This is a main reason why I am pro-EU. It’s BECAUSE they are imposing rules on all governments together, so it’s not necessary to flout them to make a quick buck.

The one size fits all rules might be beneficial to some industries but Not to all (countries). The one rule for all argument is essentially the strength of bureaucracy where everyone is treated the same.

What you are arguing is very similar to the standard setting argument where complying with a particular standard assures familiarity and confidence. The problem is the authority and power that set the standard by restricting or imposing on others.

If we were to live in a pluralistic society shouldn’t we retain some flexibility as to whether we wish to comply or not to comply with the rules?

Commons leader Andrea Leadsom quits government over Brexit

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48374098

The one size fits all rules might be beneficial to some industries but Not to all (countries).

So, some countries don’t need clean safe swimming beaches then? Which ones are those? Which EU countries are being harmed by them?

The point is that ‘don’t give a shit’ countries like Britain can’t get away with not bothering to spend money on environmental protection.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/nigel-farage-milkshake-brexit-party-bus-european-elections-protest-milkshaking-a8926011.html

🤣

Can I just say that my prediction from yesterday seems to have actually happened

Apparently, the entire cabinet has this morning signed up to the Maybot’s latest ‘bold, new’ withdrawal bill.

So expect half of them to resign before it makes it into parliament in order to vote against it. The first will probably be gone by close of play today. I’m going Andrea Leadson as part of her latest leadership bid

She’s first out of the gate. I expect the rest will follow shortly

Damn! Didn’t put any money on it! 🙁

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48374098

& another wheel on the Maybot wagon comes off…

Ironically, the contributor most suited to being a bureaucrat is chewkw.

Ironically, the contributor most suited to being a bureaucrat is chewkw.

It is no surprise really as I have already told everyone on this forum I am a low ranking bureaucrat. If I were to get my power and authority all of you will have to comply.
Do as I say regardless and feel the full force of my poweerrrrr … in office … 🤣

So chewkw as a low ranking bureaucrat thinks there is too much bureaucracy and instead proposed dictatorship. Figures really.

So basically you think the EU is in need of reform then? Glad we agree. How do you propose we facilitate that after we’ve left?

5th largest economy is a tiny market?

Further reading:

https://money.cnn.com/2017/11/22/news/economy/uk-france-biggest-economies-in-the-world/index.html

Makes you think.

Hopefully.

GDP/per capita we are down in the 20s.

More polling on the scotland situation which adds little clarity to what I said before. Looks like your anti brexit tactical vote is green or lib dem or possibly snp to oust the tories – probably in that order but depends what poll you read. some have the lib dems best placed to do this, some the greens.

European elections 2019: what will happen in Scotland?

https://whatukthinks.org/eu/questions/european-parliament-election-2019-vote-intention-scotland/

How do you think you would vote in the 2019 European election?

Oh God…you got suckered in, didn’t you? Let me guess, nothing makes any sense, there’s zero citations supporting assertions and the whole thing is contradictory to the point that anyone without the killfile reading this thread is thinking “Huh?”.

It’s done on purpose. No-one is that obtuse by accident.

Anyway, back on topic for a moment. May clearly isn’t intending on going anywhere, partly because she knows that her likely replacement isn’t known for his careful, considered response to anything. Now more than ever we need a leader of the Conservative Party who can broaden their appeal beyond a dwindling membership base with an ideology that’s increasingly out of step with actual people – if you care to venture beyond our echo chamber, you’ll find food banks, poverty and the humiliation that it brings have increased in the last nine years. That the backlash has been deflected and parried so that the narrative reads “let’s leave the EU on some magical technicality and they’ll have to do our bidding because we’re British and we helped win a war, seventy five years ago and we actually want the most damaging Brexit imaginable” is a triumph for the party that brought us here. I’m tired of debating with people who – and let’s be kind – have never read the small print on a mobile phone contract, yet are experts in how to best interpret GATT24.

Makes you think.

That you should look at up-to-date figures rather than an 18 month old article, which have been discussed before on this very thread, UK growth has actually been better than France and Germany in the last year, such that we have edged ahead of France again.

Leadsom!

How? How on earth can someone so obviously as thick as pig shit end up in a position like Leader of the House of Commons?

The likes of her, Duncan Smith, Davies, Raab And Fox owe Chris Grayling a lot as only such a total bellend could be a lightning rod for their preservation.

God help us.

How on earth can someone so obviously as thick as pig shit end up in a position like Leader of the House of Commons?

Consolation prize for not being PM? I also dont think its really that important a post. Could be wrong but seems mostly ceremonial rather than real decision making.

Of course it could equally be asked how the hell did she get to be an MP at all.

Mefty – I suspect without looking you’re correct (and wasn’t much of the slip due to exchange rates originally anyway) however I think the general point being made that 5th or 6th is still pretty small compared to the totality of the EU economy.
Now whether that matters…

Good to see you back by the way – voting Green tomorrow?

How will May cope without the towering intellect of ledsome!!??!

Good old Dave, give the swivel eyed ,(his words not mine) a referendum & settle the Tory Europe issue once & for all 😀

It’s settled now, he’s killed the Tory party, shame they had to drag the country along with them!

Any leader, regardless, that offers the possibility of a 2nd referendum just after the referendum is committing a career suicide … 🤣

Initially, I thought PM May had the guts to take us out with No Deal but she caved in … 😄 (initially I supported her because she was the best option)

Corbyn is much more intelligent by not stating his position clearly or he would go the same way to the chopping block. Instead he let his followers do the talking so nothing stick to him. True art of politics 👍 🤣

PM May could have done the right thing by championing the No Deal to fight her way through to have a better chance to go down in history as a PM that stands her ground, instead she turns herself into a remainder … I mean how silly is that! Even if she is a secret remainder as a PM she simply cannot/should not go against the referendum or the wishes of the majority 🤣

Lesson to learn for future PM or leaders. Do Not go against the wishes of the referendum or the majority. Simples. 😌

Leadsome has actually done a pretty good job as Leader of the House, managing the timetable has been pretty fraught but she has stuck to it, she has made a difference in sorting out decent working conditions for parliamentary staff – see bullying allegations – and has politely put Bercow in his place on occasions. Her stock has certainly risen among many parliamentarians. Don’t see any prospect of her becoming leader though.

voting Green tomorrow?

Unlikely, I have known the lead Brexit candidate for 40 years and he is capable, hard working and intelligent – all admirable qualities – not sure yet.

Leadsome has actually done a pretty good job as Leader of the House, …

Yes, she is good but she does not have the look of a leader.

Whether you agree or disagree in British politics the last strong leader was Thatcher …
Ok, you may include Blair if you wish to …

The current crop of politicians from the two or three main parties are all weak … many can easily be seen as chancers.

I’ve actually been surprised by how well Leadsom has done specifically as Leader, even though she’s undermined the position by still being a compulsive liar outside of the commons.

Can I just say that my prediction from yesterday seems to have actually happened

Has your May/Corbyn brexit stitch up (next week) happened yet? You seemed quite sure a few weeks back.

by still being a compulsive liar outside of the commons.

The city high flyer!

Not to mention mixing up Thangam Debbonaire and Rupa Huq recently…well…back in February. I suppose they’re both a bit brown…

Whoever it was a couple of pages back predicted a non sequitur wins a prize.

managing the timetable has been pretty fraught

It’s been mostly empty.

, I have known the lead Brexit candidate for 40 years and he is capable, hard working and intelligent

I’d rather spend time with people who are incapable, lazy and below average IQ but with qualities such as humanity, an open mind, caring, thoughtful and capable of independant thought, trustworthy, honest, selfless, helpful… .

Care to name your friend, Mefty so we can Google and discuss his qualities and faults objectively rather than just believe you. All the ones I’ve looked up are nasty pieces of work.

It would be interesting to know which one Meftys pal is – seeing as all analysis I have seen shows what a thoroughly unpleasant bunch they are

Everything you wanted to know about The Brexit Party European Election candidates… but were afraid to ask

More on tactical voting. Still no huge clarity on the best candidate in Scotland.

The SNP is the leading Remain party in Scotland and looks as if it should get three seats without being particularly close to getting a fourth. There appears to be little chance of Lib Dem or Change UK winning a seat. The last two seats are close between Greens, Conservatives, Labour and Brexit. The Greens are ahead but well within the margin of error. Nevertheless, the best way to make sure one of the Remain parties doesn’t miss out narrowly is to vote Green.

Remain voters may also want to consider giving Labour some help to stay ahead of the Conservatives and avert the risk of a second Brexit party seat. Scottish Remain supporters currently intending to vote Labour should probably stick with it. Labour’s lead candidate is David Martin, a senior figure in the Party of European Socialists and a Labour Remain signatory.

https://www.politics.co.uk/comment-analysis/2019/05/22/the-remain-strategy-region-by-region-voting-guide

That’s me voted. First in the door with not even another person seen on their way there.

Tactical voting for Labour to help stop Brexit Party gaining a seat in Scotland as it seems SNP pretty much have 3 of the 4 seats. No option for Green here which I might have voted for.

Blimey.

Just been to vote. Normally at EU and local elections I get the impression that’s it just me, Mrs somewhatslightlydazed and some very bored polling station staff. (if you go in the evening you can see just how few names are crossed off their lists)

This morning at 7.05 the place was (relatively) heaving. More like a GE turnout.

Unfortunately we live in a part of the world where the tory always gets in. So I imagine that this time most of these concerned voters were going for the Brexit party 🙁

Unfortunately we live in a part of the world where the tory always gets in. So I imagine that this time most of these concerned voters were going for the Brexit party

I fear you might be right. I work with lots of 18 year olds and admittedly they are focusing on A level exams but the apathy about registering to vote was substantial. You have to give the purple rinse dullards a modicum of respect for consistently getting out to vote.

Like you I live in a predominantly tory area and feel like the EU vote is the only one that I have any effect on. Because of the PR there are enough of us over the SE of England who don’t vote tory that my vote can at least stack up with others and get at least some non tories elected in my area.

Normally I’d be cheering the complete collapse of the Tory party.

But they’ve only gone & let the far right in.

I suppose that no one who votes for the Brexit party can complain about Corbyn being anti-Semitic or pro IRA again!

Voted.

Also, the town of Gravesend has managed to achieve two amazing things, the first is Gemma Arterton, the second is this: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/22/nigel-farage-shelters-on-campaign-bus-to-avoid-milkshake-attack?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Voted.

Also, the town of Gravesend has managed to achieve two amazing things, the first is Gemma Arterton, the second is this: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/may/22/nigel-farage-shelters-on-campaign-bus-to-avoid-milkshake-attack?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

His milkshake brings all the boys to the yard.

Has anyone received a voting card? I’m pretty sure we haven’t.

At the local elections we were one of the wards trialling bringing ID to the polling station so I think I’ll just take my (EU) passport along.

I’ve just voted twice.  Nobody else around in the polling station and a handful of entries on that list where they write your number when they give you the ballot paper. I’m in Goves constituency so anything with a blue rosette would get voted in, but this time at least my votes will be recognised.

(proxy vote for mrsp – nothing dodgy)

Everyone I know is tactical voting (Libs or Greens).

Surely, She’ll be out by the end of the week and we’ll be remaining by popular consensus in all but a missing 2nd Referendum.

Fast forward to boris being pm. Will that satisfy the illiterati or will they want Lord Far Far?

Will it be a Tory /brexit coalition? Will the swivel eyed vote be split?

I can’t imagine Lord Far Far slipping away quietly.

What happens if his funds are deemed illegal by the EU people?