It’s been one of those days when you start writing an article, and by the time you get to the end of the sentence there’s been some other significant development in the catastrocrash that passes for British politics. My hard drive is littered with the ruins of aborted and unworkable articles, so rather like the Conservative party then.
The day started off badly for Theresa May and has got steadily worse as the day went on. Under normal circumstances you’d feel a modicum of sympathy for a fellow human being who was being put under such stress in the workplace. But this is Theresa May we’re talking about here, a woman who thinks empathy is a Cypriot holiday resort frequented by socialists, and who responds to questions about human tragedy with robotic soundbites. She’s devoted an entire career to demonstrating as many different ways possible of exhibiting a lack of compassion. So these are not normal circumstances, and as such we’re only demonstrating a healthy human response by laughing at her discomfort.
It began with legal advice from the advocate general to the European Court of Justice, who gave his considered opinion to the court that the UK can cancel Article 50 unilaterally. Advice from the advocate general is not binding on the court, but it is generally followed, meaning that it is highly likely that the court will rule the same way. The ruling had been sought by a group of Scottish politicians, who had been fought tooth and nail every step of the way by Theresa May’s government. Supporters of Brexit claimed that they wanted to leave the EU in order to take back control, but apparently not so much control that campaigners can seek legal rulings against the UK government. The government doesn’t want the people to be informed, because the more that we know, the less that we fear.
What this means is that, if as now appears likely, the European Court of Justice follows the advice of its advocate general, British MPs will be able to halt the Article 50 process unilaterally. Activating Article 50 notified the EU of the UK’s intention to leave, but now the UK can halt it without having to seek agreement from other EU members. The UK would be able to remain in the EU and retain all its current opt-outs, rebates, and privileges, something that the British government was insistent was not the case. Just last week Michael Gove insisted that it was not the case. It would suit him and other members of the Tory party because if it were not the case then resisting their Brexit plans would be more difficult. Moreover, the British government was hell bent on ensuring that British citizens couldn’t find out whether it was the case or not. There’s that taking back control for you.
Then the British government’s control freakery fetish for secrecy took another battering. Despite a vote in the Commons to oblige the government to release the UK’s legal advice on Theresa May’s Brexit plan, the government had refused to do so. That would be that same Commons that Brexit was supposed to restore full sovereignty to. But not that sovereignty. Oh no. That’s the wrong kind of sovereignty. Not sovereignty to hold the British government to account. It was just supposed to be sovereignty as far as foreigners are concerned. Because we won the war you know. We have a government which is so arrogant that it believes it has the right to ignore the will of Parliament. That’s not just a step on the road to dictatorship, it’s a bus ride. A bus with lies about the EU painted on its side.
Angered at the disdain that the government had been showing for that very Parliament that’s supposed to be sovereign, opposition MPs forced a debate on holding the government in contempt. First the government attempted to introduce its own amendment to the contempt motion, only for it to be voted down by 311 votes to 307. Then despite an attempt at filibustering from Tory MPs more interested in the sound of their own voices than in the sound of democracy dying, the motion itself was carried by 311 votes to 293. It’s unprecedented for a government to be found to be in contempt of Parliament, but that’s precisely what happened today.
In order to avoid sanctions being taken against minister, the government has promised to publish the full legal advice tomorrow (Wednesday). All of this could have been avoided if Theresa May understood the difference between resolve and a pig-headed arrogance. She wants a divorce from the EU, but the only divorce on display so far is her government’s divorce from reality.
If losing one vote in Parliament is unfortunate for a government, and losing two is carelessness, losing three is the level of incompetent haunlessness that we should have come to expect given the progress of the British government in the Brexit negotiations to far. Well, I say progress. The UK’s handling of Brexit is to political progress as a clown car is to a luxury European sports car.
Operating on the principle that the best time to boot a guy in the balls is when he’s already on the floor, opposition MPs and Tory remainer rebels delivered another kicking to the government in the aftermath of the contempt vote. Tory Remainer Dominic Grieve tabled an amendment to the parliamentary motion setting out how the government’s Brexit deal would be debated over the coming days. According to the EU Withdrawal Act, the government has 21 days to return to Parliament with a new motion should Theresa May’s deal fail to attract the support of enough MPs.
The government had intended to present MPs with a take it or leave it deal, because you know, control freakery, but Grieve’s amendment allows MPs to make their own amendments to whatever the government puts forward. The motion passed by 321 votes to 299, meaning that Theresa May has lost control of the final form that Brexit will take should her deal not win a majority when MPs vote on it next week. MPs will now be able to prevent a no-deal by default.
Now no one knows what’s going to happen. The Brexit debates are still on-going in the Commons and are set to continue for the next five days. Rumours are circulating that the government might even pull the deal from the debate and not have a vote on it all rather than face a fourth humiliating defeat in the space of a few days. Other rumours say that Theresa May might be planning another snap General Election. Hard line Brexiteers are downcast, but their fears that Brexit could be stopped might be enough to get enough of them to support Theresa’s deal.
Theresa has suffered three strikes but she’s not out, yet. She’s certainly not safe. It seems that the UK falling out of the EU with no deal is less likely now than it was this time yesterday, but it’s impossible to say with any certainty what is going to happen tomorrow, never mind next week when Theresa’s deal is voted on in the Commons, and certainly not what’s going to happen in March next year. Maybe we’ll know more tomorrow. But I wouldn’t bet on it. The only certainties left are that there are no certainties any more in British politics, and that we can add the safety, security, and stability of the UK to the long and lengthening list of Better Together’s broken promises to the people of Scotland.
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Wee Ginger Dug 
Paul,
Your new cross-Atlantic marriage is serving well (may it always be so); I never expected to see the Dug employ a baseball analogy!
(I know; “NOBODY expects a baseball analogy…”)
There is, however a loophole in the “three strikes, yer out!” rule: If the catcher drops a third strike, the batter by default becomes a runner and if he subsequently reaches first base before the catcher can throw the ball down to the first baseman — who must then tag the runner out, or put him out by stepping on the base before the runner does — then the runner is safe.
From here, I’m not sure it that’s quite what happened, but at this point I also wonder if someone in Brussels — after they pick themselves up and finally stop laughing — is now researching whether the EU can expel the UK while letting Scotland stay.
Keep up the great work. As I keep telling folks over here, this blog is a must-read for anyone interested in Scotland.
Crazy, isn’t it? Never seen anything like it Paul. Literally Westminster parliament is in full on chaos mode. According to Nick Eardly’s twatter : “One Whitehall source admits sense of “panic” tonight”. Understatement of the year award goes to… Arguably, it’s fair enough to say we’re looking at a slow motion collapse of not just a government, but a system of government at this point.
You’re terrified to go for a potty break, just in case you come back and find there’s been a zombiepocalypse in your absence. Also? I’m running out of portapotties. Personally, I’m breaking out the go bag, stockpiling choccie raisins and drinking water (or the nearest alcoholic equivalent).
The looks on some broadcast presenters kissers when news of the AG’s advice started to filter through… Just sublime. A cross between confusion, naked terror and a WTAF kitty gif. The spin ever since has been insane. To which any reasonable human being can only say – Well played Messrs Wightman, Maugham et al. and their legal team. Well played. 🙂
Just think. There’s always tomorrow.
Just about sums it up so far, Paul.
Well done.
A bit of a ‘chalice from the palace has the pellet with the poison’, conundrum.
True Grieve’s amendment makes a No Deal exit extremely unlikely, much to Rees Mogg’s chagrin (can we still spika da Froggie now we are out of Europe?), but I doubt that the ERG and Sammy and the DUP Showband would vote for May’s Mess, amendments or no.
There is every likelihood that the Chief Whip will inform her by the week end that’s she’s toast; she will either resign in a fit of pique( again with the banned Frog words!), withdraw the Proposal and go back to the EU to broker a better deal within the 21 days, or call a UK GE.
Or she may just lock herself in a room with a crate of Vino Collapso and smelly cheese and put her fingers in her ears and sing, ‘La La La La’.
Europe must be pissing itself laughing at the antics of the English in the ‘Mother of Parliaments’ today.
Oh what joy, Jack. I have been forced to partake of a glass or twain of the falling-down water at the Government’s obvious discomfiture. But whether or not this will be enough to bring TM down, remains to be seen. Mind you, it should.
@Jack collatin
‘chalice from the palace has the pellet with the poison’
That dates you….and me 😀
Like a good wine, Tol, we mature well…ahem.
Most certainly, it’s the time to stock up on popcorn. Surprised that no one has mentioned developments on the Planet Farrago as well.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/dec/04/nigel-farage-quits-ukip-over-fixation-anti-muslim-policies
Though Nige resigning (again) I guess is not really news …
Oh mays next 5 days will probably feel she’s in a five nights at Freddies video game as one wrong move will get her a game over but unlike video games may cannot press the reset button for a do over she screws up and its over for her.
Couldn’t give a rat’s a*se for any of the Brexit ‘debate’ – but I did catch a glimpse of the Attorney General sitting in the Commons as he was being handed his head on a silver platter – the poor man looked like he was about to burst oot greetin’ ! Priceless !
I’ve heard a few times that the Brexiteers may vote For May’s deal for fear of no Brexit at all. However the May deal has been declared worse than staying in by Raab, and putting an impartial hat on, he is right.
If they abandon Article 50 unilaterally and remain in, they live to fight another day. If they accept May’s deal they have to break a new treaty to escape it or they are tied in forever. They are placed in an interesting position. But its not really correct to assume their second choice/ best option is to take May’s deal.
I think that the events of today might well be seen by historians of the future as a revolutionary moment.
Although the absolute powers of monarchs was removed a long time ago, the ‘royal prerogative’ and associated, heretofore unexaminable, powers passed to the Government, which under the ‘make-it-up-as-we-go-along’ constitution of the UK, could act with ‘royal command’.
The events in Parliament today – the three defeats – and the decision by the ECJ have, in effect shifted the balance of power from the Government to Parliament. It is to be hoped that there are sufficient MPs in Parliament to ‘seize the time’ and to make this change irreversible (or as irreversible as things can be in a democracy.)
I hope that today is just the first stage in constitutional change which redistributes power to various groupings. Personally, I hope that this results in the dissolution of the Uk and the re-emergence of an independent Scotland.
However, ‘pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will’: let us take one step at a time! The Labour Party is a dirigiste centralising party and Messrs Corbyn and McDonnell are as eager to have the ‘royal prerogative’ powers as the present shambles that masquerades as a government. Labour is above all THE BRITISH PARTY. So, I suspect, it will begin to dissemble and seek, not constitutional change, but a General Election, which it hopes to win, and might, indeed, do so. It would enact some redistributive legislation, but, eventually the Whitehall/City nexus would decide it was time to revert to the old regime and would create a ‘run on the pound’ type crisis… unless, Labour has made constitutional changes such as a more proportional voting system as a first step and has bowed to forces within the Labour Party in England for devolution of powers to local levels.
The SNP, the Scottish Government and, indeed, much of the Scottish Parliament have had quite a good crisis. They have stuck to their guns and what they said at the outset is coming to pass. I, like others have had my moments of doubt and impatience, but, as we enter a crucial few years and an even more crucial week, we have to keep our eyes on the prize, strategically, but we also have to be nimble tactically in the moment.
Venceremos!
Never in my life seen such a day in politics.
Thank you Paul for your truly excellent summation of the surrealist of days. Democracy has always been a blunt instrument but is no longer fit for purpose.
Her was the view the other day of what was likely before the ecj opinion.
Now it’s panic stations in Westminster as Macart says
When you see video of a modern parliament such as the Bundestag with its computer linked modern chamber and then Westminster you have to wonder what year Westminster exists in. Then you look at the language. No Hear Hear in Berlin.
Westminster looks a disgrace to me and how many of them act beggars belief.
Our Parliament in Edinburgh looks modern and behaves better but it is not good either as many MSP’s in it have put Westminster politics above the people that voted them in. Independence will sort that.
I have some hope that a few fellow Scots who are inclined to a No indyref2 vote will see the farce you summarise so well Paul and think what is best for themselves. Out of this crazy Union.
I wonder though if it all falls apart doon the road and thanks to the EJC case we end up cancelling Brexit how that will help our cause. It will economically be good true, but will remove a great boon to our cause ad we can say look what they have done to us. Mind you I think Brexit in some form will happen.
Worth reading.
http://archive.is/MoKz0
“I wonder though if it all falls apart doon the road and thanks to the EJC case we end up cancelling Brexit how that will help our cause.”
It won’t, and your standard small ‘c’ conservative Scot shall just nod and carry on, plodding forward head down, grumbling and moaning but still not willing to turn their back on the UK.
It looks to me like the moment could well be passing us by and the hopes for indyref2 are slipping away. I understand the economic arguments by why during all of this process have the SNP not been framing this discussion around the issue of independence? I am really disappointed in the leadership, and Sturgeon in particular, they seem more interested in saving the UK from itself than in their principle aim.
I admire her principles but Sturgeon seems to be getting too involved in general UK politics. I feel she is starting to let people like me down, particularly with all this talk of a ‘peoples vote’. I don’t want a ‘peoples vote’, I already voted to remain in the EU, as did the majority in my country. I want the SNP to start representing people like me, the ones who vote for them. Why are they playing to the crowd? A crowd who in the main are in England and can not vote for them, or if they are here in Scotland, would never vote for them in a month of Sunday?
I am still prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt, for a while anyway, but there is a small part of me that is starting to think that the SNP are not what I thought they were. Adding to that has been the lackluster approach to devolved issues, very managerial, dare I say it very British. Their inaction over land reform has been a bitter disappointment.
I have to agree 100% with you Iain, you’ve put into words my thoughts exactly, if Brexit is cancelled then so is indyref2 or at least a much reduced chance of winning it and ultimately independence gone for the foreseeable future.
It looks to me that Nicolas noble cause of saving England from itself (for which she’ll get no thanks), is gonna be at the expense of our right to self determination.
Graeme
Well I don’t agree.
Perception is everything. Nicola has to be seen to be doing everything – absolutely everything to protect people’s livelihoods in Scotland, and if that involves engaging in UK politics, so be it. Many soft Nos are frightened and seriously considering moving over to YES, but will only do so if ALL other options are off the table. This process may frustrate hardcore YES voters, but it is essential. We won’t win based on hardcore YES alone, we still need to convert a lot of people before the Indy referendum. Our chance will come soon enough.
I understand that Luigi, I totally get what you’re saying but if Brexit is called off for whatever reason which is what Nicola appears to be trying to do apparently, then where is the material change in circumstances that justifys a second independence referendum ?
Graeme
The power grab.
Everything is so uncertain Graeme. Anyone who calls this correctly will just have been lucky IMO. I also appreciate your concerns, but I do think we need to trust Nicola’s plan(s) and instincts on this. After all, she has got us thus far already. Keep an eye on the various court proceedings over the next two weeks – something big is about to blow and it’s going to get constitutionally very messy. I do feel that WM’s options for bluff and bluster (their preferred technique) and assumed sovereignty over the Scottish people, are gradually being closed down. Sooner or later, some very difficult decisions will have to be made (by both sides). I will say it again – our chance will come soon enough. Keep the faith. 🙂
Who would have thought May’s darkest days would be in December? Must be global warming or something.
Yes. Yes it was a bit on the chaotic side yesterday. Also? With so much going on it was a bit hard to stay focused on the small but important stuff. Everything happening everywhere and all at once.
People are polarised and scared. Their tempers are on a hair trigger and that’s entirely understandable. It’s entirely human. Must admit to wrastling the frustration monster myself. I’ve developed a near permanent red mark on my forehead from repeated bouts of ‘table meet face’ over the past few weeks. 😀
Everyone has the bestest idea ever for achieving near instant independence, avoiding brexitmageddon and building the shiniest most radical and cool society ever. Have a few ideas along those lines myself. 😎
I’m not a First Minister though. Don’t like politics, don’t much like the political class as a rule (I’m too shouty and high strung. Also? I’d never get tired of slapping some folk… just because 😀 ) and I absolutely wouldn’t want the responsibility of carrying the lives and life expectations of a nation on my back. I simply can’t imagine what that must be like. It’d take nerve I don’t have fer sure.
I very much appreciate the excellent articles and dissections which you give us.
Also most of the comments and observations (even zoomers might have a valid point)
In this case I do have a question because strangely who would believe that at westminster the numbers do not add up.
Votes For Votes Against Sinn Féin MPs Total Votes Missing Votes
311 307 7 625 25
311 293 7 611 39
321 299 7 627 23
We obviously must deduct the Sinn Fein MPs votes from the total as for ideological reasons they do not sit or vote at westminster.
Now some will say what does it matter the government were defeated. It matters because even a cursory look at the numbers shows that the missing votes could have completely reversed these votes.
If all these MPs are recorded as ill that would be acceptable. However the numbers do not allow for that (the missing votes are not constant)
The questions this raises are many and varied, however the ones I seek answers to are,
How many if any of these votes are Scottish ? How many are opposition abstentions ?
Off topic but just to show that in this fraught and dodgy political environment we, the human race have the brains, occasionally to do good.
https://amp.theguardian.com/science/2018/dec/04/scientists-develop-10-minute-universal-cancer-test
England is already the 51st State!
I tuned in to BBC News just now to catch up with the Brexit debate, and was greeted with live coverage of the ex President of Another country’s funeral.
The voice over is in hushed reverential tones, as if any of us this side of the pond have any sense of loss, of the man who made billions for Big Oil and the American Industrial and Military Complex.
The BBC is now completely taken over by the English/US Establishment.
Seriously, tell me off if I’ve got it wrong and you are sitting weeping into your hankies as she watch this ‘state funeral’.
Of course it means that the English MSM can take their eye of the ‘disastrophe’ that is the political breakdown in England.
Will it take US chlorinated chicken, steroid Texas beef, and thousands of our farmers going out of business for folks to realise that we are being invaded?
‘as You watch’..oops.
Jack
Never watched the funeral, was the maybot at it?
Maybe she should watch it and think that is it all worth the hassle, she’s in her 60’s and will be retired soon. No thought for the women who have been made to work until they are 67 years old before they get the miserable state pension. Even little Malta pays out a better state pension, our lot want to rename it a benefit, I paid into an insurance scheme and are due to be paid out.
Today the maybot said that it was the tories that introduced the Living Wage, pity that 4 million workers live in poverty with their unable to live wage.
Democracy in action in the mother of parliaments, I don’t think, no answering questions allowed just sound bites.
Ian Duncan Smith grinning his fucking head off at a food bank did it for me, Dave.
They truly are cynical fascist scum who will not rest until England is reduced to Victorian poverty and suppression.
I note, but did not catch, Professor WATP Two Jobs Adam Tomkins whom we kicked out on his arse at the last election but ‘got in’ by being a Blue Tory Favoured One, was chuntering on about May’s wonderful Brexit yesterday.
Unelected, bigot, elitist, yet gets front and centre in the obliging MSM.
We need a revolution to drive these chancers out.
Mr Tomkins had something or other handed to him on a plate yesterday. It appears he didn’t enjoy the experience.
HERE
As for IDS? Sounds about right. A Tory smiling at the misery he created.
TheresaMay’s ghastly deal, is actually the best deal for Scottish Independence, in my opinion. It avoids a No Deal, which would be catastrophic and life threatening for many people. However, I don’t want the UK is to remain in the EU, as their membership would work against us, as it did in 2014. ‘it would be difficult, if not impossible for Scotland to join the EU’, said Barruso, Jean Claude Juncker’s predecessor.
The EU’s anti Scottish Independence policy at that time, cost the Yes side many votes. Maybe even the the whole Referendum. The EU have a history of backing their members and keeping out of their internal politics, unless asked to interfere as with Cameron. We are seeing what can happen, with Spain and Catalonia.
TheresaMay’s deal, would give us regular train wrecks and would once again expose these lying, duplicitous, mendacious Tories and Unionists completely and continuously. The UK, would be in the backstop, until all 27 allow them out of it. That’s disastrous enough but what happens, if less friendly leaders emerge in the EU, especially in Germany and France? They can milk the UK dry. Unfortunately, it’s going to be voted down.
Right, so if we don’t want a No deal, or a 2nd vote and TheresaMay’s deal is going to be toast, what the hell is going to happen?
What difference would a General Election make? Not much unless the SNP gained the Balance of Power. Now, that would be worth another bulk buy of popcorn.
Just wondering like. But seein’ as how the Westminster government’s legal advice has been published and seein’ as how it’s proven beyond doubt that N.I., under the deal on offer, would indeed enjoy a differntiated status from the rest of the UK. Has anyone heard if either Ms Davidson or Mr Mundell has as yet resigned from their respective positions? No?
Funny that.
I’m not sire how cancelling brexit can help the Independence movement.
Oops, that should be”SURE”. I don’t give a tinker’s damn about saving England from itself – they’re all grown up and know what they want. And we won’t get any thanks for it either.
Worth reading.
https://wingsoverscotland.com/in-englands-dreaming/
Can we all say constitutional crisis? Spooky how following a process can lead to a logical conclusion. 😎
The Black Knight of Brexit…
‘Tis but a scratch’ …. ‘just a flesh wound’…. ‘I’m invincible!’
….and ….MSPs vote by 92 to 29 to reject the draft Brexit deal and the notion of a ‘no deal’ outcome ….’We’ll call it a draw’…..
.’Yet will I try the last’…..
I wish the Scottish 6 would have left well alone, let England have its Brexit, deal or no deal, and get on with Scottish independence. Why should Scots impose their will on the English? Scottish independence would also be English independence. Ah! But they would not have the subsidy they get from us!
Update:
https://www.gov.scot/news/parliament-rejects-brexit-deal/
Oh Jings! This’ll set the cat among the wossinames. ECJ ruling due 8am Monday 10th December.
https://archive.is/tgwdl
The worst outcome for the progress of Scottish Independence is the UK remaining in the EU. I really don’t understand why the SNP are pursuing it so hard. In fact, although it’s out of the question for the SNP to support it, Old demented TheresaMay’s deal is best for us. It diminishes the UK to such an extent that Scotland would be ashamed to be associated with them.
I say Theresa May’s deal, but this is of course the EU’s take it or leave it deal. After all, it took the English 2 years to produce the comic Chequer’s effort. Written on the back of a fag packet only a few months ago, it was immediately viewed by the EU as a dud Chequer’s and thrown in the bin. Then, 585 pages of forensically accurate legal text magically appeared. If anyone believes the English had a hand in writing it, then they’ll believe anything. Of course, the English Establishment and media are mendaciously giving production credits, to Theresa May.
I view all of this kaleidescope of horrors, from the perspective of what is best for Scottish Independence? Though no one can predict accurately, what’s going to emerge from the debris of the UK.
As I’ve said for a loooong time Marlon, there is no Brexit which is good for us. People will suffer regardless. There’s always the argument of what’s in the best interest of everyone to be considered. To do what you believe to be the right thing, even if it delays or harms your personal ambitions. It does Scotland no favours to see or wish harm on anyone if there was a possible way of avoiding it.
I don’t think that’s entirely what’s happening here though. If the ECJ follows through, it will have upheld the ruling of Scots law. That’d be an independent Scottish legal finding. Now throw into that mix the debate of the Claim of Right in commons, (which passed uncontested), the Continuity Bill case in the SC (which Scots law found to be solid), the passing of the right hold a referendum bill by Holyrood and the rejection of Brexit (deal or no deal) just yesterday.
A steady case of Scottish sovereignty is being asserted through following legal and political process and precedent.
Also? The UK may not yet remain in the EU regardless of the ruling. Any such ruling would only mean that parliament has the option available. Whether it is used or not is entirely up to them.
Their choice. All that could be honestly claimed at any point is that a handful of determined Scottish parliamentarians provided the chamber with that option.
Lessee what happens next.
BREAKING UPDATE!
Ruling on SC/Continuity Bill case date.
HERE
I struggle to find much sympathy for people who want to harm themselves, when there is no one else to blame but themselves. Plus the fact that, the very people who have engineered the whole Brexit mess, take every opportunity to even blame the SNP and the Scottish Government. See Prof TomTom yesterday and the unelectable Murdo Fraser today. Also, what seems like a never ending line of Unionist MP’s disparaging, ignoring, misrepresentating and flat out lying to Scotland and her representatives.
I’m sure that there are English people who wish Scotland well on her road to Independence. It’s just that I haven’t came across many. I don’t remember many saying, “Oh wait a minute, I don’t think it’s fair that Scotland is being dragged out of the EU by English votes. After all, they did vote to remain”. No, I haven’t heard much of that at all.
What I have heard lots of, is that our EU vote doesn’t count, because it was a vote for the whole UK. Any suggestions by the Scottish Government, on other solutions apart from hard Brexits, are contemptuously brushed aside. So they basically want us to keep quiet and just take what they give us, because we voted for this in 2014.
Macart, I admire your tolerance. This is why I could never be a politician or diplomat. When it comes to Scottish Independence, I see the injustice and contempt and I find it hard to take.
Tbh I have no idea what their motivation is Marlon and just as honestly, I don’t believe Westminster will act to prevent Brexit of some description. I think it’s become a runaway narrative at this point.
What I think can be achieved with any such ruling by the ECJ is that it would display that the sovereignty of Scottish law has been upheld. THAT we can use along with the other actions I’ve mentioned.
Stay strong, it’s about to get wild and hairy.
Check this out…any thoughts cheers
http://www.politics.co.uk/blogs/2018/12/05/raab-s-threats-to-ignore-the-grieve-amendment-threatens-cons?fbclid=IwAR2osW7Av55NKsHcI4hKc9PIGa7eyO0B8xZDXU19bnN8f4ldktb9HK5EMdE
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Wow!! Seems to me some politicians should be locked up until after end March. Dodgy stuff indeed.
“When you think of battles between parliament and government you naturally turn to the English Civil War. But the more pertinent example is Robespierre during the French Revolution. He claimed to represent the will of the people. He separated out a government, known as the Committee for Public Safety, to operate independently of elected representatives. And he slowly went completely mad.
There is no will of the people. It changes all the time. It is shifting, unpredictable and individual. Whenever anyone claims they represent it, they are behaving like a tyrant, because they treat as monolithic what is in fact varied and unpredictable. It is false on the most basic possible level. People voted for Brexit on the promise that a deal would be easy to achieve. That does not create a mandate for leaving with no deal and it is insane to pretend otherwise.
If we now have senior politicians saying they are going to disconnect government from parliament and take their mandate directly from the will of the people, we are in a very bad place indeed. These arguments should be stamped on now before the government dares to think it could act on them.”
Ian Dunt nails it.
The Money Men of the Anglo Brit Nat Establishment want out at any cost to protect their vast wealth squirrelled away in the Offshore ‘tax havens’.
If still in the EU at the start of the ’19- ’20 financial year the ECJ will hunt them down.
Leadsom and Raab are ‘taking back control’ for the Iron Heel Oligarchy, not the ‘Bittish people’.
Alons, enfants.
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