get more than one bite at the cherry.

[JimC]

I suspect it will be seen as a party-based political manoeuvre rather than a potential escape from Brexit...

[Scot Dutchy]

Corbyn hates the EU as much as the Brexiteers. In his so called political career he always voted against every treaty and anything in fact to do with the EU and its different forms.

[rainbow]

The Liberal Democrats ruled that out flat. The self-styled party of Remain it seems would rather see a no-deal Brexit than take part in an alliance of convenience in order to put the Brexit question to the nation. The Welsh and Scottish nationalists have made encouraging noises, as have some anti-no-deal Tories - but the Lib Dems prefer to make Corbyn a red-lined sticking point which scuppers allowing Corbyn to go to the Queen for a snap election. I can't understand why the Lib Dems seem so eager to shoot their own policy in the face like this.

Posturing.
The Literal Dingbats are closer to the Tory Remainers than to Labour, and they know that Corbyn is not everyone's choice for PM.
If there is a vote of no confidence, it might lose because almost nobody wants Jerry MacFurryface.