Forum Topic

Letwin amendment backed

Let's see what Johnson does now

Michael Ixer ● 2580d25 Comments

Apparently 'I will not negotiate a delay with the EU and neither does the law compel me to do so.' So what about the Benn law?

Lucille Grant ● 2580d

The anti-democrats claim they are trying to block 'no deal' but they are really trying to block any sort of deal.It will be a shame if the traitors fail to budge, but if necessary let's bring on NO DEAL! Hear hear.....

Paul Game ● 2580d

I've lost the plot and will to live.Good rugby this morning and good Ascot racing on now.ORDER...ORDER...

Simon Knight ● 2580d

"It will be a shame if the traitors fail to budge..."I don't normally bother with obvious trolls, but this comment is too unpleasant to ignore.  Someone who just happens to disagree with your opinions is not a traitor, and I think you should moderate your language. 

Richard Carter ● 2580d

Order Mr Carter ORDER!I'm trying to steer the topic around to something we're good at rather than the things we're shite at.

Simon Knight ● 2580d

Yes, Michael, let us see what BJ does now.I wholeheartedly hope he does not send the letter seeking an extension followed by another saying he does not mean it.Unfortunately, I would not put it past him.  Somehow he thinks he is above Parliament.  The UK President as it were....

Ivonne Holliday ● 2580d

He could do that but once he's issued the first letter it's up to the EU to consider what they want to do. The general view is the EU don't want a no-deal Brexit so many think they'd grant an extension. Johnson could then say he'd complied with the letter of the law (no pun intended) but hadn't negotiated anything. It's interesting that many in his own party don't seem to trust him, and Farage seems to hate him. At least with Corbyn is WYSIWYG; and, ok, some don't want too get what they see 🙂!) but perhaps better than someone who lies and tells people what they want to hear just to get them onside ... Seems the DUP have rumbled Johnson?

Michael Ixer ● 2580d

Simon, drinks order? Red wine, please. Very kind of you 🙂 (Or should that be vin rouge?)

Michael Ixer ● 2580d

I don't see it's that big a deal for leavers. OK to the vote didn't go through this evening but even Letwin said he would vote to pass the deal when it comes up. All that has happened is another block on the chances of 'no  deal'. The dealnlegislation can still pass in time for 31st presumably?

Matt Palmer ● 2580d

Matt. I think Johnson's problem is that without Letwin's amendment he was hoping to railroad the legislation through with minimal scrutiny with the threat if MPs or lords haggled over it and it didn't pass it by 31/Oct the UK would drop out without a deal. Typical arrogant public school bully who think he knows best. Now, parliament can review it in detail without unnecessary pressure and Johnson et al will need to justify the benefits of what they've agreed to. 

Michael Ixer ● 2580d

ah ok, well that's good then :)Good to see Parliament taking back control ;)

Matt Palmer ● 2580d

Yes. And a point just made on the news is that the withdrawal bill (as opposed to the agreement) is one of the largest and complex piece of legislation going through parliament so it could take months. Plus parliament still has the Queen's speech to vote on.

Michael Ixer ● 2580d

I think reading about BJ on Wikipedia at this moment would be very helpful indeed.  Particularly as to how he managed to become the President of the Oxford Union.

Ivonne Holliday ● 2580d

Boris should learn not to double cross his Irish friends? I suppose he's drowning his sorrows but probably not with Guinness?

Michael Ixer ● 2580d

Ha ha ha ha!!!

Ivonne Holliday ● 2580d

Yes, Ivonne. And his career at the Times. Obviously someone will to invent facts or mislead ... Perhaps the DUP should have read his Wiki entry after listening to his speech at their conference ...

Michael Ixer ● 2580d

That should read "... willing to ..."

Michael Ixer ● 2580d

There is something extremely sad about hearing the cheers of MPs after the Letwin amendment passes. Silencing 17.4 million people (once again) is not something to cheer about. They will get their comeuppance at the next election. Democracy always wins, in the end.

Paul Game ● 2579d

As I understand it Letwin proposes to vote for the new deal, and would have done so on Saturday if Johnson and co had proceeded. Letwin is just ensuring that there is adequate time for scrutiny of the detail in the corresponding bill. Listening to various reports it sounds like a bill of that size and complexity requires around two months to pass through parliament if it's processed properly. If Johndon hadn't played stupid games ttying to prorogue parliament for 4 weeks we might have been half way there. Also, if Johnson hadn't lied to the DUP at their conference he might not have lost their votes? Finally, alienating one's own MPs and losing one's majority isn't a great plan. Have to say JRM didn't look happy, perhaps he wishes May was back?

Michael Ixer ● 2579d

Surprising that 27 countries were able to agree this document within days but 640 odd MPs need weeks to read the small print.  The quicker the Number of MPs are reduced the better, the House of Commons is incapable of functioning properly.  To say nothing of the extra fees to the EU and damage to the economy of indecision. Don’t get me started on the House of Lords.  Really get rid of them.

Robert Wheeler ● 2579d

Robert. The Commons could have agreed the deal yesterday; it's the withdrawal bill that disentangles the UK from the EU that takes time and needs careful scrutiny by Parliament. That doesn't have to go through the European Parliament.

Michael Ixer ● 2579d

The small detail perhaps doesn't affect the  other 27 member countries as it does Britain, Robert. In any case  all UK bills are rightly scrutinised before being put to Parliament. Why should this one be any different?500 pages of small print and the excellent Keir Starmer quite rightly raises questions about the difference between Boris's WA Deal and May's WA Deal. Letwin was right and it is interesting to note that he  will in all probability vote for Boris's WA Deal after scrutiny.

Lucille Grant ● 2579d

Come on Michael it doesn’t take weeks and is obviously a delaying tactic but they think we are all to thick to realise it.  A large proportion of the House are in the legal profession and are obviously capable of reading dense documents.  Seriously this lot have to go.

Robert Wheeler ● 2579d

The time is taken not by the reading but the debating of amendments, particularly if they get passed between the Commons and Lords a couple of times. Sounds like the DUP will be active in the debating - and they're leaver supporters! Perhaps the EU has less of an issue with the agreement because they consider it a good deal?

Michael Ixer ● 2579d

I cannot see anything wrong with having more time to consider the amended WA, the famous one that was voted down three times previously.  As the saying goes, the devil is always in the detail.  The details must be considered thoroughly.Also, I do not think the HoC said no to the proposed deal, they asked for time to consider it carefully.

Ivonne Holliday ● 2579d