So the government was defeated by something like the same margin as the original Brexit vote so presumably this result should be ignored.
So the government was defeated by something like the same margin as the original Brexit vote so presumably this result should be ignored.
If you look at social media, it seems the most notable thing that happened today was Jacob Rhys-Mogg reclining on the front bench - he doesn't do himself any favours at times.
Some other minor footnotes that weren't as photogenic: another defection from the conservatives mean they no longer have an overall majority, government defeated again, possible election...
JRM has been used to sitting far left and used to lean up in the corner half-turned like that in the quiet, later sittings and talk with fellow MPs sat behind him.Originally Posted by noel
It doesn't look good on the front bench.
The defection was always going to happen. Lee in particular has been threatening for a while. He set up a campaign for a 2nd referendum himself.
As they've removed the whip from those that voted against, they are now around 23 short of a Commons majority.
Interesting times.
Richard Taylor
"William Tell could take an apple off your head. Taylor could take out a processed pea."
Sid Waddell
As has been said elsewhere, to think it was felt that Theresa May was out of her depth ....
The party system is really being tested here.
The Tories under May failed.
A leadership contest saw 92% of MPs vote for a future leader that was going to be leaving on or around 31/10 deal or no deal.
In the final 5, Rory Stewart only gained 9% and the other 4 all were committed to leave promptly even if they would not 100% commit to that 31/10 date.
The membership fully supported it.
On Tuesday 6.7% of the Tory MPs (21 of 310, not counting Lee) who went against that party process and sided with the opposition.
Much has been said of the removal of the whip, that in the past others have defied the whip and not had it removed.
However, these 21 didn't vote against a Govt bill. They voted with an opposition bill, aimed at removing the power of their own Govt and in some cases actually helped to construct the bill and/or put their name to it.
In effect, those 21 joined the opposition.
But it won't end here.
The LibDems have had non-MP resignations over the admission of Philip Lee. Here is a Tory MP who opposed some of the Liberal policies of the Coalition.
There was tension when they accepted Umuna who has a string of derogatory tweets and statements about them such as "Vince Cable talks about increasing the minimum wage, but you can’t trust a word the Lib Dems say."
That they are happy to provide a home for any disaffected Labour or Tory Mps certainly isn't unifying them.
Then we have Labour, who have managed to duck below the radar on Brexit in recent months.
When we inevitably get a General Election their likely Brexit Policy will be:
1. Renegotiate a deal with EU.
2. 2nd referendum where they will campaign against the deal they have negotiated to revoke and Remain.
(work that one out if you can)
Quite how a General Election campaign will go on that position in areas like Sunderland, Wakefield and Wigan I do not know.
and then we even have the SNP who do appear to be the only ones without an issue. The problem is, even their policy is a bit barking.
They will use every ounce of energy they can to keep the UK in the EU, and then use every ounce of energy to take Scotland out of the UK (and the EU) and then apply to rejoin the EU.
As recent as 2017 at the General Election we saw the Tories and Labour take 82% of the vote.
I can actually see a scenario where they fail to reach 50% between them.
Last edited by Witton Park; 05-09-2019 at 08:14 AM.
Richard Taylor
"William Tell could take an apple off your head. Taylor could take out a processed pea."
Sid Waddell
I absolutely love this one. Imagine their pitch, vote for us, we're going to renegotiate a new deal with the EU. Then we're going to ask you to vote against it. Why? Well it's rubbish and we should know, we negotiated it!
Then we have Labour, who have managed to duck below the radar on Brexit in recent months.
When we inevitably get a General Election their likely Brexit Policy will be:
1. Renegotiate a deal with EU.
2. 2nd referendum where they will campaign against the deal they have negotiated to revoke and Remain.
(work that one out if you can
You seem to have summed up what actually did happen with Dominic Raab. And he's one of the ones who's still in the cabinet!
I'm sorry Noel, but you are going to have to help me out with this one.
Richard Taylor
"William Tell could take an apple off your head. Taylor could take out a processed pea."
Sid Waddell
He's lost me too.
Negotiating a deal with the EU then asking his colleagues to vote against it saying it's rubbish.
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