Brexit - the next steps

[Gordon]

Looks like Johnson has something else to worry about - let's hope so.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/27/boris-johnson-referred-to-police-watchdog-over-potential-misconduct

[Nearly Sane]

The only way they are going to negotiate an alternate government is to ditch the party positions and put individuals in the posts that will best achieve the agreed limited programme (whatever that is). To get any programme through they will need the support of all remainers, "leave with a deal" leavers and convince the remaining Torys that they would get "no brexit at all" unless a deal is ratified by the chosen method.

LDs already support a referendum before a GE. JC also wants the people to decide on a deal that he puts to them.

Yes, I know, I have been violently agreeing. The issue is this can't be just a single holding of the nose. For Swinson to be PM it will appear as if Labour did, borrowed to the LDs, who didn't and as already covered this would be a PM from the 3rd largest party in the coalition.

The LDs position is for a revocation after an election. And a referendum if it isn't. In many ways it's as fatously vague as Labour's.

[Roses]

Looks like Johnson has something else to worry about - let's hope so.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/27/boris-johnson-referred-to-police-watchdog-over-potential-misconduct

If he is guilty he should be sent down.

[Nearly Sane]

If he is guilty he should be sent down.

'Sent down' just brought this into my head. Names changed to protect the guilty

https://youtu.be/nvmYfcQB5HY

[Roses]

'Sent down' just brought this into my head. Names changed to protect the guilty

https://youtu.be/nvmYfcQB5HY

If Boris was sent down he might be of the Harry Grout ilk, dominating the prison.

[Nearly Sane]

If Boris was sent down he might be of the Harry Grout ilk, dominating the prison.

Mmm, while Eton and prison have a number of things in common, I doubt that would be the case.

[jeremyp]

If Boris was sent down he might be of the Harry Grout ilk, dominating the prison.

If he had a record of success like he does as PM, he's more likely to end up with his throat slit in the showers.

[Roses]

There is talk of a possible no confidence vote next week, with the aim of bringing Johnson down.

[Nearly Sane]

There is talk of a possible no confidence vote next week, with the aim of bringing Johnson down.

Which as already covered needs a plan about 'What next?'.

[Gordon]

There is talk of a possible no confidence vote next week, with the aim of bringing Johnson down.

If so it needs to be on the basis of clear agreement on an interim government, since if Johnson loses a VoNC and the plan for an interim government fails then there is still the risk of no-deal happening, so it would have to be the last throw of the dice and depend on the ex-Tories and Lib-Dems accepting Corbyn as interim PM, no doubt through gritted teeth.   

[Roses]

If so it needs to be on the basis of clear agreement on an interim government, since if Johnson loses a VoNC and the plan for an interim government fails then there is still the risk of no-deal happening, so it would have to be the last throw of the dice and depend on the ex-Tories and Lib-Dems accepting Corbyn as interim PM, no doubt through gritted teeth.

They will have great difficulty accepting Corbyn, we shall have to see what happens.

[Nearly Sane]

They will have great difficulty accepting Corbyn, we shall have to see what happens.

They are the 3rd largest party in any coalition
 They need perspective. I say thar as someone who doesn't have a lot of time for Corbyn

[Nearly Sane]

Gove, strong and stable

https://youtu.be/taqxVxSoOB8

[bluehillside Retd.]

So here’s the solution (assuming the Art 50 process is extended as the Benn Act requires).

The rebel alliance concludes that Corbyn is loved by his hard core coterie but is kryptonite to most MPs and to most of the country. They decide instead therefore that a pairing of Harriet Harman and Ken Clarke should lead the cross-party group into a GE with the following manifesto:

1. A second referendum to be held within six months of the new Gov’t sitting.
   
2. The referendum question will be a choice between remaining and leaving for the model that’s then known to have been negotiated with the EU. 

3. The referendum result will be final and binding.

4. At the time of announcing the referendum an independent office of fact checking will be appointed to monitor and report on the claims made by the competing campaigns.

5. During the life of the Gov’t normal business will be conducted, but no new major legislative initiatives will be brought forward (other than those essential to the referendum itself).

6. Once the referendum result is known and enacted, the gov’t will immediately dissolve and a new GE will be called.

Job done.   

[jeremyp]

They will have great difficulty accepting Corbyn, we shall have to see what happens.

Much as I think Corbyn is a useless twat, he would be the only possible PM in a coalition against no deal Brexit. Other than the Tories, he has the most MPs of any party by far. I'm afraid the other parties have got to bite that particular bullet.

[bluehillside Retd.]

Jeremy,

Much as I think Corbyn is a useless twat, he would be the only possible PM in a coalition against no deal Brexit. Other than the Tories, he has the most MPs of any party by far. I'm afraid the other parties have got to bite that particular bullet.

What if enough of his own MPs tell him that the only way an alliance will unite is if he stands aside for now to resolve the Brexit issue (see above), and that he will be g’teed to lead Labour into the GE that will follow (also see above)? 

[jeremyp]

Jeremy,

What if enough of his own MPs tell him that the only way an alliance will unite is if he stands aside for now to resolve the Brexit issue (see above), and that he will be g’teed to lead Labour into the GE that will follow (also see above)?

I don't think he would do it. He's already guaranteed to lead Labour into the next general election.

[Udayana]

I don't think he would do it. He's already guaranteed to lead Labour into the next general election.

So much for the rebel alliance then.

Can BJ time a resignation/VoNC such that Oct 31st passes without an extension being in place?

[Gordon]

There are now reports that Johnson plans to foment civil unrest so as to have an excuse to use emergency powers in order to ensure a no deal Brexit, which perhaps explains his contradictory position of refusing to request an extension as per the Benn Act but still not break the law: by simply using alternative laws that negate the Benn Act.

Seems far-fetched that a UK PM would go down a route like this- but perhaps this one would.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/28/boris-johnson-invoke-civil-emergency-powers-brexit-deal

[Gordon]

According to one Scottish paper there is a 'secret' plot, though since it's the front page headline it may no longer be a secret, to make Bercow the interim PM of a GNU.

Brexit is such as mess now that there is almost daily speculation regarding what happens next, and surely someone has to do something sensible soon. If there is to be an unexpected interim PM I suggest we resurrect dear old Mr Pastry: he would at least be an improvement on the current incumbent.

[Stranger]

...surely someone has to do something sensible soon.

I wouldn't put money on it...

[Roses]

According to one Scottish paper there is a 'secret' plot, though since it's the front page headline it may no longer be a secret, to make Bercow the interim PM of a GNU.

Brexit is such as mess now that there is almost daily speculation regarding what happens next, and surely someone has to do something sensible soon. If there is to be an unexpected interim PM I suggest we resurrect dear old Mr Pastry: he would at least be an improvement on the current incumbent.

Mr Pastry couldn't do a worse job than Boris, nor could  one of the monkeys in the zoo.

[ippy]

Mr Pastry couldn't do a worse job than Boris, nor could a one of the monkeys in the zoo.

As long as he gets us what was voted for, out of the EU, I couldn't give a monkeys, I'm hoping he makes a good job of that, we'll see so roll on the 31st.

Regards, ippy.

[Roses]

As long as he gets us what was voted for, out of the EU, I couldn't give a monkeys, I'm hoping he makes a good job of that, we'll see so roll on the 31st.

Regards, ippy.

Boris and a good job are an oxymoron Hopefully the UK will not leave the EU unless a good deal has been arranged or not at all, which would be far preferable.

[Stranger]

As long as he gets us what was voted for, out of the EU...

"But we didn’t vote to leave without a deal. That wasn’t the message of the campaign I helped lead. During that campaign, we said we should do a deal with the EU and be part of the network of free trade deals that covers all Europe, from Iceland to Turkey.

Leaving without a deal ... would not honour that commitment."

-- Michael Gove (source)