The mini Donald Trump has people out protesting his action against his Parliament ….
The Brits across Europe aren’t completely happy about with leaving the European Union….
In Cambridge’s Market Square, a crowd of families, young people and silver-haired academics listened as Percy Bysshe Shelley’s The Masque of Anarchywas read out. Many joined in, from memory, making a collective appeal for non-violent resistance: “Rise, like lions after slumber… Ye are many – they are few.” There were moments of more garrulous protest too. During a speech criticising Boris Johnson, someone shouted: “Off with his head!”
From Bodmin to Berlin, Bristol to Oxford, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in towns and cities across England, Scotland and Wales on Saturday to vent their fury at Johnson’s plan to suspend parliament. Around 1,200 people attended the rally in Cambridge, where they booed the prime minister and his adviser Dominic Cummings as though they were pantomime villains.
Demonstrations more than 1,000-strong were seen in cities including Manchester, Newcastle and York, where a crowd carrying EU and Yorkshire flags convened outside the famous Bettys tea rooms.
Others were held in Amsterdam’s Dam Square, outside the British embassy in Latvia’s capital Riga, and beside the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin. In the German capital one protester waved a banner that read: “The last time this happened, Cromwell discontinued the custom of kings wearing their heads on their shoulders.”
The anger was particularly vocal in London. Outside Downing Street, demonstrators chanted “Shame on you”. Momentum, which backs Jeremy Corbyn, told its 40,000 members to “occupy bridges and blockade roads”. Within hours, a sizeable group had brought Trafalgar Square to a standstill by sitting in the road.
Vox
@voxdotcom
Across the UK, thousands of protesters demanded PM Boris Johnson reverse a decision to suspend Parliament.
With Parliament suspended, lawmakers will have about three weeks to deliver Brexit after having failed to do so for more than two years….
Twitter…
Link…
Will the Tories go the way of the GOP — converting from the National Union of Conservative and Unionist Associations into a monolithic Party that always and uniformly does what The Leader wants?
(When FDR toured the South in 1938 in order to replace southern conservative Democratic rebels with more-reliable New Dealers, his purge failed miserably.)
(BBC News, Saturday)
It would be “staggeringly hypocritical” for the government to sack Conservative MPs who rebel over its Brexit plans, former chancellor Philip Hammond says.
It comes after the Sun reported No 10 would stop any Tory MP who votes to block a no-deal Brexit from standing for the party in a general election.
Government sources haven’t denied this.
But Mr Hammond said eight current cabinet members had themselves defied the party whip this year by voting against Theresa May’s Brexit deal.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that Parliament would be suspended, or prorogued, just days after MPs return to work in September, prompting an angry backlash from MPs and opponents of a no-deal Brexit.
The prime minister said the move would enable the government to bring forwards new legislation.
But Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn accused Mr Johnson of a “smash and grab on our democracy” in order to force through no deal by leaving MPs too little time to pass laws in Parliament aimed at preventing such an outcome.
At present, the default position in law is that the UK leaves the EU on 31 October, with or without a deal.
Some MPs who oppose a no-deal Brexit – including Conservatives – are planning to take action in Parliament next week.
Mr Corbyn has said opposition MPs have agreed to first try to avoid no deal using legislation, while using a vote of no confidence to bring down the government remained an option.
According to the Sun, Mr Johnson plans to sack any Tory MPs who back either of these moves.
Government sources told the BBC Boris Johnson wanted all MPs to “recognise their duty”
In response to the reports, Mr Hammond tweeted that he wanted to honour the party’s 2017 manifesto promise for a “smooth and orderly” exit and a “deep and special partnership” with the EU and “not an undemocratic No Deal”.
Conservative MP Sam Gyimah tweeted that the possibility of every MP who votes against “no-deal chaos” being purged showed the direction the party had gone in a very short space of time, adding that it was not “real Conservatism”.
And Conservative backbencher Antoinette Sandbach has said she will “always put [her constituents] interests above my career prospects” and her party.
Government sources told the BBC that Mr Johnson wanted all MPs to “recognise their duty” and “give him their support” to get the UK out of the EU by 31 October.
A government spokesperson said: “All options for party management are under consideration, but first and foremost the PM hopes MPs will deliver on the referendum result and back him on Parliament.”
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49539327
OhBoy!?
The 26 UK cities where protest demonstrations were planned:
Aberdeen (Scotland),
Birmingham,
Bournemouth,
Brighton,
Bristol,
Cambridge,
Chester (Friday night),
Doncaster:
Dundee (Scotland),
Exeter,
Glasgow (Scotland),
Leeds,
Liverpool,
London,
Leamington
Manchester,
Newcastle,
Norwich,
Nottingham,
Oxford,
Plymouth,
Romsey,
Southampton,
Sheffield,
Swansea (Wales),
Swindon,
Tavistock (mid-day Friday),
York,
Remain group Tech for UK say there are around 60 protests planned in total in the coming days…
more before-the fact detail & map links at
https://leftfootforward.org/2019/08/stopthecoup-full-list-of-protests-as-hundreds-of-thousands-expected-to-protest/
Pictures (e.g. handmade sign reading ’IF CLITHEROE IS PROTESTING, IT MUST BE BAD !!!”) at
https://www.libdemvoice.org/
Ole Boris is threatening his party members outloud, eh?
The Tory MP’s (like Labour but unlike the smaller parties) is hopelessly split three or four ways on Brexit: (1) No-Deal preferred, (2) No-Deal but only if necessary, (3) Leave only with a Deal, and (4) a second Referendum either because they want to Remain, or because they want to give the voters a second choice. That’s why over three attempts, Theresa May was unable to get a parliamentary majority for anything.
So strictly whipping the Conservative back-benchers (the 1922 Committee) even to the point of threatening de-selection at the next General Election — over a matter where there is no agreed party consensus — is close to a British equivalent of converting (à la Trump) an ordinary party of the Right into nothing more than the tool of a particular leader.
Trumpier by the day, or who sez we gotta follow some dumb law that Parliament passes ?
(BBC News)
Brexit: Gove won’t commit to abide by law to block no deal
Tory minister Michael Gove has refused to say whether the government would abide by legislation designed to stop the UK leaving the EU without a deal.
Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer told the BBC MPs would introduce a bill seeking to do that when Parliament returns this week.
But asked if the government would abide by this if it succeeded, Mr Gove said: “Let’s see what the legislation says.”
Sir Keir described Mr Gove’s comments as “breathtaking”.
Cabinet minister Mr Gove also said “some” food prices “may go up” and “other prices will come down” in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Meanwhile, the EU’s lead Brexit negotiator has rejected Boris Johnson’s demands for the controversial Irish backstop to be scrapped.
The UK is due to leave the EU on 31 October, with or without a deal.
The prime minister says he is willing to leave without one rather than miss the deadline, which has prompted a number of opposition MPs to unite to try and block a possible no deal.
Sir Keir told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: “The legislation is intended to ensure we don’t leave without a deal, that will require an extension.
“The length of the extension is secondary, frankly. We have simply got to stop us leaving without a deal.”
Labour’s shadow chancellor John McDonnell told Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday that plans to block a no-deal Brexit will be published on Tuesday.
He said the “ultimate goal this week” was to “ensure Parliament can have a final say”.
But when asked if the government would abide by legislation preventing a no-deal Brexit, Mr Gove, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, told the BBC’s Andrew Marr Show: “Let’s see what the legislation says.
“You’re asking me about a pig in a poke.
“And I will wait to see what legislation the opposition may try to bring forward.”
Sir Keir responded on Twitter, saying Mr Gove’s response was “breathtaking”, adding: “No government is above the law.”….
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49541942
Boris is up to something….
Post coming…
Brexit: Election discussions in No 10 amid Brexit battle
BBC News, 2 hours ago
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49549960
Boris Johnson is considering seeking an early general election if MPs wanting to block a no-deal Brexit defeat the government this week.
The BBC understands “live discussions” are going on in No 10 about asking Parliament to approve a snap poll.
Political editor Laura Kuenssberg said it could happen as soon as Wednesday but no final decision had been taken.
Mr Johnson is due to make a statement in Downing Street at about 1800 BST setting out the choices facing MPs.
Tory ex-ministers are joining forces with Labour to stop the UK leaving the EU on 31 October without a deal.
Amid mounting speculation about an election, Mr Johnson is due to hold an unscheduled cabinet meeting at 17.00 BST and will also speak to the wider Conservative parliamentary party later.
The prime minister has said the UK must leave the EU on 31 October, with or without a deal, prompting a number of MPs to unite across party lines to try to prevent the UK leaving without an agreement.
They are expected to put forward legislation on Tuesday to stop no deal under “SO24” or Standing Order 24 – the rule allowing MPs to ask for a debate on a “specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration”.
Sources have told the BBC the bill would force the prime minister to seek a three-month extension until 31 January if no withdrawal deal has been passed by 19 October – the day after the next EU leaders’ summit.
Tory rebels – who include former ministers and prominent backbenchers – have been warned that those who support the legislation face being expelled from the party and deselected.
But leading figures, including ex-Justice Secretary David Gauke, have insisted that despite the threat, they will press ahead and – in their words – put the “national interest” ahead of their own.
Fellow rebel and former Chancellor Philip Hammond has written to Mr Johnson to ask for details about the state of negotiations with the EU and what alternatives to the Irish backstop – the major sticking point in the talks – his government has put forward.
A No 10 spokesman said it was treating this week’s Brexit votes as an issue of confidence – those traditionally trigger a general election if the government loses.
There is not scheduled to be another general election until 2022.
Under the terms of the Fixed Terms Parliament Act, Mr Johnson would require the backing of two-thirds of the UK’s 650 MPs to trigger an early poll this autumn.
Should this happen, the prime minister would be able to recommend the date – likely to be a hugely contentious issue – to the Queen.
Elections traditionally take place on a Thursday and, in law, 25 days have to elapse between the current Parliament being dissolved and the polls opening.
If MPs vote for an election this week and Parliament is dissolved on Thursday, the earliest date that could come into play is 10 October.
Those who back a negotiated Brexit deal, or want to remain in the EU, have been concerned the PM could delay the poll to the start of November, after the UK has left the EU, making it impossible to stop a no-deal Brexit.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said the UK “needs” a general election, as it “would give the people a choice between two very different directions for the country”.
He has dismissed warnings from former Labour leader Tony Blair, who said an early election was an “elephant trap”, and Mr Johnson could win such a vote as “some may fear a Corbyn premiership more” than a no-deal Brexit.
SNP [Scottish National Party] leader Nicola Sturgeon said it was imperative any new government was elected before the UK’s departure.
If there is an election before the end of 2019, it would be the third in the past five years, after polls in 2015 and 2017.
Meanwhile, BBC Brussels correspondent Adam Fleming said the manoeuvrings in Westminster were not having much of an impact in Europe.
“All they really want to know is whether the UK is going to come forward with concrete proposals to deal with this issue of the backstop,” our correspondent said.
Mr Johnson wants the controversial Irish backstop – intended to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland – scrapped, but the EU’s lead Brexit negotiator, Michel Barnier, has rejected this demand.
Meanwhile, the EU has said it is considering classifying a no-deal Brexit as a major disaster, like an earthquake, so countries worst affected could get access to more funding.
What could happen this week?
Tuesday: MPs return to the Commons after their summer recess. Opposition MPs are expected to put forward legislation to stop no deal under “SO24” or Standing Order 24. This would be the bill’s first reading.
Wednesday: In theory, the bill would then be debated and could potentially pass through all further Commons stages. However, the bill must pass through a series of votes and receive backing from more than half of MPs to pass to the next stage. Boris Johnson’s first PMQs as prime minister also takes place.
Thursday: If MPs passed the bill, it could then reach the House of Lords by Thursday, but consideration of the bill could spill into Monday. It will be debated and voted on. The House is not due to sit on Friday.
Monday, 9 September: If the bill passes these hurdles it could gain Royal Assent, formally making it law.
This could be a tight timetable as there are as few as four sitting days before Parliament is suspended. This is due to happen between Monday, 9 September, and Thursday, 12 September, under plans announced by the prime minister.
Another hurdle for any bill could come in the Lords. Although opponents to no deal have a large majority, peers wanting to block legislation could talk until there is no time left.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49549960
At some point Boris IS gonna HAVE TO give Brexit some more time….
A straight drop out would be a shit show….
Well, that’s the paradoxical rationale that Johnson is giving — that the only way to force the E.U. back to bargaining is to have the spectre of a No-Deal Brexit as the only possible alternative.
As with Donald Trump’s approach to bargaining (the art of the deal), there are huge dangers to this if you really want some deal rather than none. For one thing, the E.U. countries, of which there are 27 besides the U.K., can just as plausibly, if not more plausibly, play chicken, too. They’ve said that the Theresa May-Michel Barnier deal is the only possible one on the table; do you really want to walk away?
In the end I just can’t see a no deal. DEAL….
How are things gonna work out?
Could the EU jump up and say no Brits can get off the planes, boats or from their cars after they get out go the tunnel?
Seriously?
This is playing chicken over a shit sandwich….