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politicalbetting.com » Blog Archive » LAB supporters are deluding themselves if they think an anti-C

SystemSystem Posts: 11,002
edited May 2018 in General

imagepoliticalbetting.com » Blog Archive » LAB supporters are deluding themselves if they think an anti-CON rainbow coalition would automatically back Corbyn for PM

Ever since general election seat projections like the one from Sky above have appeared LAB supporters and Corbyn enthusiasts have been saying that last Thursday the party won LE2018 and if it had been had a general election then Corbyn would be the one being called to the Palace.

Read the full story here


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Comments

  • RobDRobD Posts: 58,941
    First!
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 59,540
    Second! Like Corbyn, Remain & Yes.....
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 59,540
    No doubt many Lib Dems also remember Labour's arrogant assumption that they were basically 'Labour mini-me' when Brown tried to hold on to power in 2010 - even without Corbyn, I doubt that fundamental Labour attitude has shifted.....all part of the progressive alliance (which Mason reckons doesn't need the Lib Dems):

    https://twitter.com/paulmasonnews/status/992408416298651648

    Classic 'bubble' thinking - there are many non-progressive (current and former) Labour voters out there.....


  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 59,540
    FPT - background on the latest Home Office scandal, from an unlikely source.....

    https://twitter.com/JolyonMaugham/status/993218506983464960
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 47,080
    Third, like the LibDems in England.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 47,080
    edited May 2018
    Local election night GE projections are supposed to forecast a majority for the current opposition of 200 or more, as "just a bit of fun". That fact that Corbynites are scratching around trying to claim an NOC largest party forecast as some kind of victory tells us all we need to know.
  • SouthamObserverSouthamObserver Posts: 38,876
    Coalition - formal or informal - requires compromise. The far left is incapable of that. It’s one of the reasons why I am immensely confident Corbyn will never be PM.
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 59,540
    Long Read - post Brexit dispute resolution (its complicated) and Selmayr (It's a mess and it's going to get worse):

    https://twitter.com/ceris_training/status/993266327954522117
  • felixfelix Posts: 15,122
    IanB2 said:

    Local election night GE projections are supposed to forecast a majority for the current opposition of 200 or more, as "just a bit of fun". That fact that Corbynites are scratching around trying to claim an NOC largest party forecast as some kind of victory tells us all we need to know.

    I've seen at least 3 different Projections from the results which is staggeringly unhelpful I wonder how London scored compared to the polls.
  • AlastairMeeksAlastairMeeks Posts: 30,340
    2010 might be relevant in a different way. The Lib Dems might be prepared to put Labour into power if they drop their leader.

    That could be a lively public discussion.
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 60,933
    Good morning, everyone.

    Slept badly due to the heat and, ironically, ended up getting out of bed an hour earlier due to sleepily misreading my watch :p

    I think there may be a better chance than the thread header suggests. The SNP's mission in life is to divide the UK, so Sturgeon might well be tempted. The Lib Dems could be wary of coalition, but, certainly with Cable as leader, might also want to 're-equalise' the distance between Lab and Con by entering coalition with the reds.

    Still think it's odds against, but it's far from impossible. We've seen just how Labour backbenchers will put up with nonsense rather than resign the whip or form a break-away party.
  • Rexel56Rexel56 Posts: 807
    What happens if a number of the Labour MPs let the Palace know that they would not support Corbyn as PM?
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 31,715
    Well, my 80th birthday celebrations of yesterday are over; nice things were said about me, drink was taken and cake was eaten and all that’s left is to sort out the bills.

    On topic, dn’t those figures mean a conntinuation of the current Con plus DUP C&S arrangments?
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 59,540

    Well, my 80th birthday celebrations of yesterday are over; nice things were said about me, drink was taken and cake was eaten and all that’s left is to sort out the bills.

    On topic, dn’t those figures mean a conntinuation of the current Con plus DUP C&S arrangments?

    Belated congratulations! Old enough to set a bad example!
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 49,955
    There would have been plenty voting Labour on Thursday, happy for the party to take care of local potholes - but who would not vote for them if that meant Prime Minster Jeremy Corbyn in a General Election.

    Some polling required....
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 47,080

    Coalition - formal or informal - requires compromise. The far left is incapable of that. It’s one of the reasons why I am immensely confident Corbyn will never be PM.

    Isn't he in favour of Trident, now? Or at least not against it.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 49,955

    Well, my 80th birthday celebrations of yesterday are over; nice things were said about me, drink was taken and cake was eaten and all that’s left is to sort out the bills.

    On topic, dn’t those figures mean a conntinuation of the current Con plus DUP C&S arrangments?

    Couldn't have been that much drink taken if you are up and posting already! Congrats.

    I wonder if any other poster has a better claim to be our very own Father of the House?
  • daodaodaodao Posts: 821

    No doubt many Lib Dems also remember Labour's arrogant assumption that they were basically 'Labour mini-me' when Brown tried to hold on to power in 2010 - even without Corbyn, I doubt that fundamental Labour attitude has shifted.....all part of the progressive alliance (which Mason reckons doesn't need the Lib Dems):

    https://twitter.com/paulmasonnews/status/992408416298651648

    Classic 'bubble' thinking - there are many non-progressive (current and former) Labour voters out there.....


    The Lie Dems are not suitable partners for a radical "progressive" alliance. It was clear to me from the presentation to the public of the ConDem coalition in the Downing Street Rose Garden inn May 2010, and the fact that this government lasted a full 5 years, how little difference there is between liberal "conservatism" and the LDs.

    While there would be differences between the nationalist parties (PC/SNP) and Labour on the national identity issue, they do at least have similar left-wing views and attitudes to foreign policy.
  • TheJezziahTheJezziah Posts: 3,840

    2010 might be relevant in a different way. The Lib Dems might be prepared to put Labour into power if they drop their leader.

    That could be a lively public discussion.

    I can't speak for anyone else but I would be happy for them to back the Tories if they can't come to an agreement with Labour and its leadership. Not good in the short term but medium term it could be really good for Labour in terms of really driving out the anti Tory section and mostly you would expect it would head to Labour, outside Scotland anyway.
  • DavidLDavidL Posts: 50,758
    Let’s face it, a result anything like that projection and we are very likely heading back to the polls again with no viable government possible. At best there might be a short interregnum so the Tories lose the benefits of incumbency. But the idea that a viable government could be put together in that way is for the birds.
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 59,540
    daodao said:

    No doubt many Lib Dems also remember Labour's arrogant assumption that they were basically 'Labour mini-me' when Brown tried to hold on to power in 2010 - even without Corbyn, I doubt that fundamental Labour attitude has shifted.....all part of the progressive alliance (which Mason reckons doesn't need the Lib Dems):

    https://twitter.com/paulmasonnews/status/992408416298651648

    Classic 'bubble' thinking - there are many non-progressive (current and former) Labour voters out there.....


    the nationalist parties (PC/SNP) and Labour.....do at least have similar ....attitudes to foreign policy.
    Labour want to stay in the EU (SNP Policy)?
  • rkrkrkrkrkrk Posts: 7,880
    Agree with the thrust of the header - Lab should not assume.
    I do think the green(s?) would support Corbyn over the Tories certainly.

    Lib Dems under Vince more likely to back the Tories rather than Corbyn I reckon. I'd add also that the more left-wing Lib dems, perhaps previously motivated by the Iraq war/civil liberties, may have already switched to Labour.

    SNP - I think the advantage here is the Labour is more ambivalent on constitutional matters. I imagine some kind of deal could be done. I find it hard to believe someone like Mhairi Black would ever back the Tories.
  • OldKingColeOldKingCole Posts: 31,715

    Well, my 80th birthday celebrations of yesterday are over; nice things were said about me, drink was taken and cake was eaten and all that’s left is to sort out the bills.

    On topic, dn’t those figures mean a conntinuation of the current Con plus DUP C&S arrangments?

    Couldn't have been that much drink taken if you are up and posting already! Congrats.

    I wonder if any other poster has a better claim to be our very own Father of the House?
    Thank you. We finshed drinking about 7 and I’ve slept for quite at long time. And I’m sure JackW is much older!
  • Sean_FSean_F Posts: 35,758
    Overall, the London percentages were Con 31%, Lab 47%, Lib Dem 13%, Others 9%, very similar to 1997.

  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 60,933
    Betting Post

    Tennis: reduced my stakes after some unlucky/daft bets, but backed a couple in the Madrid Open.

    Pouille to beat Paire in straight sets, at 2.37 on Ladbrokes. He has a 3-0 winning record, with not a set lost.

    Similarly, backed Sharapova to win 2-0 against Begu at 1.9.
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 60,933
    Mr. F, presumably that means the Conservatives had a smaller but significant lead in England (excluding London)? Also, that the Lib Dems did better out of London than in it?
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 47,080

    There would have been plenty voting Labour on Thursday, happy for the party to take care of local potholes - but who would not vote for them if that meant Prime Minster Jeremy Corbyn in a General Election.

    Some polling required....

    Labour generally polls a point or two better at local compared to national elections, as against the Tories, as you can see whenever there are concurrent elections. People are a shade more sympathetic to better services/financial irresponsibility in their own local area rather than nationally.

    Whether this still applies now that the Tories are betting the whole economy on their own political obsessions is another matter, of course.
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 59,540
    Titter.....

    Brexit was supposed to be the French language’s chance at a comeback.

    For a brief moment after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, Francophones in Paris and Brussels allowed themselves to believe that French would regain its historical standing as Europe’s language of diplomacy.

    Instead, perhaps paradoxically, the opposite is taking place. Once Britain leaves the EU, only two, relatively small, EU member countries — Ireland and Malta — will still list English as an official language (alongside Irish and Maltese). It would be everyone else’s second language and thus neutral territory. Officials from non-French speaking countries like Poland, Italy or the Czech Republic are particularly eager to see the global lingua franca become the primary means of communication in the EU.


    https://www.politico.eu/article/french-english-language-brexit-european-parliament-ecj-commission-eu-next-waterloo
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,007
    DavidL said:

    Let’s face it, a result anything like that projection and we are very likely heading back to the polls again with no viable government possible. At best there might be a short interregnum so the Tories lose the benefits of incumbency. But the idea that a viable government could be put together in that way is for the birds.

    The Tories would need to be on 310+ to stay in office, IMHO, and 315+ to be secure.

    Anything less and they could be ambushed and defeated anytime.
  • rkrkrkrkrkrk Posts: 7,880

    2010 might be relevant in a different way. The Lib Dems might be prepared to put Labour into power if they drop their leader.

    That could be a lively public discussion.

    A lot would depend on the maths.
    If LD MPs < Corbyn MP supporters then it's probably irrelevant.

    That does seem a more likely route for a Labour split though than what is normally discussed.
  • Sean_FSean_F Posts: 35,758

    Mr. F, presumably that means the Conservatives had a smaller but significant lead in England (excluding London)? Also, that the Lib Dems did better out of London than in it?

    NEV share outside London would be something Con 38, Lab 35, LD 15.
  • MarqueeMarkMarqueeMark Posts: 49,955

    Well, my 80th birthday celebrations of yesterday are over; nice things were said about me, drink was taken and cake was eaten and all that’s left is to sort out the bills.

    On topic, dn’t those figures mean a conntinuation of the current Con plus DUP C&S arrangments?

    Couldn't have been that much drink taken if you are up and posting already! Congrats.

    I wonder if any other poster has a better claim to be our very own Father of the House?
    Thank you. We finshed drinking about 7 and I’ve slept for quite at long time. And I’m sure JackW is much older!
    He just SAYS he is!
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 66,730

    Long Read - post Brexit dispute resolution (its complicated) and Selmayr (It's a mess and it's going to get worse):

    https://twitter.com/ceris_training/status/993266327954522117

    That first article is interesting if rather dry. It's surprising to see how ad hoc and incompetent the EU are at drawing up trade treaties and how little thought goes into them. Maybe there's hope for a workable deal yet.

    The second one doesn't pull any punches, does it?
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 44,052
    DavidL said:

    Let’s face it, a result anything like that projection and we are very likely heading back to the polls again with no viable government possible. At best there might be a short interregnum so the Tories lose the benefits of incumbency. But the idea that a viable government could be put together in that way is for the birds.

    I agree, and I do not think there would be a coalition, but rather a minority government. Germany managed without a government for 6 months and the Italians seem to be doing the same. Most functions of government can tick over quite well without anyone at the wheel. Indeed it would return sovereignty to the Legislature rather than the executive. Policy would have to be thrashed out on a bill by bill basis rather than whipped. Sounds good to me.

    Alternatively, a minority party could provide the PM. Who is SNP leader at Westminster now?

  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 66,730
    edited May 2018

    DavidL said:

    Let’s face it, a result anything like that projection and we are very likely heading back to the polls again with no viable government possible. At best there might be a short interregnum so the Tories lose the benefits of incumbency. But the idea that a viable government could be put together in that way is for the birds.

    The Tories would need to be on 310+ to stay in office, IMHO, and 315+ to be secure.

    Anything less and they could be ambushed and defeated anytime.
    On the numbers in the header the Lib Dems and DUP could offer them a comfortable majority on confidence and supply. Moreover, the Yellows could justify it perfectly legitimately on the basis of their long standing position that the Tories had won the most seats and they would talk to the largest party first. That would not be true of any arrangement involving Labour, who even if the SNP took leave of their senses and joined them wouldn't crack 300.

    However, I can only see such an arrangement lasting two years before fresh elections. Possibly enough time for Labour however, if Corbyn was finally ditched in favour of somebody who can reach out to the centre.

    Next problem - could they find such a person in the current Labour Party?
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 44,052
    Isn't that what the significance of the Backstop position that May conceeded? Failure to agree on other arrangements (a UK CU) means a NI CU with a customs border in the Irish sea.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392
    Even some very sensible and reasonable labour people have uses the word 'betrayal' when talking of the lds, for instance, not standing aside in a close con-lab contest, and i think OGH is right that the level of automatic expectation they would fall into line shows a measure of arrogance and lack of understanding of the fact the lds are their own party, not a Labour sub group.

    That said, there are arrangements that don't require coalition, most ld voters seem to prefer labour to the tories (I'll take his word about them not being fans of Corbyn, though we know some lds are huge fans of his) and being seen to somehow prop up the tories, Even through inaction, woukd probably hurt them. So while it woukd be messy, and not as certain as some in labour act like it would be, I get the feeling they'd play ball.

    Yes theyve been burned by coalition, but I'd have thought the party was still about hoping for some influence. It's not like they expect to win outright.
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 59,540
    ydoethur said:

    Long Read - post Brexit dispute resolution (its complicated) and Selmayr (It's a mess and it's going to get worse):

    https://twitter.com/ceris_training/status/993266327954522117

    That first article is interesting if rather dry. It's surprising to see how ad hoc and incompetent the EU are at drawing up trade treaties and how little thought goes into them. Maybe there's hope for a workable deal yet.

    The second one doesn't pull any punches, does it?
    On the treaties its a hodge-podge - on Selmayr its a disaster waiting to happen:

    this will happen anyway if anyone in a future legal action against a secretary general’s decision decides to contest his competence because he has been illegally appointed. There will be a lot of opportunities, and this could thus produce a huge destabilization of the Commission, for a long period.
  • Sean_FSean_F Posts: 35,758

    Mr. F, presumably that means the Conservatives had a smaller but significant lead in England (excluding London)? Also, that the Lib Dems did better out of London than in it?

    It's interesting to note that Labour won 56 seats in London in 1997, compared to 11 Conservative and 6 Lib Dem. Thursday's result would have been more like 47, 22, 4, which shows how effective New Labour were at winning votes where they needed them.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392
    Can you imagine Corbyn trying to wrangle together a coalition (not even a formal Coalition) of such a variety of groups? Fair play to the man for boosting the labour vote, his campaigning skills, and his deterumination, but it's not an unfair point that party management has not been his strong suit.

    Were in a situation where the leaders cannot seem to manage without working majorities, but cannot seem likely to get such a majority either. I think Corbyn has a chance of that, if Brexit goes even more poorly, but more likely no one will find it easy.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 44,052
    ydoethur said:

    DavidL said:

    Let’s face it, a result anything like that projection and we are very likely heading back to the polls again with no viable government possible. At best there might be a short interregnum so the Tories lose the benefits of incumbency. But the idea that a viable government could be put together in that way is for the birds.

    The Tories would need to be on 310+ to stay in office, IMHO, and 315+ to be secure.

    Anything less and they could be ambushed and defeated anytime.
    On the numbers in the header the Lib Dems and DUP could offer them a comfortable majority on confidence and supply. Moreover, the Yellows could justify it perfectly legitimately on the basis of their long standing position that the Tories had won the most seats and they would talk to the largest party first. That would not be true of any arrangement involving Labour, who even if the SNP took leave of their senses and joined them wouldn't crack 300.

    However, I can only see such an arrangement lasting two years before fresh elections. Possibly enough time for Labour however, if Corbyn was finally ditched in favour of somebody who can reach out to the centre.

    Next problem - could they find such a person in the current Labour Party?
    The price of a C and S arrangement by LDs would be at the very least a referendum on the Brexit deal with a Remain option. I couldnt see that get past JRM.
  • Sean_FSean_F Posts: 35,758
    kle4 said:

    Even some very sensible and reasonable labour people have uses the word 'betrayal' when talking of the lds, for instance, not standing aside in a close con-lab contest, and i think OGH is right that the level of automatic expectation they would fall into line shows a measure of arrogance and lack of understanding of the fact the lds are their own party, not a Labour sub group.

    That said, there are arrangements that don't require coalition, most ld voters seem to prefer labour to the tories (I'll take his word about them not being fans of Corbyn, though we know some lds are huge fans of his) and being seen to somehow prop up the tories, Even through inaction, woukd probably hurt them. So while it woukd be messy, and not as certain as some in labour act like it would be, I get the feeling they'd play ball.

    Yes theyve been burned by coalition, but I'd have thought the party was still about hoping for some influence. It's not like they expect to win outright.

    If the Lib Dems didn't exist, the Conservatives would hold every one of their English seats, making Labour's task harder, not easier.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 66,730
    Foxy said:

    Isn't that what the significance of the Backstop position that May conceeded? Failure to agree on other arrangements (a UK CU) means a NI CU with a customs border in the Irish sea.
    No. These are the relevant clauses:

    49. The United Kingdom remains committed to protecting North-South cooperation and to its guarantee of avoiding a hard border. Any future arrangements must be compatible with these overarching requirements. The United Kingdom's intention is to achieve these objectives through the overall EU-UK relationship. Should this not be possible, the United Kingdom will propose specific solutions to address the unique circumstances of the island of Ireland. In the absence of agreed solutions, the United Kingdom will maintain full alignment with those rules of the Internal Market and the Customs Union which, now or in the future, support North-South cooperation, the all- island economy and the protection of the 1998 Agreement.
    50. In the absence of agreed solutions, as set out in the previous paragraph, the United Kingdom will ensure that no new regulatory barriers develop between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom, unless, consistent with the 1998 Agreement, the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly agree that distinct arrangements are appropriate for Northern Ireland. In all circumstances, the United Kingdom will continue to ensure the same unfettered access for Northern Ireland's businesses to the whole of the United Kingdom internal market.


    The EU is now trying to put a radically different interpretation on this, presumably due to pressure from Dublin backed by Selmayr, who doesn't have much understanding of the issues, but in principle the EU have themselves ruled out a border in the Irish Sea.

    Incidentally with regard to your reply yesterday if you can't see that the bank bailout, forced on Ireland by the ECB when even the IMF tried to stop it, has left major ongoing problems masked by a temporary credit binge, I can't force you to. But believe me, Ireland is no more out of the woods than we are and has even fewer options in the event of an emergency (like, oooh, a drunken fool in the European Commission inadvertently imposing a hard border on he island because he was wasted).
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,007
    ydoethur said:

    DavidL said:

    Let’s face it, a result anything like that projection and we are very likely heading back to the polls again with no viable government possible. At best there might be a short interregnum so the Tories lose the benefits of incumbency. But the idea that a viable government could be put together in that way is for the birds.

    The Tories would need to be on 310+ to stay in office, IMHO, and 315+ to be secure.

    Anything less and they could be ambushed and defeated anytime.
    On the numbers in the header the Lib Dems and DUP could offer them a comfortable majority on confidence and supply. Moreover, the Yellows could justify it perfectly legitimately on the basis of their long standing position that the Tories had won the most seats and they would talk to the largest party first. That would not be true of any arrangement involving Labour, who even if the SNP took leave of their senses and joined them wouldn't crack 300.

    However, I can only see such an arrangement lasting two years before fresh elections. Possibly enough time for Labour however, if Corbyn was finally ditched in favour of somebody who can reach out to the centre.

    Next problem - could they find such a person in the current Labour Party?
    I don't think the LDs would go there for a Tory party 12 years in office and after their experiences in coalition last time.

    Most likely, they'd be willing to be courted (informally) on a vote by vote basis, but at a price.
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    Foxy said:

    DavidL said:

    Let’s face it, a result anything like that projection and we are very likely heading back to the polls again with no viable government possible. At best there might be a short interregnum so the Tories lose the benefits of incumbency. But the idea that a viable government could be put together in that way is for the birds.

    I agree, and I do not think there would be a coalition, but rather a minority government. Germany managed without a government for 6 months and the Italians seem to be doing the same. Most functions of government can tick over quite well without anyone at the wheel. Indeed it would return sovereignty to the Legislature rather than the executive. Policy would have to be thrashed out on a bill by bill basis rather than whipped. Sounds good to me.

    Alternatively, a minority party could provide the PM. Who is SNP leader at Westminster now?

    Sovereignty doesn’t belong to the legislature but to the executive (the “Crown-in-Parliament”)
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392

    No doubt many Lib Dems also remember Labour's arrogant assumption that they were basically 'Labour mini-me' when Brown tried to hold on to power in 2010 - even without Corbyn, I doubt that fundamental Labour attitude has shifted.....all part of the progressive alliance (which Mason reckons doesn't need the Lib Dems):

    https://twitter.com/paulmasonnews/status/992408416298651648

    Classic 'bubble' thinking - there are many non-progressive (current and former) Labour voters out there.....


    Indeed. I get that the lds are centre left, and in my experience more like labour than the tories, and I recognise I have drifted more to the right than I was in 2010, but it just seems as though plenty think the situation is tories vs everyone else, when if they have their own identities parties might be more inclined to back another over the tories, but it should depend on what they get from it.

    Of course some seemed to want to be labour lite. Prior to the demise if ukip the best outcome seemed to be if ukip and the c lds broke through with plenty of MPs, then labour and the tories each had ready made junior partners.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,007
    kle4 said:

    Can you imagine Corbyn trying to wrangle together a coalition (not even a formal Coalition) of such a variety of groups? Fair play to the man for boosting the labour vote, his campaigning skills, and his deterumination, but it's not an unfair point that party management has not been his strong suit.

    Were in a situation where the leaders cannot seem to manage without working majorities, but cannot seem likely to get such a majority either. I think Corbyn has a chance of that, if Brexit goes even more poorly, but more likely no one will find it easy.

    Far too many Labour members see the other centre-left parties as wholly owned subsidiaries of the Labour Party.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 66,730
    Foxy said:

    ydoethur said:

    DavidL said:

    Let’s face it, a result anything like that projection and we are very likely heading back to the polls again with no viable government possible. At best there might be a short interregnum so the Tories lose the benefits of incumbency. But the idea that a viable government could be put together in that way is for the birds.

    The Tories would need to be on 310+ to stay in office, IMHO, and 315+ to be secure.

    Anything less and they could be ambushed and defeated anytime.
    On the numbers in the header the Lib Dems and DUP could offer them a comfortable majority on confidence and supply. Moreover, the Yellows could justify it perfectly legitimately on the basis of their long standing position that the Tories had won the most seats and they would talk to the largest party first. That would not be true of any arrangement involving Labour, who even if the SNP took leave of their senses and joined them wouldn't crack 300.

    However, I can only see such an arrangement lasting two years before fresh elections. Possibly enough time for Labour however, if Corbyn was finally ditched in favour of somebody who can reach out to the centre.

    Next problem - could they find such a person in the current Labour Party?
    The price of a C and S arrangement by LDs would be at the very least a referendum on the Brexit deal with a Remain option. I couldnt see that get past JRM.
    Okaaayy...

    Since it couldn't get past reality either, given even if article 50 could be reversed there is no time for an election and then a referendum, I'll agree with you we're on course for a second election if those numbers come up.
  • felixfelix Posts: 15,122
    Sean_F said:

    Overall, the London percentages were Con 31%, Lab 47%, Lib Dem 13%, Others 9%, very similar to 1997.

    So Labour 4 points less than at least one poll I saw and the Tories up 2. Labour did well but off the high water mark.
  • RecidivistRecidivist Posts: 4,679
    Sean_F said:

    kle4 said:

    Even some very sensible and reasonable labour people have uses the word 'betrayal' when talking of the lds, for instance, not standing aside in a close con-lab contest, and i think OGH is right that the level of automatic expectation they would fall into line shows a measure of arrogance and lack of understanding of the fact the lds are their own party, not a Labour sub group.

    That said, there are arrangements that don't require coalition, most ld voters seem to prefer labour to the tories (I'll take his word about them not being fans of Corbyn, though we know some lds are huge fans of his) and being seen to somehow prop up the tories, Even through inaction, woukd probably hurt them. So while it woukd be messy, and not as certain as some in labour act like it would be, I get the feeling they'd play ball.

    Yes theyve been burned by coalition, but I'd have thought the party was still about hoping for some influence. It's not like they expect to win outright.

    If the Lib Dems didn't exist, the Conservatives would hold every one of their English seats, making Labour's task harder, not easier.
    They do exist. And any revival in their fortunes makes the chances of the Tories winning a majority lower.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392
    daodao said:

    No doubt many Lib Dems also remember Labour's arrogant assumption that they were basically 'Labour mini-me' when Brown tried to hold on to power in 2010 - even without Corbyn, I doubt that fundamental Labour attitude has shifted.....all part of the progressive alliance (which Mason reckons doesn't need the Lib Dems):

    https://twitter.com/paulmasonnews/status/992408416298651648

    Classic 'bubble' thinking - there are many non-progressive (current and former) Labour voters out there.....


    The Lie Dems are not suitable partners for a radical "progressive" alliance. It was clear to me from the presentation to the public of the ConDem coalition in the Downing Street Rose Garden inn May 2010, and the fact that this government lasted a full 5 years, how little difference there is between liberal "conservatism" and the LDs.

    While there would be differences between the nationalist parties (PC/SNP) and Labour on the national identity issue, they do at least have similar left-wing views and attitudes to foreign policy.
    How dare the lds make a deal and see it through. Coalition can happen even between very different parties. Sometimes it's necessary. The public did not feel the compromises the lds made were worth any gains, but that they made a feel and such with it (which in fairness in part was necessary due to polling position) is not a sign they are mini tories.
  • Morris_DancerMorris_Dancer Posts: 60,933
    Mr. F, cheers, thought it might've been a little wider outside of London.

    Agree that Momentum add manpower but might reduce strategic sense.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392

    daodao said:

    No doubt many Lib Dems also remember Labour's arrogant assumption that they were basically 'Labour mini-me' when Brown tried to hold on to power in 2010 - even without Corbyn, I doubt that fundamental Labour attitude has shifted.....all part of the progressive alliance (which Mason reckons doesn't need the Lib Dems):

    https://twitter.com/paulmasonnews/status/992408416298651648

    Classic 'bubble' thinking - there are many non-progressive (current and former) Labour voters out there.....


    the nationalist parties (PC/SNP) and Labour.....do at least have similar ....attitudes to foreign policy.
    Labour want to stay in the EU (SNP Policy)?
    Their members do.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 66,730
    For those in the know, a serious question.

    Assuming Norman Lamb retires at the next election, will the LDs be able to hold North Norfolk?
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 44,052
    ydoethur said:

    Foxy said:

    Isn't that what the significance of the Backstop position that May conceeded? Failure to agree on other arrangements (a UK CU) means a NI CU with a customs border in the Irish sea.
    No. These are the relevant clauses:

    49. The United Kingdom remains committed to protecting North-South cooperation and to its guarantee of avoiding a hard border. Any future arrangements must be compatible with these overarching requirements. The United Kingdom's intention is to achieve these objectives through the overall EU-UK relationship. Should this not be possible, the United Kingdom will propose specific solutions to address the unique circumstances of the island of Ireland. In the absence of agreed solutions, the United Kingdom will maintain full alignment with those rules of the Internal Market and the Customs Union which, now or in the future, support North-South cooperation, the all- island economy and the protection of the 1998 Agreement.
    50. In the absence of agreed solutions, as set out in the previous paragraph, the United Kingdom will ensure that no new regulatory barriers develop between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom, unless, consistent with the 1998 Agreement, the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly agree that distinct arrangements are appropriate for Northern Ireland. In all circumstances, the United Kingdom will continue to ensure the same unfettered access for Northern Ireland's businesses to the whole of the United Kingdom internal market.


    The EU is now trying to put a radically different interpretation on this, presumably due to pressure from Dublin backed by Selmayr, who doesn't have much understanding of the issues, but in principle the EU have themselves ruled out a border in the Irish Sea.

    Incidentally with regard to your reply yesterday if you can't see that the bank bailout, forced on Ireland by the ECB when even the IMF tried to stop it, has left major ongoing problems masked by a temporary credit binge, I can't force you to. But believe me, Ireland is no more out of the woods than we are and has even fewer options in the event of an emergency (like, oooh, a drunken fool in the European Commission inadvertently imposing a hard border on he island because he was wasted).
    Sure, Ireland has economic issues, as indeed do all countries. It has however survived the GFC rather well, without bankrupcy and now has an economy forecast to be growing at the second fastest in the EU28.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392

    Titter.....

    Brexit was supposed to be the French language’s chance at a comeback.

    For a brief moment after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, Francophones in Paris and Brussels allowed themselves to believe that French would regain its historical standing as Europe’s language of diplomacy.

    Instead, perhaps paradoxically, the opposite is taking place. Once Britain leaves the EU, only two, relatively small, EU member countries — Ireland and Malta — will still list English as an official language (alongside Irish and Maltese). It would be everyone else’s second language and thus neutral territory. Officials from non-French speaking countries like Poland, Italy or the Czech Republic are particularly eager to see the global lingua franca become the primary means of communication in the EU.


    https://www.politico.eu/article/french-english-language-brexit-european-parliament-ecj-commission-eu-next-waterloo

    Silver linings.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392
    If point 10 is correct (I honestly cannot recall) it is intereating, as surely it would mean either the EU is no more competent than us, or is operating in bad faith. I'd assume the former, because this whole area is a political mess.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 44,052
    ydoethur said:

    For those in the know, a serious question.

    Assuming Norman Lamb retires at the next election, will the LDs be able to hold North Norfolk?

    I do not think he will retire, but his minor TIA may stop him from running as leader again. He retains his passion for politics and was out campaigning within weeks of his illness. He has made a full recovery.

    This is him asking a question about Galileo in Parliament last week:

    https://twitter.com/CommonsSTC/status/992001167583531009?s=19
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392

    ydoethur said:

    Long Read - post Brexit dispute resolution (its complicated) and Selmayr (It's a mess and it's going to get worse):

    https://twitter.com/ceris_training/status/993266327954522117

    That first article is interesting if rather dry. It's surprising to see how ad hoc and incompetent the EU are at drawing up trade treaties and how little thought goes into them. Maybe there's hope for a workable deal yet.

    The second one doesn't pull any punches, does it?
    On the treaties its a hodge-podge - on Selmayr its a disaster waiting to happen:

    this will happen anyway if anyone in a future legal action against a secretary general’s decision decides to contest his competence because he has been illegally appointed. There will be a lot of opportunities, and this could thus produce a huge destabilization of the Commission, for a long period.
    Given the EU'S hatred of instability, and it's defence of its own power, are there really countries or people who would be do angry as to challenge it in b such a way? It would seem counter productive. (I haven't read the whole piece yet, it's too early)
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 59,540
    kle4 said:

    ydoethur said:

    Long Read - post Brexit dispute resolution (its complicated) and Selmayr (It's a mess and it's going to get worse):

    https://twitter.com/ceris_training/status/993266327954522117

    That first article is interesting if rather dry. It's surprising to see how ad hoc and incompetent the EU are at drawing up trade treaties and how little thought goes into them. Maybe there's hope for a workable deal yet.

    The second one doesn't pull any punches, does it?
    On the treaties its a hodge-podge - on Selmayr its a disaster waiting to happen:

    this will happen anyway if anyone in a future legal action against a secretary general’s decision decides to contest his competence because he has been illegally appointed. There will be a lot of opportunities, and this could thus produce a huge destabilization of the Commission, for a long period.
    Given the EU'S hatred of instability, and it's defence of its own power, are there really countries or people who would be do angry as to challenge it in b such a way? It would seem counter productive. (I haven't read the whole piece yet, it's too early)
    Any countries being challenged over the rule of law for starters....Poland...Hungary....
  • FregglesFreggles Posts: 3,486
    kle4 said:

    If point 10 is correct (I honestly cannot recall) it is intereating, as surely it would mean either the EU is no more competent than us, or is operating in bad faith. I'd assume the former, because this whole area is a political mess.
    It's a bit misleading. It agreed to those things in principle but didn't provide a solution, and stated that of a solution was not found that would meet the criteria, NI would have to remain in regulatory alignment with the EU (essentially staying in the CU )
  • daodaodaodao Posts: 821
    kle4 said:

    daodao said:

    No doubt many Lib Dems also remember Labour's arrogant assumption that they were basically 'Labour mini-me' when Brown tried to hold on to power in 2010 - even without Corbyn, I doubt that fundamental Labour attitude has shifted.....all part of the progressive alliance (which Mason reckons doesn't need the Lib Dems):

    https://twitter.com/paulmasonnews/status/992408416298651648

    Classic 'bubble' thinking - there are many non-progressive (current and former) Labour voters out there.....


    The Lie Dems are not suitable partners for a radical "progressive" alliance. It was clear to me from the presentation to the public of the ConDem coalition in the Downing Street Rose Garden inn May 2010, and the fact that this government lasted a full 5 years, how little difference there is between liberal "conservatism" and the LDs.

    While there would be differences between the nationalist parties (PC/SNP) and Labour on the national identity issue, they do at least have similar left-wing views and attitudes to foreign policy.
    How dare the lds make a deal and see it through. Coalition can happen even between very different parties. Sometimes it's necessary. The public did not feel the compromises the lds made were worth any gains, but that they made a feel and such with it (which in fairness in part was necessary due to polling position) is not a sign they are mini tories.
    I didn't say that the LDs were wrong to form a coalition with the Tories in 2010, merely that they are on the same side as the Tories on the fundamental question of "big state good vs bad". The LDs support capitalism, albeit with safeguards. The Socialist view espoused by Labour is that capitalism is intrinsically bad, but to be tolerated under strict regulation.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392
    daodao said:

    kle4 said:

    daodao said:

    No doubt many Lib Dems also remember Labour's arrogant assumption that they were basically 'Labour mini-me' when Brown tried to hold on to power in 2010 - even without Corbyn, I doubt that fundamental Labour attitude has shifted.....all part of the progressive alliance (which Mason reckons doesn't need the Lib Dems):

    https://twitter.com/paulmasonnews/status/992408416298651648

    Classic 'bubble' thinking - there are many non-progressive (current and former) Labour voters out there.....


    The Lie Dems are not suitable partners for a radical "progressive" alliance. It was clear to me from the presentation to the public of the ConDem coalition in the Downing Street Rose Garden inn May 2010, and the fact that this government lasted a full 5 years, how little difference there is between liberal "conservatism" and the LDs.

    While there would be differences between the nationalist parties (PC/SNP) and Labour on the national identity issue, they do at least have similar left-wing views and attitudes to foreign policy.
    How dare the lds make a deal and see it through. Coalition can happen even between very different parties. Sometimes it's necessary. The public did not feel the compromises the lds made were worth any gains, but that they made a feel and such with it (which in fairness in part was necessary due to polling position) is not a sign they are mini tories.
    I didn't say that the LDs were wrong to form a coalition with the Tories in 2010, merely that they are on the same side as the Tories on the fundamental question of "big state good vs bad". The LDs support capitalism, albeit with safeguards. The Socialist view espoused by Labour is that capitalism is intrinsically bad, but to be tolerated under strict regulation.
    Ah, I see. I'd never really thought of it that way. Certainly the red liberals among them don't seem to see it that way. And until recently labour didn't seem to be saying capitalism is intrinsically bad, not in my lifetime.
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    Freggles said:

    kle4 said:

    If point 10 is correct (I honestly cannot recall) it is intereating, as surely it would mean either the EU is no more competent than us, or is operating in bad faith. I'd assume the former, because this whole area is a political mess.
    It's a bit misleading. It agreed to those things in principle but didn't provide a solution, and stated that of a solution was not found that would meet the criteria, NI would have to remain in regulatory alignment with the EU (essentially staying in the CU )
    It was only regulatory alignment (or “not divergence”) in a few specific areas (I think there are 5?) not over everything
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392

    kle4 said:

    ydoethur said:

    Long Read - post Brexit dispute resolution (its complicated) and Selmayr (It's a mess and it's going to get worse):

    https://twitter.com/ceris_training/status/993266327954522117

    That first article is interesting if rather dry. It's surprising to see how ad hoc and incompetent the EU are at drawing up trade treaties and how little thought goes into them. Maybe there's hope for a workable deal yet.

    The second one doesn't pull any punches, does it?
    On the treaties its a hodge-podge - on Selmayr its a disaster waiting to happen:

    this will happen anyway if anyone in a future legal action against a secretary general’s decision decides to contest his competence because he has been illegally appointed. There will be a lot of opportunities, and this could thus produce a huge destabilization of the Commission, for a long period.
    Given the EU'S hatred of instability, and it's defence of its own power, are there really countries or people who would be do angry as to challenge it in b such a way? It would seem counter productive. (I haven't read the whole piece yet, it's too early)
    Any countries being challenged over the rule of law for starters....Poland...Hungary....
    The former has backed down though, haven't they? I can see unhappy countries try to stare down the EU up to a point, to rock the boat as it were, but woukd they drill a hole in the boat?
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 44,052
    Freggles said:

    kle4 said:

    If point 10 is correct (I honestly cannot recall) it is intereating, as surely it would mean either the EU is no more competent than us, or is operating in bad faith. I'd assume the former, because this whole area is a political mess.
    It's a bit misleading. It agreed to those things in principle but didn't provide a solution, and stated that of a solution was not found that would meet the criteria, NI would have to remain in regulatory alignment with the EU (essentially staying in the CU )
    The Belfast Telegraph on the possibility of an Irish Sea border, and the backstop plan:

    https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/brexit-border-could-move-to-irish-sea-as-eu-backstop-plan-that-angered-may-remains-in-place-36720522.html

    Our Civil Servants do have contingency plans for such an Irish Sea border too:

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/04/irish-border-backup-plan-suggests-checks-ports-airports-brexit

    Seems the only viable option to me, apart from full UK CU.
  • Sean_FSean_F Posts: 35,758
    edited May 2018

    Sean_F said:

    kle4 said:

    Even some very sensible and reasonable labour people have uses the word 'betrayal' when talking of the lds, for instance, not standing aside in a close con-lab contest, and i think OGH is right that the level of automatic expectation they would fall into line shows a measure of arrogance and lack of understanding of the fact the lds are their own party, not a Labour sub group.

    That said, there are arrangements that don't require coalition, most ld voters seem to prefer labour to the tories (I'll take his word about them not being fans of Corbyn, though we know some lds are huge fans of his) and being seen to somehow prop up the tories, Even through inaction, woukd probably hurt them. So while it woukd be messy, and not as certain as some in labour act like it would be, I get the feeling they'd play ball.

    Yes theyve been burned by coalition, but I'd have thought the party was still about hoping for some influence. It's not like they expect to win outright.

    If the Lib Dems didn't exist, the Conservatives would hold every one of their English seats, making Labour's task harder, not easier.
    They do exist. And any revival in their fortunes makes the chances of the Tories winning a majority lower.
    That is so. I was rebutting the argument that the Lib Dems split the left wing vote.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 47,080
    kle4 said:

    daodao said:

    kle4 said:

    daodao said:

    No doubt many Lib Dems also remember Labour's arrogant assumption that they were basically 'Labour mini-me' when Brown tried to hold on to power in 2010 - even without Corbyn, I doubt that fundamental Labour attitude has shifted.....all part of the progressive alliance (which Mason reckons doesn't need the Lib Dems):

    https://twitter.com/paulmasonnews/status/992408416298651648

    Classic 'bubble' thinking - there are many non-progressive (current and former) Labour voters out there.....


    The Lie Dems are not suitable partners for a radical "progressive" alliance. It was clear to me from the presentation to the public of the ConDem coalition in the Downing Street Rose Garden inn May 2010, and the fact that this government lasted a full 5 years, how little difference there is between liberal "conservatism" and the LDs.

    While there would be differences between the nationalist parties (PC/SNP) and Labour on the national identity issue, they do at least have similar left-wing views and attitudes to foreign policy.
    How dare the lds make a deal and see it through. Coalition can happen even between very different parties. Sometimes it's necessary. The public did not feel the compromises the lds made were worth any gains, but that they made a feel and such with it (which in fairness in part was necessary due to polling position) is not a sign they are mini tories.
    I didn't say that the LDs were wrong to form a coalition with the Tories in 2010, merely that they are on the same side as the Tories on the fundamental question of "big state good vs bad". The LDs support capitalism, albeit with safeguards. The Socialist view espoused by Labour is that capitalism is intrinsically bad, but to be tolerated under strict regulation.
    Ah, I see. I'd never really thought of it that way. Certainly the red liberals among them don't seem to see it that way. And until recently labour didn't seem to be saying capitalism is intrinsically bad, not in my lifetime.
    And it's not really right. Certainly, liberals see society as fundamentally consisting of individuals, rather than of collective interests as do socialists. But we also believe in the role of the state intervention to deliver fairness and equality of opportunity, and do not share conservatives' small state agenda.
  • IanB2IanB2 Posts: 47,080
    ydoethur said:

    For those in the know, a serious question.

    Assuming Norman Lamb retires at the next election, will the LDs be able to hold North Norfolk?

    LibDems don't have a great track record in 'handing on' seats to successor candidates, but it has happened. 'Twas how we came by Clegg, after all.
  • not_on_firenot_on_fire Posts: 4,340
    kle4 said:

    If point 10 is correct (I honestly cannot recall) it is intereating, as surely it would mean either the EU is no more competent than us, or is operating in bad faith. I'd assume the former, because this whole area is a political mess.
    It’s not correct. The arrangement the EU and Uk came to in Dec was a backstop position if no agreement on Customs was made.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,007
    kle4 said:

    daodao said:

    kle4 said:

    daodao said:

    No doubt many Lib Dems also remember Labour's arrogant assumption that they were basically 'Labour mini-me' when Brown tried to hold on to power in 2010 - even without Corbyn, I doubt that fundamental Labour attitude has shifted.....all part of the progressive alliance (which Mason reckons doesn't need the Lib Dems):

    https://twitter.com/paulmasonnews/status/992408416298651648

    Classic 'bubble' thinking - there are many non-progressive (current and former) Labour voters out there.....


    The Lie Dems are not suitable partners for a radical "progressive" alliance. It was clear to me from the presentation to the public of the ConDem coalition in the Downing Street Rose Garden inn May 2010, and the fact that this government lasted a full 5 years, how little difference there is between liberal "conservatism" and the LDs.

    While there would be differences between the nationalist parties (PC/SNP) and Labour on the national identity issue, they do at least have similar left-wing views and attitudes to foreign policy.
    How dare the lds make a deal and see it through. Coalition can happen even between very different parties. Sometimes it's necessary. The public did not feel the compromises the lds made were worth any gains, but that they made a feel and such with it (which in fairness in part was necessary due to polling position) is not a sign they are mini tories.
    I didn't say that the LDs were wrong to form a coalition with the Tories in 2010, merely that they are on the same side as the Tories on the fundamental question of "big state good vs bad". The LDs support capitalism, albeit with safeguards. The Socialist view espoused by Labour is that capitalism is intrinsically bad, but to be tolerated under strict regulation.
    Ah, I see. I'd never really thought of it that way. Certainly the red liberals among them don't seem to see it that way. And until recently labour didn't seem to be saying capitalism is intrinsically bad, not in my lifetime.
    I think red liberals are basically interested in a non-socialist form of centre-left politics that isn’t dominated and driven by unionised labour.
  • Casino_RoyaleCasino_Royale Posts: 55,007

    ydoethur said:

    Long Read - post Brexit dispute resolution (its complicated) and Selmayr (It's a mess and it's going to get worse):

    https://twitter.com/ceris_training/status/993266327954522117

    That first article is interesting if rather dry. It's surprising to see how ad hoc and incompetent the EU are at drawing up trade treaties and how little thought goes into them. Maybe there's hope for a workable deal yet.

    The second one doesn't pull any punches, does it?
    On the treaties its a hodge-podge - on Selmayr its a disaster waiting to happen:

    this will happen anyway if anyone in a future legal action against a secretary general’s decision decides to contest his competence because he has been illegally appointed. There will be a lot of opportunities, and this could thus produce a huge destabilization of the Commission, for a long period.
    Selmayr makes WilliamGlenn look like Bill Cash.
  • SandyRentoolSandyRentool Posts: 20,392
    Nice to see The Times carrying a front page advertisement for Labour Leave.

  • Sean_FSean_F Posts: 35,758

    Mr. F, cheers, thought it might've been a little wider outside of London.

    Agree that Momentum add manpower but might reduce strategic sense.

    Although London represented 40% of the seats contested on Thursday, it only represents 13% of England, so it's heavily weighted down to get NEV.

    Going back to 1997, it's notable how much London has diverged from the rest of England. Then, Labour had a 13% lead outside London.
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    Foxy said:

    Freggles said:

    kle4 said:

    If point 10 is correct (I honestly cannot recall) it is intereating, as surely it would mean either the EU is no more competent than us, or is operating in bad faith. I'd assume the former, because this whole area is a political mess.
    It's a bit misleading. It agreed to those things in principle but didn't provide a solution, and stated that of a solution was not found that would meet the criteria, NI would have to remain in regulatory alignment with the EU (essentially staying in the CU )
    The Belfast Telegraph on the possibility of an Irish Sea border, and the backstop plan:

    https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/brexit-border-could-move-to-irish-sea-as-eu-backstop-plan-that-angered-may-remains-in-place-36720522.html

    Our Civil Servants do have contingency plans for such an Irish Sea border too:

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/04/irish-border-backup-plan-suggests-checks-ports-airports-brexit

    Seems the only viable option to me, apart from full UK CU.
    The invisible border concept is entirely viable in principle. It’s just the EU didn’t want to do the work jointly. Presumably because they thought they could “weaponise the Irish border” in negotiations
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392
    Charles said:

    Foxy said:

    Freggles said:

    kle4 said:

    If point 10 is correct (I honestly cannot recall) it is intereating, as surely it would mean either the EU is no more competent than us, or is operating in bad faith. I'd assume the former, because this whole area is a political mess.
    It's a bit misleading. It agreed to those things in principle but didn't provide a solution, and stated that of a solution was not found that would meet the criteria, NI would have to remain in regulatory alignment with the EU (essentially staying in the CU )
    The Belfast Telegraph on the possibility of an Irish Sea border, and the backstop plan:

    https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/brexit-border-could-move-to-irish-sea-as-eu-backstop-plan-that-angered-may-remains-in-place-36720522.html

    Our Civil Servants do have contingency plans for such an Irish Sea border too:

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/04/irish-border-backup-plan-suggests-checks-ports-airports-brexit

    Seems the only viable option to me, apart from full UK CU.
    The invisible border concept is entirely viable in principle. It’s just the EU didn’t want to do the work jointly. Presumably because they thought they could “weaponise the Irish border” in negotiations
    Successfully, as it turns out.
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    kle4 said:

    Charles said:

    Foxy said:

    Freggles said:

    kle4 said:

    If point 10 is correct (I honestly cannot recall) it is intereating, as surely it would mean either the EU is no more competent than us, or is operating in bad faith. I'd assume the former, because this whole area is a political mess.
    It's a bit misleading. It agreed to those things in principle but didn't provide a solution, and stated that of a solution was not found that would meet the criteria, NI would have to remain in regulatory alignment with the EU (essentially staying in the CU )
    The Belfast Telegraph on the possibility of an Irish Sea border, and the backstop plan:

    https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/brexit-border-could-move-to-irish-sea-as-eu-backstop-plan-that-angered-may-remains-in-place-36720522.html

    Our Civil Servants do have contingency plans for such an Irish Sea border too:

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/04/irish-border-backup-plan-suggests-checks-ports-airports-brexit

    Seems the only viable option to me, apart from full UK CU.
    The invisible border concept is entirely viable in principle. It’s just the EU didn’t want to do the work jointly. Presumably because they thought they could “weaponise the Irish border” in negotiations
    Successfully, as it turns out.
    Not clear.

  • murali_smurali_s Posts: 3,037
    edited May 2018
    felix said:

    Sean_F said:

    Overall, the London percentages were Con 31%, Lab 47%, Lib Dem 13%, Others 9%, very similar to 1997.

    So Labour 4 points less than at least one poll I saw and the Tories up 2. Labour did well but off the high water mark.
    To be honest, a rather meh performance from Labour - I think a disproportionate number of Labour supporters stayed at home which rather goes against the narrative that Corbyn / Momentum will get the vote out. A 22% lead at GE17 has been reduced to 16%. Yes, it's not quite an apples vs apples comparison but Labour is *not* making progress in London.
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 59,540
    Charles said:

    Foxy said:

    Freggles said:

    kle4 said:

    If point 10 is correct (I honestly cannot recall) it is intereating, as surely it would mean either the EU is no more competent than us, or is operating in bad faith. I'd assume the former, because this whole area is a political mess.
    It's a bit misleading. It agreed to those things in principle but didn't provide a solution, and stated that of a solution was not found that would meet the criteria, NI would have to remain in regulatory alignment with the EU (essentially staying in the CU )
    The Belfast Telegraph on the possibility of an Irish Sea border, and the backstop plan:

    https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/brexit-border-could-move-to-irish-sea-as-eu-backstop-plan-that-angered-may-remains-in-place-36720522.html

    Our Civil Servants do have contingency plans for such an Irish Sea border too:

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/04/irish-border-backup-plan-suggests-checks-ports-airports-brexit

    Seems the only viable option to me, apart from full UK CU.
    The invisible border concept is entirely viable in principle. It’s just the EU didn’t want to do the work jointly. Presumably because they thought they could “weaponise the Irish border” in negotiations
    And Varadkar stopped the work on the border Kenny had started....'not our problem'....
  • TykejohnnoTykejohnno Posts: 7,362

    Well, my 80th birthday celebrations of yesterday are over; nice things were said about me, drink was taken and cake was eaten and all that’s left is to sort out the bills.

    On topic, dn’t those figures mean a conntinuation of the current Con plus DUP C&S arrangments?

    Congrats Mr Cole, hope you enjoyed the day.

    What a win,Harry Brook- star in the making ;-)
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 59,540
    edited May 2018

    kle4 said:

    If point 10 is correct (I honestly cannot recall) it is intereating, as surely it would mean either the EU is no more competent than us, or is operating in bad faith. I'd assume the former, because this whole area is a political mess.
    It’s not correct. The arrangement the EU and Uk came to in Dec was a backstop position if no agreement on Customs was made.

    Gove:

    https://twitter.com/michaelgove/status/993254022068035584
    https://twitter.com/JGForsyth/status/993212477025456128
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 44,052
    Charles said:

    Foxy said:

    Freggles said:

    kle4 said:

    If point 10 is correct (I honestly cannot recall) it is intereating, as surely it would mean either the EU is no more competent than us, or is operating in bad faith. I'd assume the former, because this whole area is a political mess.
    It's a bit misleading. It agreed to those things in principle but didn't provide a solution, and stated that of a solution was not found that would meet the criteria, NI would have to remain in regulatory alignment with the EU (essentially staying in the CU )
    The Belfast Telegraph on the possibility of an Irish Sea border, and the backstop plan:

    https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/brexit-border-could-move-to-irish-sea-as-eu-backstop-plan-that-angered-may-remains-in-place-36720522.html

    Our Civil Servants do have contingency plans for such an Irish Sea border too:

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/04/irish-border-backup-plan-suggests-checks-ports-airports-brexit

    Seems the only viable option to me, apart from full UK CU.
    The invisible border concept is entirely viable in principle. It’s just the EU didn’t want to do the work jointly. Presumably because they thought they could “weaponise the Irish border” in negotiations
    The whole point of "Take back Control of Our Borders" is to have significant barriers to control entry of goods and people. Taking back control of borders by not policing them is an absurdity. We either need to have proper customs borders or to stay in the CU, whether a NI CU or a UK CU. Qe should have been building the human and physical infrastructure of Customs over the last 2 years. It is going to be a tall order by the end of Transition, which is likely to mean a forced continuity CU by default.

    It is crazy that 2 years on and 10 months to go that the Brexiteers have no plan other than winging it.
  • Dura_AceDura_Ace Posts: 12,880

    Titter.....

    Brexit was supposed to be the French language’s chance at a comeback.

    For a brief moment after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, Francophones in Paris and Brussels allowed themselves to believe that French would regain its historical standing as Europe’s language of diplomacy.

    Instead, perhaps paradoxically, the opposite is taking place. Once Britain leaves the EU, only two, relatively small, EU member countries — Ireland and Malta — will still list English as an official language (alongside Irish and Maltese). It would be everyone else’s second language and thus neutral territory. Officials from non-French speaking countries like Poland, Italy or the Czech Republic are particularly eager to see the global lingua franca become the primary means of communication in the EU.


    https://www.politico.eu/article/french-english-language-brexit-european-parliament-ecj-commission-eu-next-waterloo

    English is a very poor choice as a language of diplomacy and legislation due to the imprecision that comes from its manifold use of parataxis. Eg the omission of any type of connecting modifier between related nouns, optional elision of the conjunction "that" in subordinate clauses, omission of the relative pronoun when it serves as the object of a relative clause, use of the infinitive with an oblique pronoun in a subordinate clause. (There are lots more).

    From a purely technical perspective French or Greek would be far superior as the working language of the EU.
  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 44,052

    Charles said:

    Foxy said:

    Freggles said:

    kle4 said:

    If point 10 is correct (I honestly cannot recall) it is intereating, as surely it would mean either the EU is no more competent than us, or is operating in bad faith. I'd assume the former, because this whole area is a political mess.
    It's a bit misleading. It agreed to those things in principle but didn't provide a solution, and stated that of a solution was not found that would meet the criteria, NI would have to remain in regulatory alignment with the EU (essentially staying in the CU )
    The Belfast Telegraph on the possibility of an Irish Sea border, and the backstop plan:

    https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/brexit-border-could-move-to-irish-sea-as-eu-backstop-plan-that-angered-may-remains-in-place-36720522.html

    Our Civil Servants do have contingency plans for such an Irish Sea border too:

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/04/irish-border-backup-plan-suggests-checks-ports-airports-brexit

    Seems the only viable option to me, apart from full UK CU.
    The invisible border concept is entirely viable in principle. It’s just the EU didn’t want to do the work jointly. Presumably because they thought they could “weaponise the Irish border” in negotiations
    And Varadkar stopped the work on the border Kenny had started....'not our problem'....
    The Dail has Sovereignty too!

    In a negotiation, we do not get to pick the opposing team.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392
    Dura_Ace said:

    Titter.....

    Brexit was supposed to be the French language’s chance at a comeback.

    For a brief moment after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, Francophones in Paris and Brussels allowed themselves to believe that French would regain its historical standing as Europe’s language of diplomacy.

    Instead, perhaps paradoxically, the opposite is taking place. Once Britain leaves the EU, only two, relatively small, EU member countries — Ireland and Malta — will still list English as an official language (alongside Irish and Maltese). It would be everyone else’s second language and thus neutral territory. Officials from non-French speaking countries like Poland, Italy or the Czech Republic are particularly eager to see the global lingua franca become the primary means of communication in the EU.


    https://www.politico.eu/article/french-english-language-brexit-european-parliament-ecj-commission-eu-next-waterloo

    English is a very poor choice as a language of diplomacy and legislation due to the imprecision that comes from its manifold use of parataxis. Eg the omission of any type of connecting modifier between related nouns, optional elision of the conjunction "that" in subordinate clauses, omission of the relative pronoun when it serves as the object of a relative clause, use of the infinitive with an oblique pronoun in a subordinate clause. (There are lots more).

    From a purely technical perspective French or Greek would be far superior as the working language of the EU.
    And the DVORAK keyboard is more efficient than a QWERTY keyboard, but the loss of efficiency is made up for by convenience because (for English speaking users anyway) it is what most people already use. Fair play to the French and a few allies for advancing the language, along with any advantages, but day to day usage and convenience leans toward English.
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 59,540
    Foxy said:

    Charles said:

    Foxy said:

    Freggles said:

    kle4 said:

    If point 10 is correct (I honestly cannot recall) it is intereating, as surely it would mean either the EU is no more competent than us, or is operating in bad faith. I'd assume the former, because this whole area is a political mess.
    It's a bit misleading. It agreed to those things in principle but didn't provide a solution, and stated that of a solution was not found that would meet the criteria, NI would have to remain in regulatory alignment with the EU (essentially staying in the CU )
    The Belfast Telegraph on the possibility of an Irish Sea border, and the backstop plan:

    https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/brexit-border-could-move-to-irish-sea-as-eu-backstop-plan-that-angered-may-remains-in-place-36720522.html

    Our Civil Servants do have contingency plans for such an Irish Sea border too:

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/04/irish-border-backup-plan-suggests-checks-ports-airports-brexit

    Seems the only viable option to me, apart from full UK CU.
    The invisible border concept is entirely viable in principle. It’s just the EU didn’t want to do the work jointly. Presumably because they thought they could “weaponise the Irish border” in negotiations
    The whole point of "Take back Control of Our Borders" is to have significant barriers to control entry of goods and people
    Surely the issue was more 'people' than 'goods'? I don't recall 'unfettered importation of Chinese tat' as a voter concern..

    No one suggested ending the Common Travel Area which has been with us for nearly a century - so the Northern Ireland/Ireland border was never proposed as a point of control.

    Similarly, unlike the EU, there has been no government proposal to require visas or pre-clearance of EU citizens to the UK post-Brexit.

    The issue is not of 'entry' but of 'settlement and right to work and access to services'.

    But I'm sure you know that and hope muddling them will lead to us staying in a CU.
  • kle4kle4 Posts: 91,392
    Foxy said:

    Charles said:

    Foxy said:

    Freggles said:

    kle4 said:

    If point 10 is correct (I honestly cannot recall) it is intereating, as surely it would mean either the EU is no more competent than us, or is operating in bad faith. I'd assume the former, because this whole area is a political mess.
    It's a bit misleading. It agreed to those things in principle but didn't provide a solution, and stated that of a solution was not found that would meet the criteria, NI would have to remain in regulatory alignment with the EU (essentially staying in the CU )
    The Belfast Telegraph on the possibility of an Irish Sea border, and the backstop plan:

    https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/brexit-border-could-move-to-irish-sea-as-eu-backstop-plan-that-angered-may-remains-in-place-36720522.html

    Our Civil Servants do have contingency plans for such an Irish Sea border too:

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/04/irish-border-backup-plan-suggests-checks-ports-airports-brexit

    Seems the only viable option to me, apart from full UK CU.
    The invisible border concept is entirely viable in principle. It’s just the EU didn’t want to do the work jointly. Presumably because they thought they could “weaponise the Irish border” in negotiations
    And Varadkar stopped the work on the border Kenny had started....'not our problem'....
    The Dail has Sovereignty too!
    Well we can soon put a stop to that! Scramble the fighters...
  • CharlesCharles Posts: 35,758
    Foxy said:

    Charles said:

    Foxy said:

    Freggles said:

    kle4 said:

    If point 10 is correct (I honestly cannot recall) it is intereating, as surely it would mean either the EU is no more competent than us, or is operating in bad faith. I'd assume the former, because this whole area is a political mess.
    It's a bit misleading. It agreed to those things in principle but didn't provide a solution, and stated that of a solution was not found that would meet the criteria, NI would have to remain in regulatory alignment with the EU (essentially staying in the CU )
    The Belfast Telegraph on the possibility of an Irish Sea border, and the backstop plan:

    https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/brexit-border-could-move-to-irish-sea-as-eu-backstop-plan-that-angered-may-remains-in-place-36720522.html

    Our Civil Servants do have contingency plans for such an Irish Sea border too:

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/04/irish-border-backup-plan-suggests-checks-ports-airports-brexit

    Seems the only viable option to me, apart from full UK CU.
    The invisible border concept is entirely viable in principle. It’s just the EU didn’t want to do the work jointly. Presumably because they thought they could “weaponise the Irish border” in negotiations
    The whole point of "Take back Control of Our Borders" is to have significant barriers to control entry of goods and people. Taking back control of borders by not policing them is an absurdity. We either need to have proper customs borders or to stay in the CU, whether a NI CU or a UK CU. Qe should have been building the human and physical infrastructure of Customs over the last 2 years. It is going to be a tall order by the end of Transition, which is likely to mean a forced continuity CU by default.

    It is crazy that 2 years on and 10 months to go that the Brexiteers have no plan other than winging it.
    The invisible border doesn’t mean not policing them. It means prefiling, trusted traveller status, intelligence led activity and spot checks.
  • RecidivistRecidivist Posts: 4,679
    Dura_Ace said:

    Titter.....

    Brexit was supposed to be the French language’s chance at a comeback.

    For a brief moment after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, Francophones in Paris and Brussels allowed themselves to believe that French would regain its historical standing as Europe’s language of diplomacy.

    Instead, perhaps paradoxically, the opposite is taking place. Once Britain leaves the EU, only two, relatively small, EU member countries — Ireland and Malta — will still list English as an official language (alongside Irish and Maltese). It would be everyone else’s second language and thus neutral territory. Officials from non-French speaking countries like Poland, Italy or the Czech Republic are particularly eager to see the global lingua franca become the primary means of communication in the EU.


    https://www.politico.eu/article/french-english-language-brexit-european-parliament-ecj-commission-eu-next-waterloo

    English is a very poor choice as a language of diplomacy and legislation due to the imprecision that comes from its manifold use of parataxis. Eg the omission of any type of connecting modifier between related nouns, optional elision of the conjunction "that" in subordinate clauses, omission of the relative pronoun when it serves as the object of a relative clause, use of the infinitive with an oblique pronoun in a subordinate clause. (There are lots more).

    From a purely technical perspective French or Greek would be far superior as the working language of the EU.
    Okay, when you put it that way....
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 59,540
    Dura_Ace said:

    Titter.....

    Brexit was supposed to be the French language’s chance at a comeback.

    For a brief moment after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, Francophones in Paris and Brussels allowed themselves to believe that French would regain its historical standing as Europe’s language of diplomacy.

    Instead, perhaps paradoxically, the opposite is taking place. Once Britain leaves the EU, only two, relatively small, EU member countries — Ireland and Malta — will still list English as an official language (alongside Irish and Maltese). It would be everyone else’s second language and thus neutral territory. Officials from non-French speaking countries like Poland, Italy or the Czech Republic are particularly eager to see the global lingua franca become the primary means of communication in the EU.


    https://www.politico.eu/article/french-english-language-brexit-european-parliament-ecj-commission-eu-next-waterloo

    English is a very poor choice as a language of diplomacy and legislation due to the imprecision that comes from its manifold use of parataxis. Eg the omission of any type of connecting modifier between related nouns, optional elision of the conjunction "that" in subordinate clauses, omission of the relative pronoun when it serves as the object of a relative clause, use of the infinitive with an oblique pronoun in a subordinate clause. (There are lots more).

    From a purely technical perspective French or Greek would be far superior as the working language of the EU.

    Tant pis.
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 75,841
    murali_s said:

    felix said:

    Sean_F said:

    Overall, the London percentages were Con 31%, Lab 47%, Lib Dem 13%, Others 9%, very similar to 1997.

    So Labour 4 points less than at least one poll I saw and the Tories up 2. Labour did well but off the high water mark.
    To be honest, a rather meh performance from Labour - I think a disproportionate number of Labour supporters stayed at home which rather goes against the narrative that Corbyn / Momentum will get the vote out. A 22% lead at GE17 has been reduced to 16%. Yes, it's not quite an apples vs apples comparison but Labour is *not* making progress in London.
    2017 looking like a local high tide for Labour in London
  • RogerRoger Posts: 18,891
    Dura_Ace said:

    Titter.....

    Brexit was supposed to be the French language’s chance at a comeback.

    For a brief moment after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, Francophones in Paris and Brussels allowed themselves to believe that French would regain its historical standing as Europe’s language of diplomacy.

    Instead, perhaps paradoxically, the opposite is taking place. Once Britain leaves the EU, only two, relatively small, EU member countries — Ireland and Malta — will still list English as an official language (alongside Irish and Maltese). It would be everyone else’s second language and thus neutral territory. Officials from non-French speaking countries like Poland, Italy or the Czech Republic are particularly eager to see the global lingua franca become the primary means of communication in the EU.


    https://www.politico.eu/article/french-english-language-brexit-european-parliament-ecj-commission-eu-next-waterloo

    English is a very poor choice as a language of diplomacy and legislation due to the imprecision that comes from its manifold use of parataxis. Eg the omission of any type of connecting modifier between related nouns, optional elision of the conjunction "that" in subordinate clauses, omission of the relative pronoun when it serves as the object of a relative clause, use of the infinitive with an oblique pronoun in a subordinate clause. (There are lots more).

    From a purely technical perspective French or Greek would be far superior as the working language of the EU.
    There's not much you can't learn from a quick flick through PB!
  • CarlottaVanceCarlottaVance Posts: 59,540
    Foxy said:

    Charles said:

    Foxy said:

    Freggles said:

    kle4 said:

    If point 10 is correct (I honestly cannot recall) it is intereating, as surely it would mean either the EU is no more competent than us, or is operating in bad faith. I'd assume the former, because this whole area is a political mess.
    It's a bit misleading. It agreed to those things in principle but didn't provide a solution, and stated that of a solution was not found that would meet the criteria, NI would have to remain in regulatory alignment with the EU (essentially staying in the CU )
    The Belfast Telegraph on the possibility of an Irish Sea border, and the backstop plan:

    https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/brexit-border-could-move-to-irish-sea-as-eu-backstop-plan-that-angered-may-remains-in-place-36720522.html

    Our Civil Servants do have contingency plans for such an Irish Sea border too:

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/04/irish-border-backup-plan-suggests-checks-ports-airports-brexit

    Seems the only viable option to me, apart from full UK CU.
    The invisible border concept is entirely viable in principle. It’s just the EU didn’t want to do the work jointly. Presumably because they thought they could “weaponise the Irish border” in negotiations
    And Varadkar stopped the work on the border Kenny had started....'not our problem'....
    The Dail has Sovereignty too!

    In a negotiation, we do not get to pick the opposing team.
    Why do you think he stopped the work? Surely cooperation is more fruitful?
  • PulpstarPulpstar Posts: 75,841
    Dura_Ace said:

    Titter.....

    Brexit was supposed to be the French language’s chance at a comeback.

    For a brief moment after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, Francophones in Paris and Brussels allowed themselves to believe that French would regain its historical standing as Europe’s language of diplomacy.

    Instead, perhaps paradoxically, the opposite is taking place. Once Britain leaves the EU, only two, relatively small, EU member countries — Ireland and Malta — will still list English as an official language (alongside Irish and Maltese). It would be everyone else’s second language and thus neutral territory. Officials from non-French speaking countries like Poland, Italy or the Czech Republic are particularly eager to see the global lingua franca become the primary means of communication in the EU.


    https://www.politico.eu/article/french-english-language-brexit-european-parliament-ecj-commission-eu-next-waterloo

    English is a very poor choice as a language of diplomacy and legislation due to the imprecision that comes from its manifold use of parataxis. Eg the omission of any type of connecting modifier between related nouns, optional elision of the conjunction "that" in subordinate clauses, omission of the relative pronoun when it serves as the object of a relative clause, use of the infinitive with an oblique pronoun in a subordinate clause. (There are lots more).

    From a purely technical perspective French or Greek would be far superior as the working language of the EU.
    I can't see the lawyers wanting to let go of a.language with all those features though
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 66,730
    kle4 said:

    Dura_Ace said:

    Titter.....

    Brexit was supposed to be the French language’s chance at a comeback.

    For a brief moment after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union, Francophones in Paris and Brussels allowed themselves to believe that French would regain its historical standing as Europe’s language of diplomacy.

    Instead, perhaps paradoxically, the opposite is taking place. Once Britain leaves the EU, only two, relatively small, EU member countries — Ireland and Malta — will still list English as an official language (alongside Irish and Maltese). It would be everyone else’s second language and thus neutral territory. Officials from non-French speaking countries like Poland, Italy or the Czech Republic are particularly eager to see the global lingua franca become the primary means of communication in the EU.


    https://www.politico.eu/article/french-english-language-brexit-european-parliament-ecj-commission-eu-next-waterloo

    English is a very poor choice as a language of diplomacy and legislation due to the imprecision that comes from its manifold use of parataxis. Eg the omission of any type of connecting modifier between related nouns, optional elision of the conjunction "that" in subordinate clauses, omission of the relative pronoun when it serves as the object of a relative clause, use of the infinitive with an oblique pronoun in a subordinate clause. (There are lots more).

    From a purely technical perspective French or Greek would be far superior as the working language of the EU.
    And the DVORAK keyboard is more efficient than a QWERTY keyboard, but the loss of efficiency is made up for by convenience because (for English speaking users anyway) it is what most people already use. Fair play to the French and a few allies for advancing the language, along with any advantages, but day to day usage and convenience leans toward English.
    If they wanted a language of subtlety, grace, poetry and nuance, I would argue for Italian rather than French anyway.

    And for a language of precision, care and thought, it would have to be German.
  • ydoethurydoethur Posts: 66,730
    edited May 2018
    Foxy said:

    Sure, Ireland has economic issues, as indeed do all countries. It has however just about survived the GFC rather well, without bankrupcy so far and now has an economy forecast to be growing at the second fastest in the EU28 due to a return of the housing crisis that caused the issues in the first place.

    Some subtle alterations there Foxy...
  • RecidivistRecidivist Posts: 4,679
    I know the polls aren't moving much, but the argument is very much not going Brexit's way.

    https://twitter.com/OFOCBrexit/status/993181347580694528

  • FoxyFoxy Posts: 44,052
    edited May 2018

    Foxy said:

    Charles said:

    Foxy said:

    Freggles said:

    kle4 said:

    If point 10 is correct (I honestly cannot recall) it is intereating, as surely it would mean either the EU is no more competent than us, or is operating in bad faith. I'd assume the former, because this whole area is a political mess.
    It's a bit misleading. It agreed to those things in principle but didn't provide a solution, and stated that of a solution was not found that would meet the criteria, NI would have to remain in regulatory alignment with the EU (essentially staying in the CU )
    The Belfast Telegraph on the possibility of an Irish Sea border, and the backstop plan:

    https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/brexit-border-could-move-to-irish-sea-as-eu-backstop-plan-that-angered-may-remains-in-place-36720522.html

    Our Civil Servants do have contingency plans for such an Irish Sea border too:

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/04/irish-border-backup-plan-suggests-checks-ports-airports-brexit

    Seems the only viable option to me, apart from full UK CU.
    The invisible border concept is entirely viable in principle. It’s just the EU didn’t want to do the work jointly. Presumably because they thought they could “weaponise the Irish border” in negotiations
    The whole point of "Take back Control of Our Borders" is to have significant barriers to control entry of goods and people
    Surely the issue was more 'people' than 'goods'? I don't recall 'unfettered importation of Chinese tat' as a voter concern..

    No one suggested ending the Common Travel Area which has been with us for nearly a century - so the Northern Ireland/Ireland border was never proposed as a point of control.

    Similarly, unlike the EU, there has been no government proposal to require visas or pre-clearance of EU citizens to the UK post-Brexit.

    The issue is not of 'entry' but of 'settlement and right to work and access to services'.

    But I'm sure you know that and hope muddling them will lead to us staying in a CU.
    Nope, I support WTO Brexit, but accept that this means an NI CU with a border in the Irish Sea.

    A useful model for Scotland too... :)
  • williamglennwilliamglenn Posts: 47,786

    Foxy said:

    Charles said:

    Foxy said:

    Freggles said:

    kle4 said:

    If point 10 is correct (I honestly cannot recall) it is intereating, as surely it would mean either the EU is no more competent than us, or is operating in bad faith. I'd assume the former, because this whole area is a political mess.
    It's a bit misleading. It agreed to those things in principle but didn't provide a solution, and stated that of a solution was not found that would meet the criteria, NI would have to remain in regulatory alignment with the EU (essentially staying in the CU )
    The Belfast Telegraph on the possibility of an Irish Sea border, and the backstop plan:

    https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/brexit-border-could-move-to-irish-sea-as-eu-backstop-plan-that-angered-may-remains-in-place-36720522.html

    Our Civil Servants do have contingency plans for such an Irish Sea border too:

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/may/04/irish-border-backup-plan-suggests-checks-ports-airports-brexit

    Seems the only viable option to me, apart from full UK CU.
    The invisible border concept is entirely viable in principle. It’s just the EU didn’t want to do the work jointly. Presumably because they thought they could “weaponise the Irish border” in negotiations
    And Varadkar stopped the work on the border Kenny had started....'not our problem'....
    The Dail has Sovereignty too!

    In a negotiation, we do not get to pick the opposing team.
    Why do you think he stopped the work? Surely cooperation is more fruitful?
    Because it was giving false hope to the UK side who didn’t take the issue seriously.
This discussion has been closed.