Brexit - the next steps

[Dicky Underpants]

So if there are any Brexiteers left reading this thread, did you honestly expect it to be going like this? I'd be interested to know.

I note that Tim Martin, chairman of Wetherspoons and arch-Brexiteer, was recently heard to say that even he was having doubts as to whether the event will actually ever happen. W's autumn mag, though still fiercely defending Brexit, is at least even-handed enough to print four articles (two for and two against) by well-known worthies such as Vince Cable and Matthew Parris.
(I receive no commission from Wetherspoons, and they're lucky to get 10 quid a week in patronage from me)

[Nearly Sane]

I note that Tim Martin, chairman of Wetherspoons and arch-Brexiteer, was recently heard to say that even he was having doubts as to whether the event will actually ever happen. W's autumn mag, though still fiercely defending Brexit, is at least even-handed enough to print four articles (two for and two against) by well-known worthies such as Vince Cable and Matthew Parris.
(I receive no commission from Wetherspoons, and they're lucky to get 10 quid a week in patronage from me)

Can I recommend The Big Issue this week, guest edited by Armando Iannucci with a debate between the great giants of Malcolm Tucker and Alan Partridge.

[Walt Zingmatilder]

Billy Connolly.
And before you try it - he's funny every time he goes on stage!

Too hairy.

[Walt Zingmatilder]

Billy Connolly.
And before you try it - he's funny every time he goes on stage!

He is very funny. One of my all time favourites of his is the one about the two pupils on the bus. One goes ''it's spelt w.w.o.o.m.b.b''. he other replies ''No it's spelt w.w.w.w.o.o.o.o.m.m.b''. An old lady behind them leans forward and says I think you'll find it's spelt W.O.M.B.......at which one of the pupils turns round and says ''Listen lady, I bet you've never even seen a hippopotamus let alone heard one fart underwater.'' 

[Walt Zingmatilder]

With the banks ready to upsticks and Frankfurt it's coming to shit or bust for May. Hard Brexit or No Brexit.

[Nearly Sane]

Theresa amongst the polyanthus


https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/oct/20/theresa-may-brexit-speech-brussels-eu-pot-plants-sketch?CMP=fb_gu

[Nearly Sane]

Are you now or have you ever been a remoaner?


https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/oct/24/universities-mccarthyism-mp-demands-list-brexit-chris-heaton-harris#img-2

I think the letter is stupid, but until any action is taken the reaction seems Ott.

[floo]

Are you now or have you ever been a remoaner?


https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/oct/24/universities-mccarthyism-mp-demands-list-brexit-chris-heaton-harris#img-2

I think the letter is stupid, but until any action is taken the reaction seems Ott.

I hope they just ignore that stupid letter.

[Humph Warden Bennett]

Are you now or have you ever been a remoaner?


https://www.theguardian.com/education/2017/oct/24/universities-mccarthyism-mp-demands-list-brexit-chris-heaton-harris#img-2

I think the letter is stupid, but until any action is taken the reaction seems Ott.

This is one of the consequences of democracy, sometimes idiots are elected.

[Nearly Sane]

So apparently it was for a book! In which case it shouldn't have been sent on parliamentary notepaper, and I note he is defended by the odious Philip Davies

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41747035?SThisFB

[ProfessorDavey]

So apparently it was for a book! In which case it shouldn't have been sent on parliamentary notepaper, and I note he is defended by the odious Philip Davies

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-41747035?SThisFB

Hmm - if this is true then it is an abuse of his parliamentary position. Writing a book is a private activity, not part of his role as an MP and therefore he should not have sent the letter using parliamentary headed paper.

And if he was researching for a book, why didn't he say so in his letter. Forgive me for my scepticism, but this guy is 50 and in his career to date the nearest I can see to him writing a book is a 24 page booklet on fighting wind farm proposals with accompanying step by step guide for opposing them. Seems rather too convenient that apparently, despite all evidence to the contrary, he is a budding author.

[Nearly Sane]

Hmm - if this is true then it is an abuse of his parliamentary position. Writing a book is a private activity, not part of his role as an MP and therefore he should not have sent the letter using parliamentary headed paper.

And if he was researching for a book, why didn't he say so in his letter. Forgive me for my scepticism, but this guy is 50 and in his career to date the nearest I can see to him writing a book is a 24 page booklet on fighting wind farm proposals with accompanying step by step guide for opposing them. Seems rather too convenient that apparently, despite all evidence to the contrary, he is a budding author.

Come now, it will surely be a thriller in the tradition of Dan Brown, The Brexit Code?
 Was there a reason in replying to a post saying he shouldn't have used parliamentary notepaper, you said he shouldn't have used parliamentary notepaper?

[Rhiannon]

Equally plausible.

http://newsthump.com/2017/10/24/its-for-my-xmas-card-list-insists-tory-mp-demanding-to-know-which-lecturers-are-saying-what-about-brexit/

[ProfessorDavey]

Was there a reason in replying to a post saying he shouldn't have used parliamentary notepaper, you said he shouldn't have used parliamentary notepaper?

I was agreeing with you, reiterating the point and going a little further specifically by indicating the distinction between private activities and the parliamentary role of an MP.

Anyhow I didn't realise there was a rule whereby only one poster was allowed to make a specific point. As you are one of those administrator-type chaps you clearly know the rules better than I do

[Nearly Sane]

I was agreeing with you, reiterating the point and going a little further specifically by indicating the distinction between private activities and the parliamentary role of an MP.

Anyhow I didn't realise there was a rule whereby only one poster was allowed to make a specific point. As you are one of those administrator-type chaps you clearly know the rules better than I do

It just read a bit like Profsplaining

[ProfessorDavey]

It just read a bit like Profsplaining

Profsplaining - is that even a thing!?!

[Nearly Sane]

Profsplaining - is that even a thing!?!

It is now, in your honour.

[ProfessorDavey]

It is now, in your honour.

Why do I have the feeling this isn't a complement

[Nearly Sane]

Why do I have the feeling this isn't a complement

It is, if a bit of a back handed one. Anyway thanks for the stuff on the great author's back catalogue. Already used elsewhere.

[Harrowby Hall]

Why do I have the feeling this isn't a complement

I think you mean "compliment".

(It's always satisfying to correct a professor ....)

[ProfessorDavey]

I think you mean "compliment".

(It's always satisfying to correct a professor ....)

Indeed.

Don't you mean correct a Professor

[Gordon]

Wonder what it is they don't want us to know: that they sought public approval for this disaster surely implies that the public should be made aware of the consequences of the decision they took as the details of these consequences emerge (given nobody thought to check first).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-41749270

[Harrowby Hall]

I have had a number of encounters with Brexiteers who have argued that the EU is politically modelled on the (now defunct) Soviet Union. They usually mention (but without names) academic authorities who have written books on the subject which they found convincing. One theme is common to all of my encounters ... a repeated refrain of "Ever closer union".

My immediate thought when I read Gordon's news item was that the United Kingdom no longer enjoys parliamentary democracy but is now governed by a Politburo.

[wigginhall]

Basically, we are being lied to.   Any discussion of EEA is shut off without discussion; there are now references to 'no deal', although in fact, no deal is totally impossible.   WTO terms are discussed in terms of tariffs, when in fact, it's non tariff barriers which are a big impediment.  I suppose all of this is discussed in private by politicians, but very little filters out.  And of course, the media are largely on the side of the right wing, so there is omerta.    It's about as democratic as the 'Ndrangheta inner circle.

[SusanDoris]

Profsplaining - is that even a thing!?!

On Ship of Fools, there's a whole thread on 'mansplaining'!!  (Still not quite sure what they're talking about!)