Brexit

[Witton Park]

Given the latest ruling by the courts, who is actually guilty of proroguing parliament, Boris or the Queen?

The ruling is that the advise given to the Queen was at fault as the court in Scotland found it wasn't the genuine advise.

In simple terms they are saying that behind the scenes Johnson has said "Let's close Parliament and shut the Commons up for a while" but gone to the Queen and said "Let's close Parliament down so we can have a Queen's speech.

I find it interesting that the courts in Scotland seem to be able to mind read what was in Johnson's mind at the time he spoke to the Queen, so would be surprised if it carried through the Supreme Court next week.

[Graham Breeze]

I find it interesting that the courts in Scotland seem to be able to mind read what was in Johnson's mind at the time he spoke to the Queen, so would be surprised if it carried through the Supreme Court next week.

Mind reading?

I once sacked a gas meter collector (which was the lowest post in the Company) at a joint Trade Union Hearing for borrowing a trivial amount of money during the collection week ("teeming and ladling") which technically was theft. The collector was not very bright but had over 20 years service, his sister had cancer,...the case cried out for mercy but my Trade Union opposite number and I decided that we had to follow the letter of the Company Law (theft = automatic dismissal) but assumed that the higher Joint Appeals Panel would override our judgement and display magnanimity etc. My boss, who would deal with the appeal, was content with what the panel had done.

But his Trade Union equivalent decided not to appeal the case.

[Witton Park]

Mind reading?

I once sacked a gas meter collector (which was the lowest post in the Company) at a joint Trade Union Hearing for borrowing a trivial amount of money during the collection week ("teeming and ladling") which technically was theft. The collector was not very bright but had over 20 years service, his sister had cancer,...the case cried out for mercy but my Trade Union opposite number and I decided that we had to follow the letter of the Company Law (theft = automatic dismissal) but assumed that the higher Joint Appeals Panel would override our judgement and display magnanimity etc. My boss, who would deal with the appeal, was content with what the panel had done.

But his Trade Union equivalent decided not to appeal the case.

Not sure how it's linked Graham sorry.

Back at the time of the Tory leadership contest, Raab threw in the idea of a blanket prorogation from September to end October.
Some candidates clearly distanced themselves from it. Johnson merely said he didn't see it happening.

That discussion might have taken place between advisors, even cabinet members and up to PM along the lines of "it would certainly sort the problem out wouldn't it...." I don't doubt.

But fact is, the prorogation that Johnson went for didn't and couldn't have "stymied" the Commons and in fact we have seen clear evidence of that in the last week's proceedings.

The Scottish judges appear to be saying Johnson wanting to present a Queen's Speech was a ruse. He didn't really mean it and in reality he wanted to stymie the Commons.

That's supposition in my opinion.

.

[Graham Breeze]

The Scottish Court knows that whatever they decide their decision will go to a higher authority so it is all a bit of a game - and the popular decision in Scotland is to find against Johnson.

[Witton Park]

The Scottish Court knows that whatever they decide their decision will go to a higher authority so it is all a bit of a game - and the popular decision in Scotland is to find against Johnson.

So you think they are bent then
Well if I'd have said that....

[noel]

I see parts of operation yellowhammer (why that name?) have now been released.

I think the bit about food shortages and medicine shortages is being blown out of proportion. I suspect there would be some short-shelf-life foods that would become unsellable in the lorries while waiting 2.5 days at Dover, but that doesn't really amount to food shortages in my book. I can go a few weeks without strawberries. I think the medicine shortages story falls into the same category.

However, the increase in electricity prices would be more of a concern, since this affects many parts of the economy. As always, the devil is in the detail. No doubt remainers will say it could be a doubling of the price, while brexiteers will say it is likely to go down after a negligible increase.

BTW: Bridge between Scotland and Ireland!!

[Wheeze]

I spent 14 years in the military. We ALWAYS planned for worst case scenario i.e. Russian invasion. Of course, it never happened. WCS is just that...worst case. The actuality is often better or of no consequence. But you would never let public, or worse, the press, know what WCS was!

[DangerMouse]

Yes, of course!

I am sure my friend won't mind me sharing this little anecdote from a few months ago:

"I usually take the dog for a walk in some woods just north of the hospital. A few months ago I was walking in area I hadn’t been to before when I could hear shouting. I found an area with some old (very large) corrugated iron barns, and parking outside, with about 30 police vans, a dozen police cars and about 20 other cars parked up. A copper stopped me and asked me to put the dog on a lead as “we are throwing petorl bombs”. When I came around the corner there were about 100 coppers in full riot gear belting their shields and crossing trenches filled with burning petrol.

About a week earlier I had read an article in the Plymouth Herald about them trying to get information under the Freedom of Information Act about rumours they had heard that the police were ramping up training activities in preparation for a no-deal Brexit. I asked the copper whether this was what they were training before; he didn’t confirm of deny it but grinned and said they had to be prepared for all eventualities."

[Witton Park]

However, the increase in electricity prices would be more of a concern, since this affects many parts of the economy. As always, the devil is in the detail. No doubt remainers will say it could be a doubling of the price, while brexiteers will say it is likely to go down after a negligible increase.

Increasing energy prices has been an issue for quite a while, hence Red Ed proposing an energy price cap way back when, and then Mrs May adopting the same policy.

Quite simple really, build more capacity, don't add any tariffs to imported energy, or imported fuel, and consider reviewing the climate levies that add a huge chunk to current bills.

They can even eliminate the 5% VAT on domestic gas and electricity.

[Witton Park]

Can you imagine if we had an operation Yellowhammer equivalent for Fell Running.

"We're all going to die of hypothermia as the force 9 winter storm descends on us" or something along those lines.

"We'll have to stop fell running" shout all the track fairies.

But back to Yellowhammer, it is described as a "reasonable worst case scenario".

Why haven’t they published the reasonable BEST case scenario as well?