Mr. 1992, ha. Can't be as fun as the time I was the only man in an hour long seminar that was on menstruation.
I hope on leaving you were heard to say "well that was a bloody waste of time...."
A friend of my son's took a course on Women's Studies at Uni, largely, IIRC, for a dare. He infuriated the lecturer, largely because he was there, but also because he did what you're supposed to do at Uni, and argued his corner. Somewhat unsurprisingly she failed him which meant he got a Desmond.
Mr. Mark, in retrospect, I feel slightly sorry for the ladies present as it must've been a little awkward for them too.
On the plus side, I learnt the mingke[sp] whale is the only other animal that menstruates, lending credence to the aquatic ape theory.
And that women collectively overestimate how many of them suffer PMS (via reported suffering compared to diaries they wrote themselves). Obviously pointing this out is not for the faint of heart.
Mr. 1992, ha. Can't be as fun as the time I was the only man in an hour long seminar that was on menstruation.
I hope on leaving you were heard to say "well that was a bloody waste of time...."
A friend of my son's took a course on Women's Studies at Uni, largely, IIRC, for a dare. He infuriated the lecturer, largely because he was there, but also because he did what you're supposed to do at Uni, and argued his corner. Somewhat unsurprisingly she failed him which meant he got a Desmond.
Mr. Mark, in retrospect, I feel slightly sorry for the ladies present as it must've been a little awkward for them too.
On the plus side, I learnt the mingke[sp] whale is the only other animal that menstruates, lending credence to the aquatic ape theory.
And that women collectively overestimate how many of them suffer PMS (via reported suffering compared to diaries they wrote themselves). Obviously pointing this out is not for the faint of heart.
King Cole, I didn't say anything, but one of the feminist lecturers did state (wrongly) that 'history' was indicative of male privilege etc, being 'his story'.
It derives, of course, from the Latin historia. Which is a feminine noun.
'May floats prospect of joint UK-Ireland World Cup bid for 2030
May says the ties of family and friendship between the UK and Ireland are more important than ever. There is a yearning for a close relationship. That is why she will work with Leo Varadkar, the Irish PM, to achieve this.
She says the Irish government has suggested annual meetings, where both PMs and their ministers could come together to discuss issues.
May floats the prospect of the UK and Ireland staging a joint World Cup bid for 2030, provided the two respective football associations approve the idea.'
Did she really say this? And isn't she aware that the Scots and Welsh have FA'd off already?
The idea of a UK - Ireland joint world cup bid with matches at grounds across both countries has been on the agenda for a long time. It is not new
I thought it was the three home nations (without England) plus RoI. I wonder who suggested it to May!
I assume TM has been aware of the plans for as long as they have been discussed
It is a joint UK and Ireland bid to include all nations. Bit like the rugby but without France
From the words she used, as reported, I think she thought it was her idea. But you think more highly of her than I do, so may be giving her the benefit of the doubt which I would not.
On the subject of TM I really did not see the point in her speech in NI today.
As far as I can see she was trying to smooth over waters but of course trying to explain to business why the backstop they had endorsed was now persona non grata was never a win situation.
I am frustrated with the whole process and I am hoping the HOC will put direction into it next week and TM must then get on with it
I cannot see anything but an extension now and with a move towards Norway but if that is the case we should just remain. In those circumstances TM would have to resign
For now I am hoping she breaks through but boy, is it frustrating
Hello, first post. A refugee from Order-Order. The site is a joke, too many weirdos and nasty people abound.
Welcome. I hope we've less weirdos and nasties.
Thank you OKC. Read this blog for ages and decided, to be honest, far more interesting and sociable. The language on OrderOrder is disgraceful and I consider myself a man of the world.
Welcome to PB - It is virtually my first place for news these days. And such varied opinions
Cheers Big G. Where about in North Wales, I know it well, at least every inch of the A55
King Cole, I didn't say anything, but one of the feminist lecturers did state (wrongly) that 'history' was indicative of male privilege etc, being 'his story'.
It derives, of course, from the Latin historia. Which is a feminine noun.
Hello, first post. A refugee from Order-Order. The site is a joke, too many weirdos and nasty people abound.
Welcome. I hope we've less weirdos and nasties.
Thank you OKC. Read this blog for ages and decided, to be honest, far more interesting and sociable. The language on OrderOrder is disgraceful and I consider myself a man of the world.
Welcome to PB - It is virtually my first place for news these days. And such varied opinions
Cheers Big G. Where about in North Wales, I know it well, at least every inch of the A55
Mr. 1992, ha. Can't be as fun as the time I was the only man in an hour long seminar that was on menstruation.
I hope on leaving you were heard to say "well that was a bloody waste of time...."
A friend of my son's took a course on Women's Studies at Uni, largely, IIRC, for a dare. He infuriated the lecturer, largely because he was there, but also because he did what you're supposed to do at Uni, and argued his corner. Somewhat unsurprisingly she failed him which meant he got a Desmond.
A friend of mine is Professor of Gender and Culture. She gets quite a few male students on her courses in feminist theory. In paeticular they tend to be international students.
'May floats prospect of joint UK-Ireland World Cup bid for 2030
May says the ties of family and friendship between the UK and Ireland are more important than ever. There is a yearning for a close relationship. That is why she will work with Leo Varadkar, the Irish PM, to achieve this.
She says the Irish government has suggested annual meetings, where both PMs and their ministers could come together to discuss issues.
May floats the prospect of the UK and Ireland staging a joint World Cup bid for 2030, provided the two respective football associations approve the idea.'
Did she really say this? And isn't she aware that the Scots and Welsh have FA'd off already?
The idea of a UK - Ireland joint world cup bid with matches at grounds across both countries has been on the agenda for a long time. It is not new
I thought it was the three home nations (without England) plus RoI. I wonder who suggested it to May!
I assume TM has been aware of the plans for as long as they have been discussed
It is a joint UK and Ireland bid to include all nations. Bit like the rugby but without France
From the words she used, as reported, I think she thought it was her idea. But you think more highly of her than I do, so may be giving her the benefit of the doubt which I would not.
On the subject of TM I really did not see the point in her speech in NI today.
As far as I can see she was trying to smooth over waters but of course trying to explain to business why the backstop they had endorsed was now persona non grata was never a win situation.
I am frustrated with the whole process and I am hoping the HOC will put direction into it next week and TM must then get on with it
I cannot see anything but an extension now and with a move towards Norway but if that is the case we should just remain. In those circumstances TM would have to resign
For now I am hoping she breaks through but boy, is it frustrating
Agree; we really need to get the matter sorted. Someone one said the other day that if you loaded a ship with cars this weeks they would not get to, for example South Korea for six weeks and what will the import rules be then? And, from family experience, the South Koreans are a touchy lot when it comes to standards and rules.
Mr. 1992, ha. Can't be as fun as the time I was the only man in an hour long seminar that was on menstruation.
I hope on leaving you were heard to say "well that was a bloody waste of time...."
A friend of my son's took a course on Women's Studies at Uni, largely, IIRC, for a dare. He infuriated the lecturer, largely because he was there, but also because he did what you're supposed to do at Uni, and argued his corner. Somewhat unsurprisingly she failed him which meant he got a Desmond.
A friend of mine is Professor of Gender and Culture. She gets quite a few male students on her courses in feminist theory. In paeticular they tend to be international students.
Glad to hear it. My anecdote was from over 20 years ago so attitudes may well have moved on.
'May floats prospect of joint UK-Ireland World Cup bid for 2030
May says the ties of family and friendship between the UK and Ireland are more important than ever. There is a yearning for a close relationship. That is why she will work with Leo Varadkar, the Irish PM, to achieve this.
She says the Irish government has suggested annual meetings, where both PMs and their ministers could come together to discuss issues.
May floats the prospect of the UK and Ireland staging a joint World Cup bid for 2030, provided the two respective football associations approve the idea.'
Did she really say this? And isn't she aware that the Scots and Welsh have FA'd off already?
The idea of a UK - Ireland joint world cup bid with matches at grounds across both countries has been on the agenda for a long time. It is not new
I thought it was the three home nations (without England) plus RoI. I wonder who suggested it to May!
I assume TM has been aware of the plans for as long as they have been discussed
It is a joint UK and Ireland bid to include all nations. Bit like the rugby but without France
From the words she used, as reported, I think she thought it was her idea. But you think more highly of her than I do, so may be giving her the benefit of the doubt which I would not.
On the subject of TM I really did not see the point in her speech in NI today.
As far as I can see she was trying to smooth over waters but of course trying to explain to business why the backstop they had endorsed was now persona non grata was never a win situation.
I am frustrated with the whole process and I am hoping the HOC will put direction into it next week and TM must then get on with it
I cannot see anything but an extension now and with a move towards Norway but if that is the case we should just remain. In those circumstances TM would have to resign
For now I am hoping she breaks through but boy, is it frustrating
Agree; we really need to get the matter sorted. Someone one said the other day that if you loaded a ship with cars this weeks they would not get to, for example South Korea for six weeks and what will the import rules be then? And, from family experience, the South Koreans are a touchy lot when it comes to standards and rules.
Over the next month, a lot of lambs will be born in the UK, 70% normally are exported to the EU. 35% tarrif if no deal, I believe.
Yay, another British idiot giving the rest of us a bad name.
What chance there’s way more to the actual story than the Grauniad are reporting?
Apparently he's an Arsenal fan who lives in the West Midlands.
Make of that what you will!
Even if he didn’t have perfect knowledge of the complicated political situation in the Gulf, he must surely have noticed from his experience of going to football matches that he was wearing the shirt of the team playing the host nation, that he was the *only* person wearing such shirt, and that people were offering him piles of cash for his ticket - as the local Emiratis were to anyone who looked like a tourist.
Much more likely he was drunk and making a nuisance of himself.
'May floats prospect of joint UK-Ireland World Cup bid for 2030
May says the ties of family and friendship between the UK and Ireland are more important than ever. There is a yearning for a close relationship. That is why she will work with Leo Varadkar, the Irish PM, to achieve this.
She says the Irish government has suggested annual meetings, where both PMs and their ministers could come together to discuss issues.
May floats the prospect of the UK and Ireland staging a joint World Cup bid for 2030, provided the two respective football associations approve the idea.'
Did she really say this? And isn't she aware that the Scots and Welsh have FA'd off already?
The idea of a UK - Ireland joint world cup bid with matches at grounds across both countries has been on the agenda for a long time. It is not new
I thought it was the three home nations (without England) plus RoI. I wonder who suggested it to May!
I assume TM has been aware of the plans for as long as they have been discussed
It is a joint UK and Ireland bid to include all nations. Bit like the rugby but without France
From the words she used, as reported, I think she thought it was her idea. But you think more highly of her than I do, so may be giving her the benefit of the doubt which I would not.
On the subject of TM I really did not see the point in her speech in NI today.
As far as I can see she was trying to smooth over waters but of course trying to explain to business why the backstop they had endorsed was now persona non grata was never a win situation.
I am frustrated with the whole process and I am hoping the HOC will put direction into it next week and TM must then get on with it
I cannot see anything but an extension now and with a move towards Norway but if that is the case we should just remain. In those circumstances TM would have to resign
For now I am hoping she breaks through but boy, is it frustrating
Agree; we really need to get the matter sorted. Someone one said the other day that if you loaded a ship with cars this weeks they would not get to, for example South Korea for six weeks and what will the import rules be then? And, from family experience, the South Koreans are a touchy lot when it comes to standards and rules.
Over the next month, a lot of lambs will be born in the UK, 70% normally are exported to the EU. 35% tarrif if no deal, I believe.
Mr. 1992, ha. Can't be as fun as the time I was the only man in an hour long seminar that was on menstruation.
I hope on leaving you were heard to say "well that was a bloody waste of time...."
A friend of my son's took a course on Women's Studies at Uni, largely, IIRC, for a dare. He infuriated the lecturer, largely because he was there, but also because he did what you're supposed to do at Uni, and argued his corner. Somewhat unsurprisingly she failed him which meant he got a Desmond.
A friend of mine is Professor of Gender and Culture. She gets quite a few male students on her courses in feminist theory. In paeticular they tend to be international students.
Glad to hear it. My anecdote was from over 20 years ago so attitudes may well have moved on.
Apparently it is often so they can write better grant applications to NGO's, though presumably some agree with the course objectives.
Liam Neeson! I honestly don't know what to say. Except what a good job he didn't actually slay any black men. That would have been hard to bounce back from.
'May floats prospect of joint UK-Ireland World Cup bid for 2030
May says the ties of family and friendship between the UK and Ireland are more important than ever. There is a yearning for a close relationship. That is why she will work with Leo Varadkar, the Irish PM, to achieve this.
The idea of a UK - Ireland joint world cup bid with matches at grounds across both countries has been on the agenda for a long time. It is not new
I thought it was the three home nations (without England) plus RoI. I wonder who suggested it to May!
I assume TM has been aware of the plans for as long as they have been discussed
It is a joint UK and Ireland bid to include all nations. Bit like the rugby but without France
From the words she used, as reported, I think she thought it was her idea. But you think more highly of her than I do, so may be giving her the benefit of the doubt which I would not.
On the subject of TM I really did not see the point in her speech in NI today.
As far as I can see she was trying to smooth over waters but of course trying to explain to business why the backstop they had endorsed was now persona non grata was never a win situation.
I am frustrated with the whole process and I am hoping the HOC will put direction into it next week and TM must then get on with it
I cannot see anything but an extension now and with a move towards Norway but if that is the case we should just remain. In those circumstances TM would have to resign
For now I am hoping she breaks through but boy, is it frustrating
Agree; we really need to get the matter sorted. Someone one said the other day that if you loaded a ship with cars this weeks they would not get to, for example South Korea for six weeks and what will the import rules be then? And, from family experience, the South Koreans are a touchy lot when it comes to standards and rules.
I visited Busan in South Korea a couple of years ago and it was just amazing. It looked as if they had highjacked all the worlds shipbuilding and ship maintenance and just ozzed manufacturing activity.
There is no doubt the far east is the future for trade as the EU struggles as per the report today in the decline of Germany as it loses out across the board to China
Not that I want a no deal, not under any circumstances
My less politically correct creation Sir Edric occasionally (when people use idiotic terms like mansplaining) refers to femsterical people, or ovary-acting.
This bizarre idea that (in everyday discourse) gender-based insults are a good thing is baffling to me. For comedians and the like, it's a different kettle of monkeys.
'May floats prospect of joint UK-Ireland World Cup bid for 2030
May says the ties of family and friendship between the UK and Ireland are more important than ever. There is a yearning for a close relationship. That is why she will work with Leo Varadkar, the Irish PM, to achieve this.
The idea of a UK - Ireland joint world cup bid with matches at grounds across both countries has been on the agenda for a long time. It is not new
I thought it was the three home nations (without England) plus RoI. I wonder who suggested it to May!
I assume TM has been aware of the plans for as long as they have been discussed
It is a joint UK and Ireland bid to include all nations. Bit like the rugby but without France
From the words she used, as reported, I think she thought it was her idea. But you think more highly of her than I do, so may be giving her the benefit of the doubt which I would not.
On the subject of TM I really did not see the point in her speech in NI today.
I cannot see anything but an extension now and with a move towards Norway but if that is the case we should just remain. In those circumstances TM would have to resign
For now I am hoping she breaks through but boy, is it frustrating
Agree; we really need to get the matter sorted. Someone one said the other day that if you loaded a ship with cars this weeks they would not get to, for example South Korea for six weeks and what will the import rules be then? And, from family experience, the South Koreans are a touchy lot when it comes to standards and rules.
I visited Busan in South Korea a couple of years ago and it was just amazing. It looked as if they had highjacked all the worlds shipbuilding and ship maintenance and just ozzed manufacturing activity.
There is no doubt the far east is the future for trade as the EU struggles as per the report today in the decline of Germany as it loses out across the board to China
Not that I want a no deal, not under any circumstances
Agree, again. Not been to Korea, but one of my sons visits regularly selling British electronics. Apparently, from the commission he reports, successfully. It's a big market for his company.
Liam Neeson! I honestly don't know what to say. Except what a good job he didn't actually slay any black men. That would have been hard to bounce back from.
We can add "Taken" to the method acted/directed movie list... (Includes Lolita and American Beauty...)
At that point if she really cared about the UK she’d tell the ERG and DUP nutjobs to either accept that or she’ll revoke Article 50 and resign .
It’s astonishing that the country is being held hostage by a at Max a 100 MPs out of 650.
Ip
I hope that next week the HOC gets their act together and takes no deal off the table
That would focus minds
I don't think she has to take ND off the table. She would never go there, so it is effectively off the table already.
I agree that the point will come very soon when she can frankly and bluntly say as you propose - 'My Deal, or Revoke. You choose.'
Yep. Either that or My Deal or Referendum.
I suspect ERG would be delighted with My Deal or Revoke. They would vote down her deal and then spend five years screaming democratic betrayal, and Farage can start his new party.
"That's nothing, I've worn Liverpool shirts in Manchester."
You mad fool.
A few years ago, I wore my Boston United replica shirt on a night out in Liverpool. On the piss-heads' train back (the last one) to Manchester Victoria (I get off at Rainhill), I got talking to a couple of Mancs who asked about the shirt. All very amiable until the Scousers' ears pricked up.
When the men mentioned they were United fans, there was a sudden hush and a half dozen large and drunk gentlemen took a sudden interest. I did my boy-scout act by doing my best to protect them (Boston fans are a curiosity not a problem). I manged to keep them safe until the couple got off quickly at Huyton, where I suspect they called a taxi to go home.
A majority of the Commons voted against No Deal last month by 318 votes to 310.
The question is if the Deal is defeated again but the Commons backs permanent Customs Union with Single Market elements on a similar margin to its rejection of No Deal would May accept that or there be a confrontation between the executive and legislature?
From the words she used, as reported, I think she thought it was her idea. But you think more highly of her than I do, so may be giving her the benefit of the doubt which I would not.
On the subject of TM I really did not see the point in her speech in NI today.
As far as I can see she was trying to smooth over waters but of course trying to explain to business why the backstop they had endorsed was now persona non grata was never a win situation.
I am frustrated with the whole process and I am hoping the HOC will put direction into it next week and TM must then get on with it
I cannot see anything but an extension now and with a move towards Norway but if that is the case we should just remain. In those circumstances TM would have to resign
For now I am hoping she breaks through but boy, is it frustrating
Agree; we really need to get the matter sorted. Someone one said the other day that if you loaded a ship with cars this weeks they would not get to, for example South Korea for six weeks and what will the import rules be then? And, from family experience, the South Koreans are a touchy lot when it comes to standards and rules.
I visited Busan in South Korea a couple of years ago and it was just amazing. It looked as if they had highjacked all the worlds shipbuilding and ship maintenance and just ozzed manufacturing activity.
There is no doubt the far east is the future for trade as the EU struggles as per the report today in the decline of Germany as it loses out across the board to China
Not that I want a no deal, not under any circumstances
I know this is a controversial view, but the clean break with the EU ecosystem that is no deal, represents the best chance of increasing trade with the growth markets in Asia. In the medium term (5-10 years) it will almost certainly be advantageous, as compared to still discussing a trade agreement with the EU while trapped in their CU backstop.
The political questions are: can we mitigate sufficiently the short term impact of leaving with no deal, to realise the gains on the other side; and do we have sufficient dynamics in government and business to be able to take full advantage of the opportunity?
The closest parallel is probably when we left the ERM in 1992 - it was with hindsight very good economically in the medium term, but disastrous politically for the government of the day to have lost control of events.
The latest lunacy is to remove all tariffs in the event of no deal .
This would overnight destroy many sectors , a flood of cheap imports would render them unable to compete. It will also mean no country has any need to do a FTA.
At that point if she really cared about the UK she’d tell the ERG and DUP nutjobs to either accept that or she’ll revoke Article 50 and resign .
It’s astonishing that the country is being held hostage by a at Max a 100 MPs out of 650.
Ip
I hope that next week the HOC gets their act together and takes no deal off the table
That would focus minds
I don't think she has to take ND off the table. She would never go there, so it is effectively off the table already.
I agree that the point will come very soon when she can frankly and bluntly say as you propose - 'My Deal, or Revoke. You choose.'
I am afraid those who think No Deal is off the table are sorely mistaken. No Deal is still what happens if Parliament cannot agree and pass a way forward that is acceptable to the EU. Until that happens No Deal remains the most likely outcome.
I don't think she has to take ND off the table. She would never go there, so it is effectively off the table already.
I agree that the point will come very soon when she can frankly and bluntly say as you propose - 'My Deal, or Revoke. You choose.'
I agree that she will not allow No Deal. I have wobbled a bit on this but I am pretty sure now.
However, I think her ultimate backstop if this parliament just refuses to play ball is not Revoke but get a new parliament - i.e. General Election.
Given her performance so far, she will simply ask for an extension, say she is going to Brussels to negotiate a new WA, and keep that can heading down the road for another three months.
Probably a number of posters on here will disagree with the following but, it is actually what I think is happening. I have done my best to follow or at least try to follow the actions of T.May over the last few months, She has offered to the HoC a WA which she and her advisers knew, had no chance whatsoever of gaining approval, she knew 100% in December and 100% in January. Since then, from all reports I can glean she has moved towards modifying it by zero amount but with lots of flourishes added. So, without any massive changes, she is not going to shift the majority of that revolt of 230 MP’s as in the first vote. She also knows that the EU, according to Junkers et al, are not prepared to move on the agreed WA/Backstop. Unless there are some considerable changes to May’s offer, and I don’t mean fiddling with the edges, the next effort should give a similar resounding defeat for her. Why is she doing this? I don’t believe an intelligent woman who is surrounded by some, shall we say, inadvised MP’s, but also some highly respected MP’s and legal advisers, would travel in this direction without an agenda which is the ultimate target for her. I don’t now believe her target is to remain in the EU or even be conjoined to most if any of the major aspects of the EU. She must be aware of the feelings in the country and the inevitable resultant backlash in the event of not leaving or, delaying the EU exit. She and the Conservative party are going to loose so much if she does that. She has to reach her target by upsetting as few people, primarily us, to the extent that Corbyn does not have the opportunity of forming a government. She has to allow MP’s, Remainers, to keep hope of being able to foil us leaving in March, it keeps up her appearance of being a very stubborn woman, mainly to Brexiters, which keeps almost everyone on opposing sides at loggerheads and, most importantly, running down the clock. It may be she is playing a blinder and steering us towards a no deal Brexit on the 29th March this year. I hope I am right for many people’s sake and hope some contributors on here possibly agree with me because if I am right, Independence Day is the 29th March 2019.
We tend to be gloomy about all this, but on a cheerful note I turned 69 today and I've really NEVER found a more interesting time to follow politics. Interesting in the Chinese curse sense, maybe. But fascinating too, isn't it?
That's an excellent chart, I was planning to do something similar but it's a lot of work. Obviously the probabilities are just guesses, but it's easy to tweak them if you disagree.
At that point if she really cared about the UK she’d tell the ERG and DUP nutjobs to either accept that or she’ll revoke Article 50 and resign .
It’s astonishing that the country is being held hostage by a at Max a 100 MPs out of 650.
Ip
I hope that next week the HOC gets their act together and takes no deal off the table
That would focus minds
I don't think she has to take ND off the table. She would never go there, so it is effectively off the table already.
I agree that the point will come very soon when she can frankly and bluntly say as you propose - 'My Deal, or Revoke. You choose.'
I am afraid those who think No Deal is off the table are sorely mistaken. No Deal is still what happens if Parliament cannot agree and pass a way forward that is acceptable to the EU. Until that happens No Deal remains the most likely outcome.
You think she would do it, Richard? I know the mechanics take us into it if nobody does anything, but she has the power to stop it with a Revoke letter.
Parliament has the power to stop it by agreeing her Deal, subject possibly to some assistance from the EU in the form of relaxing the deadline.
Personally I dont think she would allow No Deal. She might leave it to the last minute, but at the end of the day, if nobody else blinks, I think she will.
We tend to be gloomy about all this, but on a cheerful note I turned 69 today and I've really NEVER found a more interesting time to follow politics. Interesting in the Chinese curse sense, maybe. But fascinating too, isn't it?
Congratulations Nick, may you have a very happy birthday!
We can add "Taken" to the method acted/directed movie list... (Includes Lolita and American Beauty...)
It is just like something out of a Liam Neeson film, isn't it!
Sometimes people in their desire to appear courageously 'unPC' end up oversharing and I think this could be what has happened here. It's a form of virtue-signalling.
An example that I particularly remember was Toby Young revealing how he liked to wank over pictures of starving African children.
Now, OK, we all do it, but is there a need to go public with that? Not sure there is.
We tend to be gloomy about all this, but on a cheerful note I turned 69 today and I've really NEVER found a more interesting time to follow politics. Interesting in the Chinese curse sense, maybe. But fascinating too, isn't it?
Happy Birthday, Nick!
I don't really share your cheer, though. It's fascinating in the sense that reading about the disintegration of civil society in France in 1940 is fascinating. I'd rather read about that kind of disaster in history books than live through it.
Over the next month, a lot of lambs will be born in the UK, 70% normally are exported to the EU. 35% tarrif if no deal, I believe.
I am not advocating No Deal but the lamb trade is a poor example to use. In year to November 2018 we exported 73,860 tonnes of lamb but we imported 70,416 tonnes.
Over the next month, a lot of lambs will be born in the UK, 70% normally are exported to the EU. 35% tarrif if no deal, I believe.
I am not advocating No Deal but the lamb trade is a poor example to use. In year to November 2018 we exported 73,860 tonnes of lamb but we imported 70,416 tonnes.
I am sure that we can scoff them, the point that I was making is that it is difficult to sign off contracts in the current Brexit vacuum.
We tend to be gloomy about all this, but on a cheerful note I turned 69 today and I've really NEVER found a more interesting time to follow politics. Interesting in the Chinese curse sense, maybe. But fascinating too, isn't it?
Oh absolutely: once one learns to stop worrying about things one cannot possibly influence and to embrace, even welcome, the insanity of it all then it makes for quite an engaging spectator sport. And it's certainly unpredictable: in my (very limited) history of gambling I've actually had more luck backing horses, and even football teams, than I have done trying to guess what on Earth will happen with politics.
Over the next month, a lot of lambs will be born in the UK, 70% normally are exported to the EU. 35% tarrif if no deal, I believe.
I am not advocating No Deal but the lamb trade is a poor example to use. In year to November 2018 we exported 73,860 tonnes of lamb but we imported 70,416 tonnes.
That's a naive view. First there is the seasonality difference (we export when meat is ready in the UK and import more at other times of year), and secondly there are big differences in the cuts of meat/offal imported and exported.
We tend to be gloomy about all this, but on a cheerful note I turned 69 today and I've really NEVER found a more interesting time to follow politics. Interesting in the Chinese curse sense, maybe. But fascinating too, isn't it?
The latest lunacy is to remove all tariffs in the event of no deal .
This would overnight destroy many sectors , a flood of cheap imports would render them unable to compete. It will also mean no country has any need to do a FTA.
Abolishing the corn laws will be a great result if it happens.
We tend to be gloomy about all this, but on a cheerful note I turned 69 today and I've really NEVER found a more interesting time to follow politics. Interesting in the Chinese curse sense, maybe. But fascinating too, isn't it?
At that point if she really cared about the UK she’d tell the ERG and DUP nutjobs to either accept that or she’ll revoke Article 50 and resign .
It’s astonishing that the country is being held hostage by a at Max a 100 MPs out of 650.
Ip
I hope that next week the HOC gets their act together and takes no deal off the table
That would focus minds
I don't think she has to take ND off the table. She would never go there, so it is effectively off the table already.
I agree that the point will come very soon when she can frankly and bluntly say as you propose - 'My Deal, or Revoke. You choose.'
I am afraid those who think No Deal is off the table are sorely mistaken. No Deal is still what happens if Parliament cannot agree and pass a way forward that is acceptable to the EU. Until that happens No Deal remains the most likely outcome.
You think she would do it, Richard? I know the mechanics take us into it if nobody does anything, but she has the power to stop it with a Revoke letter.
Parliament has the power to stop it by agreeing her Deal, subject possibly to some assistance from the EU in the form of relaxing the deadline.
Personally I dont think she would allow No Deal. She might leave it to the last minute, but at the end of the day, if nobody else blinks, I think she will.
You don't agree?
Is May Varoufakis or is she Tsipras? In other words, is her threat of No Deal real or will she cave in at the death?
We tend to be gloomy about all this, but on a cheerful note I turned 69 today and I've really NEVER found a more interesting time to follow politics. Interesting in the Chinese curse sense, maybe. But fascinating too, isn't it?
Definitely! I am 'luving' it. Will be sorry when the deal finally gets passed. And HB!
Liam Neeson! I honestly don't know what to say. Except what a good job he didn't actually slay any black men. That would have been hard to bounce back from.
We can add "Taken" to the method acted/directed movie list... (Includes Lolita and American Beauty...)
The latest lunacy is to remove all tariffs in the event of no deal .
This would overnight destroy many sectors , a flood of cheap imports would render them unable to compete. It will also mean no country has any need to do a FTA.
Abolishing the Porn laws will be a great result if it happens.
At that point if she really cared about the UK she’d tell the ERG and DUP nutjobs to either accept that or she’ll revoke Article 50 and resign .
It’s astonishing that the country is being held hostage by a at Max a 100 MPs out of 650.
Ip
I hope that next week the HOC gets their act together and takes no deal off the table
That would focus minds
I don't think she has to take ND off the table. She would never go there, so it is effectively off the table already.
I agree that the point will come very soon when she can frankly and bluntly say as you propose - 'My Deal, or Revoke. You choose.'
I am afraid those who think No Deal is off the table are sorely mistaken. No Deal is still what happens if Parliament cannot agree and pass a way forward that is acceptable to the EU. Until that happens No Deal remains the most likely outcome.
You think she would do it, Richard? I know the mechanics take us into it if nobody does anything, but she has the power to stop it with a Revoke letter.
Parliament has the power to stop it by agreeing her Deal, subject possibly to some assistance from the EU in the form of relaxing the deadline.
Personally I dont think she would allow No Deal. She might leave it to the last minute, but at the end of the day, if nobody else blinks, I think she will.
You don't agree?
Yes I think she will. The one thing I think she will not do under any circumstances is revoke. I think she is too stubborn for that.
At that point if she really cared about the UK she’d tell the ERG and DUP nutjobs to either accept that or she’ll revoke Article 50 and resign .
It’s astonishing that the country is being held hostage by a at Max a 100 MPs out of 650.
Ip
I hope that next week the HOC gets their act together and takes no deal off the table
That would focus minds
I don't think she has to take ND off the table. She would never go there, so it is effectively off the table already.
I agree that the point will come very soon when she can frankly and bluntly say as you propose - 'My Deal, or Revoke. You choose.'
I am afraid those who think No Deal is off the table are sorely mistaken. No Deal is still what happens if Parliament cannot agree and pass a way forward that is acceptable to the EU. Until that happens No Deal remains the most likely outcome.
You think she would do it, Richard? I know the mechanics take us into it if nobody does anything, but she has the power to stop it with a Revoke letter.
Parliament has the power to stop it by agreeing her Deal, subject possibly to some assistance from the EU in the form of relaxing the deadline.
Personally I dont think she would allow No Deal. She might leave it to the last minute, but at the end of the day, if nobody else blinks, I think she will.
You don't agree?
Is May Varoufakis or is she Tsipras? In other words, is her threat of No Deal real or will she cave in at the death?
If she 'does a Tsipras' we end up remaining.
Given Tsipras is still in the big chair, and Varoufakis ain't, I think we could guess which one she will be motivated to emulate.
At that point if she really cared about the UK she’d tell the ERG and DUP nutjobs to either accept that or she’ll revoke Article 50 and resign .
It’s astonishing that the country is being held hostage by a at Max a 100 MPs out of 650.
Ip
I hope that next week the HOC gets their act together and takes no deal off the table
That would focus minds
I don't think she has to take ND off the table. She would never go there, so it is effectively off the table already.
I agree that the point will come very soon when she can frankly and bluntly say as you propose - 'My Deal, or Revoke. You choose.'
I am afraid those who think No Deal is off the table are sorely mistaken. No Deal is still what happens if Parliament cannot agree and pass a way forward that is acceptable to the EU. Until that happens No Deal remains the most likely outcome.
You think she would do it, Richard? I know the mechanics take us into it if nobody does anything, but she has the power to stop it with a Revoke letter.
Parliament has the power to stop it by agreeing her Deal, subject possibly to some assistance from the EU in the form of relaxing the deadline.
Personally I dont think she would allow No Deal. She might leave it to the last minute, but at the end of the day, if nobody else blinks, I think she will.
You don't agree?
Yes I think she will. The one thing I think she will not do under any circumstances is revoke. I think she is too stubborn for that.
Which is why it’s either a deal or no deal. And with the original deal as dead as a dodo, if the EU aren’t prepared to move towards her on the deal we could well be leaving without one.
We tend to be gloomy about all this, but on a cheerful note I turned 69 today and I've really NEVER found a more interesting time to follow politics. Interesting in the Chinese curse sense, maybe. But fascinating too, isn't it?
Interesting, but so far not good! - Just hope things take a turn for the better soon.
Have always understood that "May you live in interesting tImes " was a blessing on the new born.
I think No Deal is increasingly likely on March 29th. It is the default, and no one should overestimate the competence of our MPs.
Perhaps I am being complacent but I simply cannot see a mature stable democracy such as ours deciding to move overnight from frictionless trade with our biggest market to bog basic WTO terms. And this is not to even mention the many & varied other issues, such as the Irish border, citizens rights, transport, security, etc etc.
I still think (just) that the deal will get through - but if it doesn't IMO it will be article 50 extension for a general election.
I know this is a controversial view, but the clean break with the EU ecosystem that is no deal, represents the best chance of increasing trade with the growth markets in Asia. In the medium term (5-10 years) it will almost certainly be advantageous, as compared to still discussing a trade agreement with the EU while trapped in their CU backstop.
The political questions are: can we mitigate sufficiently the short term impact of leaving with no deal, to realise the gains on the other side; and do we have sufficient dynamics in government and business to be able to take full advantage of the opportunity?
The closest parallel is probably when we left the ERM in 1992 - it was with hindsight very good economically in the medium term, but disastrous politically for the government of the day to have lost control of events.
What prevents us from trading successfully with S Korea as a member of the EU? Especially since we have a FTA with S Korea via the EU (since 2015) unlike Mr Liam "40 trade deals by Brexit" Fox.... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-46917999
We tend to be gloomy about all this, but on a cheerful note I turned 69 today and I've really NEVER found a more interesting time to follow politics. Interesting in the Chinese curse sense, maybe. But fascinating too, isn't it?
Yes, but it's also annoying. It poses challenges in the sense it is a series of unfortunate events which must be navigated successfully and if possible overcome. So in the sense of keeping one's life muscles in, it is good practice. But it isn't a movie, it's IRL, and it will affect us, some badly. So in that sense, no. A tsunami looks different on the TV screen to those in its path.
But having said that, happy birthday. 69 eh? Had anybody made the obvious joke yet?...
Probably a number of posters on here will disagree with the following but, it is actually what I think is happening. I hope I am right for many people’s sake and hope some contributors on here possibly agree with me because if I am right, Independence Day is the 29th March 2019.
Apologies for snipping most of your contribution but if you want someone to disagree with you, you've found him and, for your information, I voted LEAVE.
There will be nothing to celebrate on 29/3/19 whether we leave with a Deal or not. The decision to LEAVE is an admission of failure, of our failure and the EU's failure as well.
60 years of history and political direction weren't erased in a single night or by a single referendum. It was a long process withy many levels and factors.
Our half-hearted, mean-spirited, rebate obsessed, opt-out driven travesty of a membership was a disaster both of us and from the EU. The only two coherent positions were all in or all out - instead, like the diner, we spent less time enjoying the food and more time wondering who was going to pay the bill.
Yet the EU are far from blameless - the EEC, a community of nations bound by free trades, the EEC which aimed to bring forward the more economically backward and impoverished regions and help them, that was an organisation I could support.
Yet the EU is the EU of the pernicious mechanism which is the Single Market which worships economic growth on the altar of cheap labour as more and more people are drawn like moths to the flame of the richer areas leaving so many areas behind.
It's a mess - no two ways about it. Could it have been prevented? With political will on both sides, yes, but it was so much easier to get cheap votes defending the shape of bananas.
The closest parallel is probably when we left the ERM in 1992 - it was with hindsight very good economically in the medium term, but disastrous politically for the government of the day to have lost control of events.
What parallel do you see in terms of the practical impact of No Deal versus leaving the ERM?
Hello, first post. A refugee from Order-Order. The site is a joke, too many weirdos and nasty people abound.
Welcome. I hope we've less weirdos and nasties.
Thank you OKC. Read this blog for ages and decided, to be honest, far more interesting and sociable. The language on OrderOrder is disgraceful and I consider myself a man of the world.
Welcome to PB - It is virtually my first place for news these days. And such varied opinions
Cheers Big G. Where about in North Wales, I know it well, at least every inch of the A55
Llandudno, the Queen of Welsh resorts
I've been there by train, and I've done the Great Orme Tramway!
Yet the EU are far from blameless - the EEC, a community of nations bound by free trades, the EEC which aimed to bring forward the more economically backward and impoverished regions and help them, that was an organisation I could support.
Yet the EU is the EU of the pernicious mechanism which is the Single Market which worships economic growth on the altar of cheap labour as more and more people are drawn like moths to the flame of the richer areas leaving so many areas behind.
This is hysterical nonsense. The EEC always had free movement from its founding with the Treaty of Rome. As far as I can make out, if you object to anything concrete it's really the eastern expansion of the EU.
At that point if she really cared about the UK she’d tell the ERG and DUP nutjobs to either accept that or she’ll revoke Article 50 and resign .
It’s astonishing that the country is being held hostage by a at Max a 100 MPs out of 650.
Ip
I hope that next week the HOC gets their act together and takes no deal off the table
That would focus minds
I don't think she has to take ND off the table. She would never go there, so it is effectively off the table already.
I agree that the point will come very soon when she can frankly and bluntly say as you propose - 'My Deal, or Revoke. You choose.'
I am afraid those who think No Deal is off the table are sorely mistaken. No Deal is still what happens if Parliament cannot agree and pass a way forward that is acceptable to the EU. Until that happens No Deal remains the most likely outcome.
You think she would do it, Richard? I know the mechanics take us into it if nobody does anything, but she has the power to stop it with a Revoke letter.
Parliament has the power to stop it by agreeing her Deal, subject possibly to some assistance from the EU in the form of relaxing the deadline.
Personally I dont think she would allow No Deal. She might leave it to the last minute, but at the end of the day, if nobody else blinks, I think she will.
You don't agree?
Is May Varoufakis or is she Tsipras? In other words, is her threat of No Deal real or will she cave in at the death?
Comments
On the plus side, I learnt the mingke[sp] whale is the only other animal that menstruates, lending credence to the aquatic ape theory.
And that women collectively overestimate how many of them suffer PMS (via reported suffering compared to diaries they wrote themselves). Obviously pointing this out is not for the faint of heart.
What chance there’s way more to the actual story than the Grauniad are reporting?
It derives, of course, from the Latin historia. Which is a feminine noun.
Make of that what you will!
As far as I can see she was trying to smooth over waters but of course trying to explain to business why the backstop they had endorsed was now persona non grata was never a win situation.
I am frustrated with the whole process and I am hoping the HOC will put direction into it next week and TM must then get on with it
I cannot see anything but an extension now and with a move towards Norway but if that is the case we should just remain. In those circumstances TM would have to resign
For now I am hoping she breaks through but boy, is it frustrating
At that point if she really cared about the UK she’d tell the ERG and DUP nutjobs to either accept that or she’ll revoke Article 50 and resign .
It’s astonishing that the country is being held hostage by a at Max a 100 MPs out of 650.
Ip
And, from family experience, the South Koreans are a touchy lot when it comes to standards and rules.
That would focus minds
Much more likely he was drunk and making a nuisance of himself.
The country is being held hostage by several hundred Remainers who won't accept the result of the Referendum. The ERG are a sideshow.
https://twitter.com/faisalislam/status/1092721982876147714?s=21
There is no doubt the far east is the future for trade as the EU struggles as per the report today in the decline of Germany as it loses out across the board to China
Not that I want a no deal, not under any circumstances
I agree that the point will come very soon when she can frankly and bluntly say as you propose - 'My Deal, or Revoke. You choose.'
https://twitter.com/europeelects/status/1092826591435128833?s=21
My less politically correct creation Sir Edric occasionally (when people use idiotic terms like mansplaining) refers to femsterical people, or ovary-acting.
This bizarre idea that (in everyday discourse) gender-based insults are a good thing is baffling to me. For comedians and the like, it's a different kettle of monkeys.
EDIT; Sorting predictive text!
I suspect ERG would be delighted with My Deal or Revoke. They would vote down her deal and then spend five years screaming democratic betrayal, and Farage can start his new party.
"That's nothing, I've worn Liverpool shirts in Manchester."
You mad fool.
A few years ago, I wore my Boston United replica shirt on a night out in Liverpool. On the piss-heads' train back (the last one) to Manchester Victoria (I get off at Rainhill), I got talking to a couple of Mancs who asked about the shirt. All very amiable until the Scousers' ears pricked up.
When the men mentioned they were United fans, there was a sudden hush and a half dozen large and drunk gentlemen took a sudden interest. I did my boy-scout act by doing my best to protect them (Boston fans are a curiosity not a problem). I manged to keep them safe until the couple got off quickly at Huyton, where I suspect they called a taxi to go home.
The question is if the Deal is defeated again but the Commons backs permanent Customs Union with Single Market elements on a similar margin to its rejection of No Deal would May accept that or there be a confrontation between the executive and legislature?
https://www.wahlrecht.de/umfragen/
The political questions are: can we mitigate sufficiently the short term impact of leaving with no deal, to realise the gains on the other side; and do we have sufficient dynamics in government and business to be able to take full advantage of the opportunity?
The closest parallel is probably when we left the ERM in 1992 - it was with hindsight very good economically in the medium term, but disastrous politically for the government of the day to have lost control of events.
This would overnight destroy many sectors , a flood of cheap imports would render them unable to compete. It will also mean no country has any need to do a FTA.
However, I think her ultimate backstop if this parliament just refuses to play ball is not Revoke but get a new parliament - i.e. General Election.
I have done my best to follow or at least try to follow the actions of T.May over the last few months, She has offered to the HoC a WA which she and her advisers knew, had no chance whatsoever of gaining approval, she knew 100% in December and 100% in January. Since then, from all reports I can glean she has moved towards modifying it by zero amount but with lots of flourishes added. So, without any massive changes, she is not going to shift the majority of that revolt of 230 MP’s as in the first vote. She also knows that the EU, according to Junkers et al, are not prepared to move on the agreed WA/Backstop. Unless there are some considerable changes to May’s offer, and I don’t mean fiddling with the edges, the next effort should give a similar resounding defeat for her.
Why is she doing this?
I don’t believe an intelligent woman who is surrounded by some, shall we say, inadvised MP’s, but also some highly respected MP’s and legal advisers, would travel in this direction without an agenda which is the ultimate target for her. I don’t now believe her target is to remain in the EU or even be conjoined to most if any of the major aspects of the EU. She must be aware of the feelings in the country and the inevitable resultant backlash in the event of not leaving or, delaying the EU exit. She and the Conservative party are going to loose so much if she does that.
She has to reach her target by upsetting as few people, primarily us, to the extent that Corbyn does not have the opportunity of forming a government. She has to allow MP’s, Remainers, to keep hope of being able to foil us leaving in March, it keeps up her appearance of being a very stubborn woman, mainly to Brexiters, which keeps almost everyone on opposing sides at loggerheads and, most importantly, running down the clock.
It may be she is playing a blinder and steering us towards a no deal Brexit on the 29th March this year.
I hope I am right for many people’s sake and hope some contributors on here possibly agree with me because if I am right, Independence Day is the 29th March 2019.
Parliament has the power to stop it by agreeing her Deal, subject possibly to some assistance from the EU in the form of relaxing the deadline.
Personally I dont think she would allow No Deal. She might leave it to the last minute, but at the end of the day, if nobody else blinks, I think she will.
You don't agree?
Sometimes people in their desire to appear courageously 'unPC' end up oversharing and I think this could be what has happened here. It's a form of virtue-signalling.
An example that I particularly remember was Toby Young revealing how he liked to wank over pictures of starving African children.
Now, OK, we all do it, but is there a need to go public with that? Not sure there is.
I don't really share your cheer, though. It's fascinating in the sense that reading about the disintegration of civil society in France in 1940 is fascinating. I'd rather read about that kind of disaster in history books than live through it.
In 20 years, you'll still be younger than Enrico Dandolo when he masterminded the conquest of Constantinople.
(Edit: Oh, and congrats for the birthday!)
https://projectblue.blob.core.windows.net/media/Default/Imported Publication Docs/BLBitesize_190201_WEB.pdf
I think Tory MPs would prefer the devil to the deep blue sea.
If she 'does a Tsipras' we end up remaining.
I'm sure she'll appreciate that.
Have always understood that "May you live in interesting tImes " was a blessing on the new born.
Happy Birthday Nick
- Nein, nein, nein.
- We've got them on the run!
I still think (just) that the deal will get through - but if it doesn't IMO it will be article 50 extension for a general election.
But having said that, happy birthday. 69 eh? Had anybody made the obvious joke yet?...
There will be nothing to celebrate on 29/3/19 whether we leave with a Deal or not. The decision to LEAVE is an admission of failure, of our failure and the EU's failure as well.
60 years of history and political direction weren't erased in a single night or by a single referendum. It was a long process withy many levels and factors.
Our half-hearted, mean-spirited, rebate obsessed, opt-out driven travesty of a membership was a disaster both of us and from the EU. The only two coherent positions were all in or all out - instead, like the diner, we spent less time enjoying the food and more time wondering who was going to pay the bill.
Yet the EU are far from blameless - the EEC, a community of nations bound by free trades, the EEC which aimed to bring forward the more economically backward and impoverished regions and help them, that was an organisation I could support.
Yet the EU is the EU of the pernicious mechanism which is the Single Market which worships economic growth on the altar of cheap labour as more and more people are drawn like moths to the flame of the richer areas leaving so many areas behind.
It's a mess - no two ways about it. Could it have been prevented? With political will on both sides, yes, but it was so much easier to get cheap votes defending the shape of bananas.