British Politics
Been on holiday for a few weeks, surprised to find no general discussion of British politics so though I'd kick one off.
Tory leadership contest is quickly turning into farce. Trump has backed Boris, which should be reason enough for anyone with half a brain to exclude him.
Of the other candidates Rory Stewart looks the best of the outsiders. Surprised to see Cleverly and Javid not further up the betting, but not sure the Tory membership are ready for a brown PM.
https://www.oddschecker.com/politics/bri...
Regarding the LD leadership contest, Jo Swinson is miles ahead of any other candidate (and indeed any of the Tory lot). Should be a shoe in.
Finally, it's Groundhog Day in Labour - the more serious the anti-Semitism claims get, the more Corbyn's cronies write their own obituary by blaming it on outlandish conspiracy theories - this week, it's apparently the Jewish Embassy's fault...
Mordaunt will win imo unless Johnson somehow manages a comeback.
Mordaunt would probably the best case scenario for the UK. I feel we've got about a decade of the nutters before the Tories make a smart decision.
Amazing that we've reached the stage where the standout candidate for the Conservative leadership is thought to be better than all the others because (a) she once held a sword and (b) because she's capable of coaxing a last erection out of some old, shriveled penixes as she reminds the owners of said penixes of Margaret Thatcher a little bit.
That's why she's the top choice for me!
Cameron is a good bet.
Mordaunt will probably lose her seat at the next election, so it won't be her taking over from Sunak.
Yeah sure. That's why she's second favourite at the bookies.
Dont need to be an MP to be leader. Dont even need one to be PM although they would probably arrange a seat.
Sir Alec Douglas-Home was the last lord to be PM and then they arranged a seat so he could be an MP.
Also when betting there's some chance the next leader will be before the next election.
Cameron as an inverted Grand Old Duke Of York, first marching us all the way down the hill then marching us all the way back by rejoining the EU.
If we vote to rejoin under cameron with him leading the 'stay out' side of the referendum campaign then I will just have to start believing that there is a god (and it might be me)
I have raised that before and it could be an issue. Currently you would - thanks to putin and trump
It's bad enough for the EU (and for us just to be clear) that we're out. To actually reject us if we seriously want to rejoin would cause a schism.
Senior EU figures have made noises recently about welcoming the UK back in. Not sure what the terms would be, though.
The net effect could be quite similar to when we inadvertently crashed out of the ERM, sending interest rates soaring to 15% in a forlorn attempt to prevent a run on the pound, when the fall of interest rates back to their previous levels somehow provided a huge impetus to the economy which started to boom lol.
We should probably allow the idiot Brexiters to claim it was all part of their cunning plan if it means getting Brenter done. Brenter means Brenter and all that.
I have raised that before and it could be an issue. Currently you would - thanks to putin and trump
It's bad enough for the EU (and for us just to be clear) that we're out. To actually reject us if we seriously want to rejoin would cause a schism.
jokes aside i am pretty sure we would agree but it won't be on the same terms i fear. No rebate, and a commitment to join the euro will be required (afaik we don't exempt any new entrants from that, only countries in from before the eur were allowed to be exempted to commit to the eur).
Also London would hardly get back both EU agencies it had before. Either EMA or EBA is going to stay on the continent.
The commitment required to join the Euro (which I would be in favour of anyway) is merely a declaration of intent, that's all.
jokes aside i am pretty sure we would agree but it won't be on the same terms i fear. No rebate, and a commitment to join the euro will be required (afaik we don't exempt any new entrants from that, only countries in from before the eur were allowed to be exempted to commit to the eur).
Also London would hardly get back both EU agencies it had before. Either EMA or EBA is going to stay on the continent.
It probably wouldn't be the same but any binding commitment to join the euro would be waived in a heartbeat (shame as I think we shoud join)
We would get agencies at some point. Probably wouldn't be part of a rejoin deal but the UK would have serious elbows as a member and the case for it's share of agencies would become irresistible
It's kicked off in parliament
Chaos in the Commons as SNP and Tory MPs walk out
Shortly before the walkout, the SNP's Brendan O'Hara said the Commons had "descended into absolute chaos because of the decision of the Speaker earlier today" and demanded Lindsay Hoyle return to the Chamber.
Deputy Speaker Rosie Winterton responds Hoyle will be be "back in his place tomorrow" adding "it looks so bad to our constituents" when MPs are "just shouting each other down".
Gaza vote transformed into a protest vote about Commons procedure
Susan Hulme
Parliamentary correspondent
There have not been scenes like this in the Commons Chamber since the fevered days of the Brexit debates when John Bercow was the speaker.
The current Speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, was supposed to restore decorum and calm. And so far, he’s done that.
But the tense and sensitive issue of Gaza – and the raised political temperature ahead of a general election – has led to angry voices and confusion.
His attempt to find a way through tricky political waters infuriated the Scottish National Party and Conservatives who believed he was easing a difficult situation for Labour.
So tonight, we have a packed chamber, furious MPs: Confusion all round about procedure.
And no sign of the Speaker himself, with his Deputy, Dame Rosie Winterton trying to fend off criticism and maintain order.
The expected votes on Gaza have been replaced now by a protest vote about Commons procedure instead.
BreakingLabour amendment for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire passes
The vote to sit in private has been rejected.
The Labour amendment calling for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire" has passed without a vote.
Motion as amended passed without a vote, too, with some MPs screaming aye.
Sir Lindsay Hoyle is back in the House to respond to very vocal complaints of his handling of this debate.
"I wanted to do the best by every member of the house," he says.
"I regret how it's ended up. It was not my intention. I wanted all to ensure they could express their views. As it was, in particularly the SNP, were unable to vote on their own proposition.
"It is with my sadness that it ended in this position. It was never my intention. I recognise the strength of feeling of this house and its members. I will reflect on my part in that. I do not want it to have ended like this."
He says he will "meet all key players" in the coming hours on what is the best way forward.
"I thought I was doing the right thing. I do take responsibility for my actions."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-polit...
Meanwhile in Gaza ...
Storm in a teacup
Gaza vote that's not actually about Gaza.
ITS ALL KICKING OFF LADS
SNP moaners are moaning as loud as they can cos someone is bothering to listen for a change. I'm shocked, I tell you, shocked.
Perhaps they will stop moaning after today for a bit, now they've had a good moan.
I think the SNP's position is genuine. So is the tories fwiw. Labour are slowly being dragged into a position and I'd agree that's barely about Gaza although many of the MPs are bothered.
What wasn't clear yesterday was that Starmer had a private meeting with Hoyle about threats made to Labour MPs from angry constituents since they toed the party line over the SNP motion in November, and this persuaded Hoyle to allow the Labour amendment.
