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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » TIGgers can reshape politics – but not as a collective of lone

SystemSystem Posts: 11,019
edited February 2019 in General

imagepoliticalbetting.com » Blog Archive » TIGgers can reshape politics – but not as a collective of lone wolves

Extinction is the usual fate of most political splits. Whether by political defeat or by a subsequent merger into a pre-existing party, any MP resigning from his or her party and not defecting directly to another one usually finds their subsequent career to be one of struggle, isolation and defeat.

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    Great photo.
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    MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 50,114
    edited February 2019
    "These sort of attacks will continue because, in Game of Thrones style, the two are challenging for much the same space and much the same voters and in such circumstances, you win or you die."

    The TIGs will die. They don't have dragons on their side.
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    kle4kle4 Posts: 91,725
    Talk of ‘a different kind of politics’ is all very well but there’s a reason that parties exist as they do, and that’s because they’re effective

    Yep. On its own it means very little. I don't see how they build their own, there's so little that binds them. The four points you make which signal some of the advantages they might have are true, but honestly it seems like the best they can hope for is to influence the main parties who fear more defections (this might happen with Labour already), which pretty much evaporates the big reasons the defected in the first place (sadly voters and certainly most MPs do not care about the anti-semitism stuff) and gives them a short shelf life.
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    kle4kle4 Posts: 91,725
    edited February 2019

    Great photo.

    I do like the different approaches taken by various SNP (and some Labour?) MPs to knowing they will be in the shot taken of the Tiggers.
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    MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 50,114
    That shot will be remembered as their high point. Before the Tory Scum arrived!
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    kle4kle4 Posts: 91,725

    "These sort of attacks will continue because, in Game of Thrones style, the two are challenging for much the same space and much the same voters and in such circumstances, you win or you die."

    The TIGs will die. They don't have dragons on their side.

    I'm also skeptical of how much they want to 'win' on anything other than Brexit. They are still Labour/Tory in their hearts, for most of them at any rate. Sure, they've quit their tribe, which is brave and bold, and has freed them up to let loose with the complaints they've long held. But when they emphasise how much the party left them not vice versa, it rather seems like deep down they don't have the will to even want to win this fight. They want their old parties to change back. Even if they don't go back one day, that is a millstone around the neck of truly replacing them, which is a monumental enough task as it is.
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    kle4kle4 Posts: 91,725
    Scott_P said:
    Leaving is not impossible, that's one of your stupidest tweet postings which, in the absence of any commentary, you implicitly support, and there is no shortage of competition for that title.
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    EssexitEssexit Posts: 1,956
    A good thread header David, thanks.

    Centre parties certainly are the kind of thing that sound better in the abstract than the reality. I suspect once the TIGgers form a party and some policies, it'll become clear to the electorate that they're a Blairite tribute act. The novelty and the lack of the tainted Lib Dem brand will probably get them into the low teens in the opinion polls, mind.
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    kle4kle4 Posts: 91,725

    Labour has always been an alliance of social democrats, methodists and democratic socialists. That’s why the far left always hated it. Now that the far left has been let in and has taken control there is no room for the social democratic or methodist elements. Some will leave, as the TIGs have done, others will be deselected. Some will hold out because their CLPs have not been infiltrated. The future will be determined by what happens when Corbyn steps down some time after Labour loses the next general election. At that point we’ll find out how much of his support was ideological and how much was personal. If someone from the softer left takes over, Labour will probably stay together; if the far left consolidates its hold, then the game will be up.

    How on earth can you think that the game is not already up?
    Because the game isn't already up. Corbyn is a passing note in a history book. As Blair was.
    Given your commitment to a single party as the only vehicle for acceptable politics even if it is going through a rough patch, I rather wonder how you'd have reacted when Labour first emerged on the scene. Probably with a lot of hostility.
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    Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    kle4 said:

    Leaving is not impossible

    Leaving on the terms of the campaign is, which is what the Tweet says if you read it
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    kle4kle4 Posts: 91,725
    Scott_P said:
    I have been amazed how much of a tribalist Corbyn fangirl she turned out to be.
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    Underlying things is 'people like us, not people like them'.

    And as the number of splitters increase or their proposed policies are suggested the number of potential 'people like us' is reduced.

    Which is why Ian Austin has become the Popular Front of Judea.

    If he could join with Frank Field and add John Mann they could become the Judean People's Front.
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    Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    Essexit said:

    Centre parties certainly are the kind of thing that sound better in the abstract than the reality. I suspect once the TIGgers form a party and some policies, it'll become clear to the electorate that they're a Blairite tribute act.

    c.f. the "debate" on newsnight last night. None of the three advocates were TIG fans, but they all talked about campaigning on "values"

    It's when you try and translate "values" like 'we hate immigrants' into policies like "let's leave the EU" they all come unstuck
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    kle4kle4 Posts: 91,725
    Scott_P said:

    kle4 said:

    Leaving is not impossible

    Leaving on the terms of the campaign is, which is what the Tweet says if you read it
    I did, thank you, but since you definitely want us to remain your point is always 'Leave as promised is possible therefore we must remain' rather than accept that other leaves are possible. Don't insult me and suggest that is not the calculation you make every single time, and which is the implication of the opinions you joyfully circulate. I was inferring what your position was from the tweets you salivate over. Nothing was ever going to satisfy you, so the promised leave being impossible is a very very stupid point for you to make since you don't care about that, as your answer would have been the same even if it had been possible. We know this from when people talk about how the best deal of all is the one we have and remaining. So getting huffy about it is just laughable, an absolute joke. Own the position you have.
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    Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    kle4 said:

    I have been amazed how much of a tribalist Corbyn fangirl she turned out to be.

    With hindsight it should be obvious that tribalist Corbyn fangirl is the only reason she got the gig, and the reward
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    Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    kle4 said:

    accept that other leaves are possible.

    Please describe just one of these other possible Leaves?

    Go on. We'll wait...
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    kle4kle4 Posts: 91,725

    Underlying things is 'people like us, not people like them'.

    And as the number of splitters increase or their proposed policies are suggested the number of potential 'people like us' is reduced.

    Which is why Ian Austin has become the Popular Front of Judea.

    If he could join with Frank Field and add John Mann they could become the Judean People's Front.

    Perhaps if Brexit occurs the Tiggers and other independent groups can combine and see if they can agree on yet more, but it is not promising. They've given us a fantastically exciting week of defections, which will surely influence the main parties who have taken a hit from this, but I cannot help but be sad that I don't think they have anywhere further to go. How many more will come over? Can they believe anything other than stopping Brexit? I'd like to think so, but I just do not see it.
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    kle4kle4 Posts: 91,725
    edited February 2019
    Scott_P said:

    kle4 said:

    accept that other leaves are possible.

    Please describe just one of these other possible Leaves?

    Go on. We'll wait...
    Are you genuinely mad? There are any number of potential leave options, that's one reason things have been so difficult between Norway+, Corbyn's Brexit, single market membership, May's deal etc etc. What I am saying is people who emphasise the the promises of Leave cannot be met usually immediately jump to saying remain must happen, which completely gives the game away that they are totally unreasonable as even if perfect Brexit is not possible many Brexits were. Are they now? Certainly not very realistically for some, but there are still ones on the table.

    And you pose a question as though there are no other leaves? You've completely lost it Scott.

    Seriously, I cannot quite get over what you think you were asking with that post. I'll point out that we both used the word 'possible'. And you seem to think I'll have difficult thinking of a single 'possible' leave, not even probable? Hilarious stuff.

    Edit: By the way the 'mad' thing is a bit overdone, and I hope is taken as banter and not a suggestion of actual issues which would be most unwarranted.
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    felixfelix Posts: 15,124
    FPT: The Leave project might just be in its death throes over the next few weeks. If so my mind drifts back to the campaign in 2016 when I and many, many others were shot down and derided for daring to query exactly what kind of Brexit the Leave campaign was looking for. 'That's down to the government of the day they said and nothing to do with us'. It's kinda funny looking back now to think how that strategy has punned out for them, if as seems highly likely we endu with either the crappiest clusterfu** of an exit in history ...or revoke and remain. Meanwhile here in southern Spain lawyers and insurance companies are raking it in as 'expats in their thousands are scrambling to obtain residence cards, driving licences and health insurance! Form the perspective of probity, 'doing the right thing' , etc it's one of the few positives of the whole experience. :)
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    algarkirkalgarkirk Posts: 10,526
    I think they have a big difficulty by assuming that the centre ground is Remain, as anti-Brexit is their consistent theme. Unless it is understood that there are millions of moderate centrist Brexit voters and supporters you will miss the real difficulty. Brexit divides moderate democrats. This is one of the reasons why TMs deal is essential for the future.
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    kle4kle4 Posts: 91,725
    algarkirk said:

    This is one of the reasons why TMs deal is essential for the future.

    We're screwed.

    Time for a break from weighty issues, to turn off the brain, and go watch a Liam Neeson movie. Laters.
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    Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    kle4 said:

    Are you genuinely mad? There are any number of potential leave options, that's one reason things have been so difficult between Norway+, Corbyn's Brexit, single market membership, May's deal etc etc.

    Except none of those are possible. That's the whole point.

    None of them has sufficient support in any quarter to be delivered. If you can't do it, it's not possible.

    The closest to being actually deliverable is May's deal, which everybody hates. If 200 MPs change their minds this week, then I will have been wrong
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    EssexitEssexit Posts: 1,956
    kle4 said:

    Scott_P said:

    kle4 said:

    accept that other leaves are possible.

    Please describe just one of these other possible Leaves?

    Go on. We'll wait...
    Are you genuinely mad? There are any number of potential leave options, that's one reason things have been so difficult between Norway+, Corbyn's Brexit, single market membership, May's deal etc etc. What I am saying is people who emphasise the the promises of Leave cannot be met usually immediately jump to saying remain must happen, which completely gives the game away that they are totally unreasonable as even if perfect Brexit is not possible many Brexits were. Are they now? Certainly not very realistically for some, but there are still ones on the table.

    And you pose a question as though there are no other leaves? You've completely lost it Scott.

    Seriously, I cannot quite get over what you think you were asking with that post. I'll point out that we both used the word 'possible'. And you seem to think I'll have difficult thinking of a single 'possible' leave, not even probable? Hilarious stuff.

    Edit: By the way the 'mad' thing is a bit overdone, and I hope is taken as banter and not a suggestion of actual issues which would be most unwarranted.
    A heroic effort but there's very little point engaging with Scott.
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    Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    Essexit said:

    there's very little point engaging

    And that's been the problem with Brexit all along.

    None of the cheerleaders were ever interested in engaging with the gritty reality.

    And here we are...
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    IanB2IanB2 Posts: 47,274
    The lead is a statement of the obvious, but well written for all that. Chuka definitely knows it and shares the vision, even if his skills fall short. Others like Gapes clearly don't, never imagining he would find himself in a centre party asked to consider political reform.

    Just like Brexit, in the modern era few are willing to accept that things take time.
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    If it's No Deal they can flip half of parliament, take over the government and watch Lab and Con smash themselves into little bits.

    If not, not so much.
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    kle4 said:

    Underlying things is 'people like us, not people like them'.

    And as the number of splitters increase or their proposed policies are suggested the number of potential 'people like us' is reduced.

    Which is why Ian Austin has become the Popular Front of Judea.

    If he could join with Frank Field and add John Mann they could become the Judean People's Front.

    Perhaps if Brexit occurs the Tiggers and other independent groups can combine and see if they can agree on yet more, but it is not promising. They've given us a fantastically exciting week of defections, which will surely influence the main parties who have taken a hit from this, but I cannot help but be sad that I don't think they have anywhere further to go. How many more will come over? Can they believe anything other than stopping Brexit? I'd like to think so, but I just do not see it.
    They can believe in anything they want but the more things they believe in the more offputting it will be for more and more people.

    And that would be before they had the difficulties of putting any of their beliefs into practice in government.

    We saw how quickly the LibDem beliefs in opposing tuition fees increases and Middle Eastern warmongering disappeared when they were in government.
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    Excitement builds as folk wonder if the audience will creep into 3 figures for Vince's speech.

    https://twitter.com/BBCPhilipSim/status/1099264297413369856
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    Sean_FSean_F Posts: 35,836
    Even if they enjoy a lot of luck, our electoral system will still work against them.
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    CD13CD13 Posts: 6,351
    Future for the TIGs?

    For the three Tories? Negligible if we stay in the EU, because there's little to campaign on. otherwise. At least, the labour ones really, really hate Jezza.
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    IanB2IanB2 Posts: 47,274
    Scott_P said:

    Essexit said:

    there's very little point engaging

    And that's been the problem with Brexit all along.

    None of the cheerleaders were ever interested in engaging with the gritty reality.

    And here we are...
    Because any cheerleader that tried wouldn't have got cheers from the others
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    AnGofAnGof Posts: 28

    kle4 said:

    Underlying things is 'people like us, not people like them'.

    And as the number of splitters increase or their proposed policies are suggested the number of potential 'people like us' is reduced.

    Which is why Ian Austin has become the Popular Front of Judea.

    If he could join with Frank Field and add John Mann they could become the Judean People's Front.

    Perhaps if Brexit occurs the Tiggers and other independent groups can combine and see if they can agree on yet more, but it is not promising. They've given us a fantastically exciting week of defections, which will surely influence the main parties who have taken a hit from this, but I cannot help but be sad that I don't think they have anywhere further to go. How many more will come over? Can they believe anything other than stopping Brexit? I'd like to think so, but I just do not see it.
    They can believe in anything they want but the more things they believe in the more offputting it will be for more and more people.

    And that would be before they had the difficulties of putting any of their beliefs into practice in government.

    We saw how quickly the LibDem beliefs in opposing tuition fees increases and Middle Eastern warmongering disappeared when they were in government.
    If brexit has shown us anything it is that our system of government is no longer fit for purpose and that those that governed us for years are bereft of intellect and idea's. Instead of vainly hoping a new party arises which will magically somehow, despite being composed of the same people we see making a pigs ear of everything, fix all our troubles perhaps instead we should be saying "You know what this is broken" and take a blank piece of paper and start over.

    For example I would quite like to see a directly elected executive so instead of saying things like I really like Labours nhs thoughts, but prefer the conservatives education policies so which shall I vote for instead I could vote for the Education secretary who I felt had the best plan and the Health secretary with the best plan. I would even go further and suggest that when standing for elections these executors should have to have their plans costed so the voter knows how much its going to cost in terms of percent on income tax and that each policy should have stated success criteria which it could be measured against. So you would see things like

    Reduce class sizes to x
    cost 3% on basic rate tax
    success criteria no class to be bigger than x by 20xx and the improvement in pupil performance to be at least z when measured on whatever scale education uses
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    AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    edited February 2019
    Sean_F said:

    Even if they enjoy a lot of luck, our electoral system will still work against them.

    At the moment I would guess they'll end up being less popular than the SDP/Liberal Alliance in the 1980s. The electorate was a lot more pro-Europe at that time for instance because the British economy was in such a mess.
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    felixfelix Posts: 15,124

    Excitement builds as folk wonder if the audience will creep into 3 figures for Vince's speech.

    https://twitter.com/BBCPhilipSim/status/1099264297413369856

    It seems cruel to lol but... However, the Scotories were in the same position not so long ago.
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    NigelbNigelb Posts: 62,577
    kle4 said:

    Scott_P said:

    kle4 said:

    accept that other leaves are possible.

    Please describe just one of these other possible Leaves?

    Go on. We'll wait...
    Are you genuinely mad? There are any number of potential leave options, that's one reason things have been so difficult between Norway+, Corbyn's Brexit, single market membership, May's deal etc etc. What I am saying is people who emphasise the the promises of Leave cannot be met usually immediately jump to saying remain must happen, which completely gives the game away that they are totally unreasonable as even if perfect Brexit is not possible many Brexits were. Are they now? Certainly not very realistically for some, but there are still ones on the table.

    And you pose a question as though there are no other leaves? You've completely lost it Scott.

    Seriously, I cannot quite get over what you think you were asking with that post. I'll point out that we both used the word 'possible'. And you seem to think I'll have difficult thinking of a single 'possible' leave, not even probable? Hilarious stuff.

    Edit: By the way the 'mad' thing is a bit overdone, and I hope is taken as banter and not a suggestion of actual issues which would be most unwarranted.
    Scott’s position is indeed unreasonable, but against that, it is now entirely possible that the Brexit project cannot be successfully concluded. And that a majority of the electorate now reject it anyway - though that is uncertain.

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    Scott_PScott_P Posts: 51,453
    Nigelb said:

    it is now entirely possible that the Brexit project cannot be successfully concluded.

    https://twitter.com/Otto_English/status/1099209895809900544
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    kyf_100kyf_100 Posts: 3,943

    If it's No Deal they can flip half of parliament, take over the government and watch Lab and Con smash themselves into little bits.

    If not, not so much.

    While outside the Westminster bubble it looks like politicians playing their usual games.

    Most people just want Brexit, in some form or another, to be done, so we can all get on with our lives.

    I wouldn't underestimate Brexit fatigue among the general population right now. Viewed through that lens, the TIGgers don't look like something "new" they look like yet another faction of Parliament squabbling over how to implement the result of something we all voted on nearly three years ago now.

    As a barometer, among the people I work with, Shamima Begum has been the only political topic I have heard discussed this week (and it has been, at great length). Nobody has mentioned the TIGgers and Brexit has been mentioned only in passing in a "I wish they'd get on with it" way.

    Outside the Westminster bubble, the TIGgers do not look like something new. They look like more of the same.
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    NigelbNigelb Posts: 62,577
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    FoxyFoxy Posts: 44,599
    AndyJS said:

    Sean_F said:

    Even if they enjoy a lot of luck, our electoral system will still work against them.

    At the moment I would guess they'll end up being less popular than the SDP/Liberal Alliance in the 1980s. The electorate was a lot more pro-Europe at that time for instance because the British economy was in such a mess.
    Not true, indeed anti EEC feeling peaked in the early eighties at the time of the SDP, dropping later as the economy improved and single market came about.

    http://theconversation.com/polling-history-40-years-of-british-views-on-in-or-out-of-europe-61250
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    GardenwalkerGardenwalker Posts: 20,847
    Thoughts on the news this morning.

    1. Jeremy Hunt’s vassal comment in Slovenia was daft, but blame his speechwriter or aides. However, he does come across as having the charisma of a old mop. Lay Hunt, and - sadly - put your money on Javid.

    2. The TIGs are not a flash in the pan. This is the culmination of months if not years of planning. They are well-funded and well-connected, and the polling does show a fatigue with the existing parties. What their strategy is, I cannot tell, but it is foolish to write them off.

    3. Brexit is still most likely to go through, but the odds of Remaining via a referendum have grown a little higher. The TIGs have made it acceptable to advocate for this, John Cryer’s note is significant, as are John McDonnell’s comments. I’d put the chances of a referendum around 25%.

    4. Assuming we do Brexit 29 March, May will be gone within weeks if not days.
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    EssexitEssexit Posts: 1,956
    kyf_100 said:

    If it's No Deal they can flip half of parliament, take over the government and watch Lab and Con smash themselves into little bits.

    If not, not so much.

    While outside the Westminster bubble it looks like politicians playing their usual games.

    Most people just want Brexit, in some form or another, to be done, so we can all get on with our lives.

    I wouldn't underestimate Brexit fatigue among the general population right now. Viewed through that lens, the TIGgers don't look like something "new" they look like yet another faction of Parliament squabbling over how to implement the result of something we all voted on nearly three years ago now.

    As a barometer, among the people I work with, Shamima Begum has been the only political topic I have heard discussed this week (and it has been, at great length). Nobody has mentioned the TIGgers and Brexit has been mentioned only in passing in a "I wish they'd get on with it" way.

    Outside the Westminster bubble, the TIGgers do not look like something new. They look like more of the same.
    Even at my workplace full of people who are quite switched on to party politics (and many of whom are strong Remainers), Shamima Begum generated vastly more conversation this week.
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    NigelbNigelb Posts: 62,577
    Essexit said:

    A good thread header David, thanks.

    Centre parties certainly are the kind of thing that sound better in the abstract than the reality. I suspect once the TIGgers form a party and some policies, it'll become clear to the electorate that they're a Blairite tribute act. The novelty and the lack of the tainted Lib Dem brand will probably get them into the low teens in the opinion polls, mind.

    Too early to tell.
    We don’t know who might join them in the next few weeks - and we don’t know if the next election will be in three months or three years.

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    FoxyFoxy Posts: 44,599

    Thoughts on the news this morning.

    1. Jeremy Hunt’s vassal comment in Slovenia was daft, but blame his speechwriter or aides. However, he does come across as having the charisma of a old mop. Lay Hunt, and - sadly - put your money on Javid.

    2. The TIGs are not a flash in the pan. This is the culmination of months if not years of planning. They are well-funded and well-connected, and the polling does show a fatigue with the existing parties. What their strategy is, I cannot tell, but it is foolish to write them off.

    3. Brexit is still most likely to go through, but the odds of Remaining via a referendum have grown a little higher. The TIGs have made it acceptable to advocate for this, John Cryer’s note is significant, as are John McDonnell’s comments. I’d put the chances of a referendum around 25%.

    4. Assuming we do Brexit 29 March, May will be gone within weeks if not days.

    I think Cable hasbeen part of Tigger planning. Just as the Liberals encouraged Roy Jenkins to form a new party rather than defect to the Liberals, Cable is doing the same. He is old enough to remember the first SDP, and to learn some lessons on what to do differently, and what worked before.
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    GardenwalkerGardenwalker Posts: 20,847
    edited February 2019
    Nigelb said:

    Essexit said:

    A good thread header David, thanks.

    Centre parties certainly are the kind of thing that sound better in the abstract than the reality. I suspect once the TIGgers form a party and some policies, it'll become clear to the electorate that they're a Blairite tribute act. The novelty and the lack of the tainted Lib Dem brand will probably get them into the low teens in the opinion polls, mind.

    Too early to tell.
    We don’t know who might join them in the next few weeks - and we don’t know if the next election will be in three months or three years.

    TIGs must raise the chances of an election this year, though.

    Imagine, we Brexit on 29 March.
    May is forced to step down and Javid wins a leadership campaign, seeing off Gove.

    Polliing has Labour in the mid 20s.

    Let’s be charitable and assume Javid has a honeymoon. Wouldn’t you go for it?
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    GardenwalkerGardenwalker Posts: 20,847
    Foxy said:

    Thoughts on the news this morning.

    1. Jeremy Hunt’s vassal comment in Slovenia was daft, but blame his speechwriter or aides. However, he does come across as having the charisma of a old mop. Lay Hunt, and - sadly - put your money on Javid.

    2. The TIGs are not a flash in the pan. This is the culmination of months if not years of planning. They are well-funded and well-connected, and the polling does show a fatigue with the existing parties. What their strategy is, I cannot tell, but it is foolish to write them off.

    3. Brexit is still most likely to go through, but the odds of Remaining via a referendum have grown a little higher. The TIGs have made it acceptable to advocate for this, John Cryer’s note is significant, as are John McDonnell’s comments. I’d put the chances of a referendum around 25%.

    4. Assuming we do Brexit 29 March, May will be gone within weeks if not days.

    I think Cable hasbeen part of Tigger planning. Just as the Liberals encouraged Roy Jenkins to form a new party rather than defect to the Liberals, Cable is doing the same. He is old enough to remember the first SDP, and to learn some lessons on what to do differently, and what worked before.
    We should assume that the Lib Dems, David Miliband, and Tony Blair have all been part of Tigger planning.
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    On topic: David's analysis is as always impeccable, but perhaps the TIGgers might 'break the mould' in unconventional ways. After all, current circumstances are unique, nothing like anything we've seen in UK politics before, and the looming Brexit deadline together with the cross-party passions it evokes is turbo-charging shifts in allegiance.

    A possible scenario in which big changes might happen:

    1. Corbyn continues to hound decent MPs out of the Labour Party. When you consider that the majority of his MPs have already voted against him in a No Confidence vote, and add in the latest bout of intolerance and anti-semitism, and factor in Brexit unhappiness as well, it's not impossible to imagine that dozens of Labour MPs might be driven out of the party.

    2. On the Tory side, there are only a handful of MPs who are diehard opponents to Brexit, but there are many, many more who are horrified at the antics of the ERG and the looming danger of a chaotic crash-out, which would be disastrous for the country and therefore for the party as well. If Theresa May miscalculates, or more likely is simply incapable of herding the ERG cats into some kind of order, and it looks as though No Deal is imminent, then we could easily see dozens, maybe more, Tory MPs decide to rebel and vote with the TIGgers and some Labour MPs to take back control of the process to avoid No Deal. It doesn't require too much of a leap then to see a substantial number of resignations of the whip.

    3. At that point, the TIGgers (or perhaps an even looser alliance of independents) become, almost overnight, a major force in the Commons. Admittedly, this will be a single-issue major force - they won't be united on general areas of policy such as welfare or public spending - but that doesn't matter in the short term.

    4. I think the most likely immediate outcome if the mould does get smashed in that way would be a Remain/Deal referendum, because that would be the one way out which might command a majority.

    5. Beyond that, though, the TIG would not be sufficiently coherent to form a single party. Maybe it would all fizzle out back into the main parties again, or maybe the TIG might form the nucleus of two separate parties (centre-left and centre-right).

    There are obviously huge obstacles to all of this, and it might all be fanciful. However, I really don't think we can look much further forward than a couple of weeks at the moment. There is no precedent for the situation our politics is in.
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    Thoughts on the news this morning.

    1. Jeremy Hunt’s vassal comment in Slovenia was daft, but blame his speechwriter or aides. However, he does come across as having the charisma of a old mop. Lay Hunt, and - sadly - put your money on Javid.

    2. The TIGs are not a flash in the pan. This is the culmination of months if not years of planning. They are well-funded and well-connected, and the polling does show a fatigue with the existing parties. What their strategy is, I cannot tell, but it is foolish to write them off.

    3. Brexit is still most likely to go through, but the odds of Remaining via a referendum have grown a little higher. The TIGs have made it acceptable to advocate for this, John Cryer’s note is significant, as are John McDonnell’s comments. I’d put the chances of a referendum around 25%.

    4. Assuming we do Brexit 29 March, May will be gone within weeks if not days.

    On 1. - Hunt should have known.

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    Mr. Walker, if Begum ends up returning, that'll make Javid look weak and hamper his chances.
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    Thoughts on the news this morning.

    1. Jeremy Hunt’s vassal comment in Slovenia was daft, but blame his speechwriter or aides. However, he does come across as having the charisma of a old mop. Lay Hunt, and - sadly - put your money on Javid.

    2. The TIGs are not a flash in the pan. This is the culmination of months if not years of planning. They are well-funded and well-connected, and the polling does show a fatigue with the existing parties. What their strategy is, I cannot tell, but it is foolish to write them off.

    3. Brexit is still most likely to go through, but the odds of Remaining via a referendum have grown a little higher. The TIGs have made it acceptable to advocate for this, John Cryer’s note is significant, as are John McDonnell’s comments. I’d put the chances of a referendum around 25%.

    4. Assuming we do Brexit 29 March, May will be gone within weeks if not days.

    On 1. - Hunt should have known.

    The fact that neither Hunt nor his aides seem to have a basic grasp of twentieth century European history is lamentable but is symptomatic of how we have ended up in this mess.
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    GardenwalkerGardenwalker Posts: 20,847

    Mr. Walker, if Begum ends up returning, that'll make Javid look weak and hamper his chances.

    If I was Johnson, Gove or Hunt I’d be encouraging Begum’s appeal.

    In fact, Johnson could do worse (from the freedom of the backbenches) than rediscovering his liberal instincts and speaking out against the dangerous precedent Javid is trying to set.
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    AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 23,754
    Foxy said:

    Thoughts on the news this morning.

    1. Jeremy Hunt’s vassal comment in Slovenia was daft, but blame his speechwriter or aides. However, he does come across as having the charisma of a old mop. Lay Hunt, and - sadly - put your money on Javid.

    2. The TIGs are not a flash in the pan. This is the culmination of months if not years of planning. They are well-funded and well-connected, and the polling does show a fatigue with the existing parties. What their strategy is, I cannot tell, but it is foolish to write them off.

    3. Brexit is still most likely to go through, but the odds of Remaining via a referendum have grown a little higher. The TIGs have made it acceptable to advocate for this, John Cryer’s note is significant, as are John McDonnell’s comments. I’d put the chances of a referendum around 25%.

    4. Assuming we do Brexit 29 March, May will be gone within weeks if not days.

    I think Cable hasbeen part of Tigger planning. Just as the Liberals encouraged Roy Jenkins to form a new party rather than defect to the Liberals, Cable is doing the same. He is old enough to remember the first SDP, and to learn some lessons on what to do differently, and what worked before.
    been out in the garden

    FPT

    I said we are on the first wave of AI, it wont really hit us for until the 2020s and we are woefully prepared for it.

    as for the pyramids its how we have been for ages, we have few plans for coping with it bar screaming that the NHS needs more money but I can see us having to bite the bullet on assisted death at some point. Its a debate we should be having.
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    Mr. Walker, if Begum ends up returning, that'll make Javid look weak and hamper his chances.

    If I was Johnson, Gove or Hunt I’d be encouraging Begum’s appeal.

    In fact, Johnson could do worse (from the freedom of the backbenches) than rediscovering his liberal instincts and speaking out against the dangerous precedent Javid is trying to set.
    TBH I think the percentage of Conservative members who would welcome the prospect of lawyers forcing the government to take back Shamima Begum is tiny.
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    FoxyFoxy Posts: 44,599

    Thoughts on the news this morning.

    1. Jeremy Hunt’s vassal comment in Slovenia was daft, but blame his speechwriter or aides. However, he does come across as having the charisma of a old mop. Lay Hunt, and - sadly - put your money on Javid.

    2. The TIGs are not a flash in the pan. This is the culmination of months if not years of planning. They are well-funded and well-connected, and the polling does show a fatigue with the existing parties. What their strategy is, I cannot tell, but it is foolish to write them off.

    3. Brexit is still most likely to go through, but the odds of Remaining via a referendum have grown a little higher. The TIGs have made it acceptable to advocate for this, John Cryer’s note is significant, as are John McDonnell’s comments. I’d put the chances of a referendum around 25%.

    4. Assuming we do Brexit 29 March, May will be gone within weeks if not days.

    On 1. - Hunt should have known.

    He should have known, but it wasa stupid thing to say, and its stupidity would have been even more so if it had been true, such as if he said the same thing in Poland or Hungary.
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    GardenwalkerGardenwalker Posts: 20,847

    Mr. Walker, if Begum ends up returning, that'll make Javid look weak and hamper his chances.

    If I was Johnson, Gove or Hunt I’d be encouraging Begum’s appeal.

    In fact, Johnson could do worse (from the freedom of the backbenches) than rediscovering his liberal instincts and speaking out against the dangerous precedent Javid is trying to set.
    TBH I think the percentage of Conservative members who would welcome the prospect of lawyers forcing the government to take back Shamima Begum is tiny.
    At this stage, most Conservative members would welcome a dictatorship of the proletariat if it came dressed in Brexit colours. They have renounced, as a group, coherent philosophy as the grounds for their party affiliation.

    Any support for Javid’s antics is incredibly superficial.
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    GardenwalkerGardenwalker Posts: 20,847
    People mewling about the “anti democratic” Remoaners seem remarkably quiet about the growing consensus that rogue social media spending and activity played a significant role in the Brexit referendum.

    https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/why-the-uk-condemned-facebook-for-fuelling-fake-news
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    I think I might have to have a lie down in a darken room....as I agree with him.
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    YBarddCwscYBarddCwsc Posts: 7,172
    I think the more likely TIG seems about to succeed, the more likely the other parties will change, so the more likely TIG will fail.

    This is a feedback loop, as we have already seen with Corby appointing Falconer.

    And for the Tories, surely the polls showing the damage TIG might do to Labour are an enormous incentive to party unity ... some intelligent Tories must be thinking if we can only stop arguing about Brexit, then we could be looking at another decade in power.

    Ah ...intelligent Tories ... I see the mistake.
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    OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 31,977

    Thoughts on the news this morning.

    1. Jeremy Hunt’s vassal comment in Slovenia was daft, but blame his speechwriter or aides. However, he does come across as having the charisma of a old mop. Lay Hunt, and - sadly - put your money on Javid.

    2. The TIGs are not a flash in the pan. This is the culmination of months if not years of planning. They are well-funded and well-connected, and the polling does show a fatigue with the existing parties. What their strategy is, I cannot tell, but it is foolish to write them off.

    3. Brexit is still most likely to go through, but the odds of Remaining via a referendum have grown a little higher. The TIGs have made it acceptable to advocate for this, John Cryer’s note is significant, as are John McDonnell’s comments. I’d put the chances of a referendum around 25%.

    4. Assuming we do Brexit 29 March, May will be gone within weeks if not days.

    On 1. - Hunt should have known.

    On a par with Karen Bradley.
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    Excitement builds as folk wonder if the audience will creep into 3 figures for Vince's speech.

    https://twitter.com/BBCPhilipSim/status/1099264297413369856

    It would have been cheaper and easier just to fly them to Vince's house for the weekend.
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    FoxyFoxy Posts: 44,599
    edited February 2019

    People mewling about the “anti democratic” Remoaners seem remarkably quiet about the growing consensus that rogue social media spending and activity played a significant role in the Brexit referendum.

    https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/why-the-uk-condemned-facebook-for-fuelling-fake-news

    Putin doesn't even try to cover it up anymore. He wants people to know that he pulls the strings:

    https://twitter.com/David_K_Clark/status/1098846220162949120?s=19

    At least in America they have a process to investigate, here we would rather sweep it under the carpet.
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    Scott_P said:

    twitter.com/hzeffman/status/1099259787399843841

    Do we think he will actually listen and properly discipline offenders? Or will it be the same old same old? And will Jezza again be arguing that he must have the right to claim Israel doesn't have the right to exist?
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    ChrisChris Posts: 11,120

    I think the more likely TIG seems about to succeed, the more likely the other parties will change, so the more likely TIG will fail. ...

    Influence without electability - the prerogative of the minor party throughout the ages.
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    Thoughts on the news this morning.

    1. Jeremy Hunt’s vassal comment in Slovenia was daft, but blame his speechwriter or aides. However, he does come across as having the charisma of a old mop. Lay Hunt, and - sadly - put your money on Javid.

    2. The TIGs are not a flash in the pan. This is the culmination of months if not years of planning. They are well-funded and well-connected, and the polling does show a fatigue with the existing parties. What their strategy is, I cannot tell, but it is foolish to write them off.

    3. Brexit is still most likely to go through, but the odds of Remaining via a referendum have grown a little higher. The TIGs have made it acceptable to advocate for this, John Cryer’s note is significant, as are John McDonnell’s comments. I’d put the chances of a referendum around 25%.

    4. Assuming we do Brexit 29 March, May will be gone within weeks if not days.

    On 1. - Hunt should have known.

    On a par with Karen Bradley.
    Still, look on the bright side, it wasn't as bad as David Miliband's 2006 insult to Brazil, when he proposed selling off the Amazon to foreigners.
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    kyf_100kyf_100 Posts: 3,943

    Foxy said:

    Thoughts on the news this morning.

    1. Jeremy Hunt’s vassal comment in Slovenia was daft, but blame his speechwriter or aides. However, he does come across as having the charisma of a old mop. Lay Hunt, and - sadly - put your money on Javid.

    2. The TIGs are not a flash in the pan. This is the culmination of months if not years of planning. They are well-funded and well-connected, and the polling does show a fatigue with the existing parties. What their strategy is, I cannot tell, but it is foolish to write them off.

    3. Brexit is still most likely to go through, but the odds of Remaining via a referendum have grown a little higher. The TIGs have made it acceptable to advocate for this, John Cryer’s note is significant, as are John McDonnell’s comments. I’d put the chances of a referendum around 25%.

    4. Assuming we do Brexit 29 March, May will be gone within weeks if not days.

    I think Cable hasbeen part of Tigger planning. Just as the Liberals encouraged Roy Jenkins to form a new party rather than defect to the Liberals, Cable is doing the same. He is old enough to remember the first SDP, and to learn some lessons on what to do differently, and what worked before.
    We should assume that the Lib Dems, David Miliband, and Tony Blair have all been part of Tigger planning.
    Splendid - a party orchestrated by a bunch of proven political failures who are, these days, about as popular as a rattlesnake in a lucky dip...

    What could possibly go wrong?
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    AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 23,754
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    FoxyFoxy Posts: 44,599

    I think the more likely TIG seems about to succeed, the more likely the other parties will change, so the more likely TIG will fail.

    This is a feedback loop, as we have already seen with Corby appointing Falconer.

    And for the Tories, surely the polls showing the damage TIG might do to Labour are an enormous incentive to party unity ... some intelligent Tories must be thinking if we can only stop arguing about Brexit, then we could be looking at another decade in power.

    Ah ...intelligent Tories ... I see the mistake.

    Ultimately the SDP were the godparents of New Labour. It depends very much whether the Tiggers want personal triumph or for their ideas to triumph.

    I think that you underestimate the Tories, I think it likely that it is a penitent Tory government that applies for EU re-entry.
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    GardenwalkerGardenwalker Posts: 20,847
    edited February 2019
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    JackWJackW Posts: 14,787

    Mr. Walker, if Begum ends up returning, that'll make Javid look weak and hamper his chances.

    Accordingly and in the national interest every endeavour must be made by the SAS to return Begum to dear old Blighty .. :sunglasses:
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    Corbyn doesn't exactly look pleased to see him!
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    AndyJSAndyJS Posts: 29,395
    They didn't make such a fuss when 49.7% didn't get what they wanted in the Welsh referendum in 1997. Funny that.
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    PClippPClipp Posts: 2,138

    They can believe in anything they want but the more things they believe in the more offputting it will be for more and more people.
    And that would be before they had the difficulties of putting any of their beliefs into practice in government.
    We saw how quickly the LibDem beliefs in opposing tuition fees increases and Middle Eastern warmongering disappeared when they were in government.

    Not at all, Mr Richard. You need to distinguish between Lib Dems as a whole - who held fast to their principles and beliefs. And the Lib Dem MPs who went into Coalition with the moderate Conservatives. The latter had to compromise on some issues - that is the nature of a Coalition. It doesn`t mean that even they were happy about it.
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    ChrisChris Posts: 11,120

    Mr. Walker, if Begum ends up returning, that'll make Javid look weak and hamper his chances.

    If I was Johnson, Gove or Hunt I’d be encouraging Begum’s appeal.

    In fact, Johnson could do worse (from the freedom of the backbenches) than rediscovering his liberal instincts and speaking out against the dangerous precedent Javid is trying to set.
    TBH I think the percentage of Conservative members who would welcome the prospect of lawyers forcing the government to take back Shamima Begum is tiny.
    Though Jacob Rees-Mogg thinks it was wrong to take away her British citizenship, doesn't he?
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    PClipp said:

    They can believe in anything they want but the more things they believe in the more offputting it will be for more and more people.
    And that would be before they had the difficulties of putting any of their beliefs into practice in government.
    We saw how quickly the LibDem beliefs in opposing tuition fees increases and Middle Eastern warmongering disappeared when they were in government.

    Not at all, Mr Richard. You need to distinguish between Lib Dems as a whole - who held fast to their principles and beliefs. And the Lib Dem MPs who went into Coalition with the moderate Conservatives. The latter had to compromise on some issues - that is the nature of a Coalition. It doesn`t mean that even they were happy about it.
    My LibDems good, your LibDems bad
    My LibDems good, your LibDems bad
    My LibDems good, your LibDems bad
    Bleat, bleat, bleat, bleat, bleat, bleat

    Perhaps you'd like to tell us that it will be different next time ?
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    Mr. Walker, if Begum ends up returning, that'll make Javid look weak and hamper his chances.

    If I was Johnson, Gove or Hunt I’d be encouraging Begum’s appeal.

    In fact, Johnson could do worse (from the freedom of the backbenches) than rediscovering his liberal instincts and speaking out against the dangerous precedent Javid is trying to set.
    Jacob Rees-Mogg has already said Javid was wrong to strip Begum's nationality. JRM is a supporter of Boris iirc, so perhaps there was an element of kite-flying.
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    nico67nico67 Posts: 4,502
    Will next week turn out to be historic or an overhyped showdown which turns into a damp squib .

    You can make the case for both outcomes .

    It’s possible that Labour will suffer a mass exodus if the Labour front bench doesn’t back the Kyle Wilson amendment . It’s also possible that we see a series of resignations from the government and more moving to the Indy Group .

    That is dangerous though because both parties then might realize another general election is needed to finish off the group before it gets off the ground .

    In terms of another election that would need an Article 50 extension .

    Equally it might be that May secures some tweaking to the WA , enough to allow the ERG and DUP to climb down , fearful of a long Brexit delay . Together with some Labour rebels .

    Making forecasts is a fools game though given the current state of British politics.
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    Macron issues call to reform the CAP by throwing more GERMAN money at it

    http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-eco/2019/02/23/97002-20190223FILWWW00029-macron-veut-reinventer-la-pac.php

    Is that more precise ?
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    AlanbrookeAlanbrooke Posts: 23,754

    Macron issues call to reform the CAP by throwing more GERMAN money at it

    http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-eco/2019/02/23/97002-20190223FILWWW00029-macron-veut-reinventer-la-pac.php

    Is that more precise ?
    lol

    I dont think hes too particular where the money comes from as long as its not France :-)
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    ChrisChris Posts: 11,120

    Mr. Walker, if Begum ends up returning, that'll make Javid look weak and hamper his chances.

    If I was Johnson, Gove or Hunt I’d be encouraging Begum’s appeal.

    In fact, Johnson could do worse (from the freedom of the backbenches) than rediscovering his liberal instincts and speaking out against the dangerous precedent Javid is trying to set.
    Sadly, I don't think he is setting a precedent. More than 100 people were deprived of their citizenship in 2017:
    https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/shamima-begum-uk-citizenship-stripped-home-office-sajid-javid-a8788301.html

    The unprecedented thing about Shamima Begum's case is that people have noticed it happened.
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    nico67nico67 Posts: 4,502
    So using the Tory Convention logic even if May secures a deal the UK should crash out on Mar 29 anyway as there would not be enough time to bring in all the necessary legislation .

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    kjohnwkjohnw Posts: 1,456

    I think I might have to have a lie down in a darken room....as I agree with him.
    “Continuing to condone brexit” Andrew Adonis is an anti democratic who has never been democratically elected himself. 17.4 million condoned brexit
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    That is really ridiculous. I am absolutely no fan of Corbyn but if a stranger offers his hand to you, you accept it unless you know a damn good reason not to. That is just common decency. It is clear from that photo that Corbyn is distracted and simply reacting as any reasonable person would.
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    The abolition of free movement will destroy the NHS because all the Brits living in Spain will have to be repatriated. Abolition of free movement will also work without introducing ID cards.

    Why is another_richard so troubled by eastern europeans coming here anyway as most are only here for a short time? In that sense it is not 'immigration'.

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    That is really ridiculous. I am absolutely no fan of Corbyn but if a stranger offers his hand to you, you accept it unless you know a damn good reason not to. That is just common decency. It is clear from that photo that Corbyn is distracted and simply reacting as any reasonable person would.
    Indeed.

    Politicians must shake hands with hundreds, maybe thousands, of people in such a way.
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    RecidivistRecidivist Posts: 4,679

    Scott_P said:

    twitter.com/hzeffman/status/1099259787399843841

    Do we think he will actually listen and properly discipline offenders? Or will it be the same old same old? And will Jezza again be arguing that he must have the right to claim Israel doesn't have the right to exist?
    Does Corbyn have a stated preference for resolution of the Israel/Palestine issue? It has just crossed my mind that I have never heard what it is.
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    People mewling about the “anti democratic” Remoaners seem remarkably quiet about the growing consensus that rogue social media spending and activity played a significant role in the Brexit referendum.

    https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/why-the-uk-condemned-facebook-for-fuelling-fake-news

    There isn't a 'growing consensus'. Just the same old accusations being repeated time and time again by those with a vested interest in trying to show that social media is the reason their favoured outcome was beaten.
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    tlg86tlg86 Posts: 25,189

    That is really ridiculous. I am absolutely no fan of Corbyn but if a stranger offers his hand to you, you accept it unless you know a damn good reason not to. That is just common decency. It is clear from that photo that Corbyn is distracted and simply reacting as any reasonable person would.
    Indeed.

    Politicians must shake hands with hundreds, maybe thousands, of people in such a way.
    https://tinyurl.com/yyl2pz7n

    What a slippery, slimy, greasy handshake. Said Colonel Gaddafi.
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    kfowkes said:

    The abolition of free movement will destroy the NHS because all the Brits living in Spain will have to be repatriated. Abolition of free movement will also work without introducing ID cards.

    Why is another_richard so troubled by eastern europeans coming here anyway as most are only here for a short time? In that sense it is not 'immigration'.

    I suppose the same facts can be argued in two completely opposite ways depending on your view.

    I grew up in a town which, because of historic settlement post WW2, had a high proportion of people of Eastern European descent. I would not look at that as anything other than a huge benefit both for the town and me personally.

    At the same time I agree that most of the more recent EU migration is of people who, eventually, choose to head back to their countries of origin. Hence why I think you argument is correct.

    But the bottom line is that in both cases I start from a position of believing that the influence and contribution of these people to our lives is positive. Others think differently, for reasons I either do not understand or outright reject. I am not sure the two sides will ever convince each other.
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    kfowkes said:

    The abolition of free movement will destroy the NHS because all the Brits living in Spain will have to be repatriated. Abolition of free movement will also work without introducing ID cards.

    Why is another_richard so troubled by eastern europeans coming here anyway as most are only here for a short time? In that sense it is not 'immigration'.

    Why would all the British people in Spain have to be repatriated ?

    Some migrants to the UK return home while others don't which is why the number of immigrants has steadily increased. Despite that is the government having a manifesto commitment to reduce net immigration to the tens of thousands.

    And if you want to talk about immigration from Eastern Europe can you explain how a town like Rotherham benefits from thousands of Eastern European Roma having moving there ?
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    saddosaddo Posts: 534
    If the Tories pick either Saj or Hunt and either of them makes a decent fist of being PM (not hard after May), with an on the plate standing up for the UK message in the next part of the EU exit process, there's no space for a new centre party to do anything.

    Cannot see how they succeed other than taking lots of moderate labour votes and potentially seats.
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    saddosaddo Posts: 534

    People mewling about the “anti democratic” Remoaners seem remarkably quiet about the growing consensus that rogue social media spending and activity played a significant role in the Brexit referendum.

    https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/why-the-uk-condemned-facebook-for-fuelling-fake-news

    There isn't a 'growing consensus'. Just the same old accusations being repeated time and time again by those with a vested interest in trying to show that social media is the reason their favoured outcome was beaten.
    All the loser lot, blame their ill's on the impact of social media. What they completely ignore is the brand companies with massive budgets & hugely sophisticated analytical tools struggle to prove ROI on social media spending. And these brand companies are much better at politicians at getting their messages across and selling huge quantities of products.
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    kfowkes said:

    The abolition of free movement will destroy the NHS because all the Brits living in Spain will have to be repatriated. Abolition of free movement will also work without introducing ID cards.

    Why is another_richard so troubled by eastern europeans coming here anyway as most are only here for a short time? In that sense it is not 'immigration'.

    I suppose the same facts can be argued in two completely opposite ways depending on your view.

    I grew up in a town which, because of historic settlement post WW2, had a high proportion of people of Eastern European descent. I would not look at that as anything other than a huge benefit both for the town and me personally.

    At the same time I agree that most of the more recent EU migration is of people who, eventually, choose to head back to their countries of origin. Hence why I think you argument is correct.

    But the bottom line is that in both cases I start from a position of believing that the influence and contribution of these people to our lives is positive. Others think differently, for reasons I either do not understand or outright reject. I am not sure the two sides will ever convince each other.
    Migration is made up of individuals.

    And each individual will affect, and be affected by, the place they are migrating to (and migrating from) differently.

    That is why some immigration can be beneficial and some detrimental and why IMO immigrants should be judged on an individual basis.
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    Thoughts on the news this morning.

    1. Jeremy Hunt’s vassal comment in Slovenia was daft, but blame his speechwriter or aides. However, he does come across as having the charisma of a old mop. Lay Hunt, and - sadly - put your money on Javid.

    2. The TIGs are not a flash in the pan. This is the culmination of months if not years of planning. They are well-funded and well-connected, and the polling does show a fatigue with the existing parties. What their strategy is, I cannot tell, but it is foolish to write them off.

    3. Brexit is still most likely to go through, but the odds of Remaining via a referendum have grown a little higher. The TIGs have made it acceptable to advocate for this, John Cryer’s note is significant, as are John McDonnell’s comments. I’d put the chances of a referendum around 25%.

    4. Assuming we do Brexit 29 March, May will be gone within weeks if not days.

    On 1. - Hunt should have known.

    On a par with Karen Bradley.
    Hunt is building up quite the collection of gaffes. If he were a Labour politician, or provoked his opponents in the manner of Boris, we wouldn't hear the end of it on here. Instead there's something empty about him that just makes me shrug my shoulders. So, Hunt has gaffed again. So what?

    Remarkably he's one of the good options for next Conservative leader.
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    Thoughts on the news this morning.

    1. Jeremy Hunt’s vassal comment in Slovenia was daft, but blame his speechwriter or aides. However, he does come across as having the charisma of a old mop. Lay Hunt, and - sadly - put your money on Javid.

    2. The TIGs are not a flash in the pan. This is the culmination of months if not years of planning. They are well-funded and well-connected, and the polling does show a fatigue with the existing parties. What their strategy is, I cannot tell, but it is foolish to write them off.

    3. Brexit is still most likely to go through, but the odds of Remaining via a referendum have grown a little higher. The TIGs have made it acceptable to advocate for this, John Cryer’s note is significant, as are John McDonnell’s comments. I’d put the chances of a referendum around 25%.

    4. Assuming we do Brexit 29 March, May will be gone within weeks if not days.

    On 1. - Hunt should have known.

    On a par with Karen Bradley.
    Hunt is building up quite the collection of gaffes. If he were a Labour politician, or provoked his opponents in the manner of Boris, we wouldn't hear the end of it on here. Instead there's something empty about him that just makes me shrug my shoulders. So, Hunt has gaffed again. So what?

    Remarkably he's one of the good options for next Conservative leader.
    Hunt did well at Health by effectively doing nothing for several years.

    Why he has changed that strategy as Foreign Sec I don't know.
This discussion has been closed.