The Brexit referendum thread: potential consequences for GB, EU and the Brits in CH

[Medea Fleecestealer]

Why do I get the feeling he's going to be the shortest UK PM in history at the rate he's going.

	Quote:	Medea Fleecestealer
	Why do I get the feeling he's going to be the shortest UK PM in history at the rate he's going.

Actually, Theresa May was 1 inch shorter than him.

[3Wishes]

	Quote:	Medea Fleecestealer
	Why do I get the feeling he's going to be the shortest UK PM in history at the rate he's going.

Remind me again why the Conservatives voted overwhelmingly for him? Was it because they thought he could best deliver Brexit on time? Or was it because they thought he'd make a nice scapegoat once Brexit failed to happen yet again, which seemed likely from the start?

[Blueangel]

	Quote:
	Actually, Theresa May was 1 inch shorter than him.

For anyone keeping tabs, Johnson became PM on 24 July 2019.

"The shortest period in office was George Canning, whose sole term lasted 119 days from 12 April 1827 until his death on 8 August 1827."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Record...iod_of_service

My quote of the week, though there have been many contenders, comes from Sir Nicholas Soames who is often all sweetness and light on his twitter but says what he really thinks in the long hashtags at the end of them. This is classic...

	Quote:
	He also hit out at Jacob Rees-Mogg after he was spotted lounging on the front bench in the Commons this week saying: "He is an absolute fraud, he is a living example of what a moderately cut double-breasted suit and a decent tie can do with an ultra-posh voice and a bit of ginger stuck up his a***. You do not behave like that as leader of the house." He continued: "I thought it was b***** bad manners and he of all people should know better. He has had all the advantages and frankly nanny made a serious bish. "I wanted to kick him firmly in the a*** and say, 'What the hell do you think you are playing at? Sit up!"

https://news.sky.com/story/mps-threa...delay-11804118

[Blueangel]

	Quote:	3Wishes
	Remind me again why the Conservatives voted overwhelmingly for him? Was it because they thought he could best deliver Brexit on time?

I have a theory on this, so please forgive me for rambling.

To the Tory faithful he's either a lovable bufoon, a guise which he's carefully crafted throughout his adult life, or as one of the architects of Brexit, he should be duty bound to take on the mantle of executing it.

Johnson is brilliant at delegating when he is surrounded by talent. The big problems arise when he tries to manage a pet project, such as the Garden Bridge which he took on as a personal favour to long standing family friend, Joanna Lumley. That wasted millions of tax payers money and came to nothing.

As PM, instead of surrounding himself with talent, his selection process for cabinet positions has been solely based upon loyalty to him and to Brexit. He's managed to surround himself with people who are as spectacularly ambitious beyond their natural talents as he is, and I'll keep saying this...there's not a single current cabinet minister with a background in science.

[John William]

Breaking News - Amber Rudd, the British Works and Pensions Secretary resigns from Boris Johnson's government.

BBC News - Amber Rudd resigns from the Cabinet

Amber Rudd resigns from cabinet and the tory whip.

More will follow, no doubt.

https://twitter.com/AmberRuddHR/stat...29481879842817

[Blueangel]

Wow! Didn't see that coming. Scathing stuff from her.

With people taking to twitter today to adopt the black spot and #deathbybrexit if they face potential delays and shortages to their own life saving medication, will Matt Hancock be next?

[marton]

Can this be true?

	Quote:
	Senior MPs opposing a no-deal Brexit sought assurances from the EU that their bid for a three-month delay would be granted, it has emerged. European leaders were sounded out before MPs, including the “rebel alliance”, passed a bill, which is expected to receive royal assent on Monday, forcing Boris Johnson to ask for an extension.

Source

[Blueangel]

Likely, and why shouldn't it be? The UK has MEPs of many stripes in Brussels and the key phrase in this article is - including the “rebel alliance”. If you look at this article, there's nothing underhand about it, and it has happened regularly throughout the process.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/worl...sels-1.3802184

[Dinivan]

Britain is doomed, seriously.

There is some talk that BoJo and Farage have reached some sort of agreement to allow extreme Tory MPs to stand for election unopposed by the BP. If that is confirmed, it is no wonder that BoJo wants an election so badly.

The opposition shouldn't fall for his tricks and provocations. Right now they have the government by the balls, and it is BoJo's own making after expelling almost two dozen MPs from his own party, leaving him in a clear minority even when including the few Labour MPs that support a hard brexit. The opposition parties can now control the government and make the Tories suffer. Why should they go to an election?

I suppose that Boris is now going to ask for the extension. Very reluctantly. And expecting Brussels to say no.... and the EU should grant it. That would leave his government in minority and unable to explain what's going on, with a clear picture of the disorganisation and chaos that this party is bringing the UK to. And extremism, let's not forget about it. I find it amusing and sad at the same time when some Tory voters claim that the UK should exit the EU to distance the country from the continent against which the 'battle of Britain' was fought. Only to then start harbouring in the Tory party extremists, including neo-nazis. It's all completely f*** up. And the party is still getting the highest share of votes in the latest polls, how is this possible?

An article today I was reading claims that Boris may go to prison if he disobeys Westminster. Considering how things are going, I wouldn't be surprised if he goes for this option to become a martyr.

In the meanwhile, how much money is Cameron earning from his speeches and books?

If this were a political drama à la "house of cards", by this stage I would have switched the TV off thinking that the script was becoming too unrealistic and going way too wild.

[Dinivan]

	Quote:	marton
	Can this be true? Source

MPs have the right to talk to EU officials and MEPs. We even have in Geneva the headquarters of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, an association of 179 parliaments from around the world whose aim is to share resources, ideas and expertise between MPs....

	Quote:	Dinivan
	.... The opposition parties can now control the government and make the Tories suffer. Why should they go to an election? ...

I don't think that could happen, if the general election was blocked Bojo could call a no-confidence vote and order whatever MPs remain in his party to vote for it, that triggers an automatic general election.

	Quote:	Dinivan
	... An article today I was reading claims that Boris may go to prison if he disobeys Westminster. Considering how things are going, I wouldn't be surprised if he goes for this option to become a martyr. ...

That there is even discussion about the repercussions of him disobeying the law shows him to be unfit for office. You don't have to betray your Brexit principles to think that elected ministers have to obey the law without question, nor to think that unprincipled people perform unprincipled acts. Too many people willing to enter into a Faustian bargain over this.

	Quote:
	I don't think that could happen, if the general election was blocked Bojo could call a no-confidence vote and order whatever MPs remain in his party to vote for it, that triggers an automatic general election.

Actually not. First - given that Boris now has an official minority government - the queen would have to approach the leader of the opposition to try to form a government.

If Corbyn has the sense to allow someone moderate to do this for the few weeks needed it might work. However I'm not sure Corbyn has that much sense and I can't see the Tory rebels or the LDs allowing Corbyn in.

[John William]

In the meantime the British Public and business are being implored, through Posters and advertising
campaigns to Get Ready for Brexit.

Here's Michael Gove with a timely reminder on rationing.

The Food Minister on Rationing

[Jim2007]

	Quote:
	I don't think that could happen, if the general election was blocked Bojo could call a no-confidence vote and order whatever MPs remain in his party to vote for it, that triggers an automatic general election.

No it would not. That is the thing about let’s make the constitution up as we go along... there is nothing but tradition!

Parliament is sovereign and it can instruct the Queen to invite someone else to form a government.

While Ireland has a parliament of Westminster style democracy, it’s constitution specifically lists the events that require the PM to request the President to dissolve parliament and restricts the actions of the caretaker government to just keeping things ticking over until a new government is appointed.

[John William]

Here it is coming soon - The Revenge of the Parliamentarians starring The Rebel Alliance !!

	Quote:	Dinivan
	MPs have the right to talk to EU officials and MEPs. We even have in Geneva the headquarters of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, an association of 179 parliaments from around the world whose aim is to share resources, ideas and expertise between MPs....

....and expense accounts no doubt !!

[Reb77Br]

Amber Rudd quits government over Johnson's Brexit stance

	Quote:
	Amber Rudd has quit the cabinet and surrendered the Conservative whip, saying not enough effort is going into getting a Brexit deal. The work and pensions secretary told the BBC there were no "formal negotiations" taking place with the EU, just "conversations". Ms Rudd said up to 90 per cent of government time was spent preparing for an "inferior" no-deal option. … Ms Rudd described the expulsions as a "short-sighted culling" of "broad-minded and dedicated Conservative MPs". "I cannot support this act of political vandalism," she added.

Wouldn't be surprised if Boris Johnson and Co are actually aiming for "no deal" in the hope that it will snuff out the Brexit Party.

	Quote:	Reb77Br
	Amber Rudd quits government over Johnson's Brexit stance Wouldn't be surprised if Boris Johnson and Co are actually aiming for "no deal" in the hope that it will snuff out the Brexit Party.

I actually read that as: ..quits over Brexit sauce.

I must have brexit fatigue