Day: July 19, 2019

Brexit remains the same but, oh my….

benfell

There is a new blog entry entitled, “Radicalism and pragmatism.”

Brexit

Funny thing: As shown with these votes,[1] Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister-apparent, won’t have a parliamentary majority on any option on Brexit either.[2] Afraid of what he may do or not do, both the Lords and the Commons are seeking to tie his hands on his threat to leave with “no deal.”[3]

The trouble is that, as it was, clear back in fucking March,[4] “no deal” remains the legal default.[5]

A name to watch in all of this is that of the presumably outgoing chancellor, Philip Hammond, who seems determined to prevent a “no deal” Brexit.[6]

Sure, Britain is taking a giant leap toward Donald Trump with its Conservative Party (not even the general electorate) selecting Boris Johnson.[7] But Brexit remains the same. And the plotters, possibly now including outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May herself, still plot.[8]

Whatever one thinks of Brexit, these are remarkable times.

Gordon Rayner, “How Philip Hammond delivered his final act of rebellion on the steps of No 11,” Telegraph, July 18, 2019, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/07/18/philip-hammond-delivered-final-act-rebellion-steps-no-11/

Steven Swinford, “Philip Hammond hints at rebellion to bring down Boris Johnson government,” Times, July 19, 2019, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/philip-hammond-hints-at-rebellion-to-bring-down-boris-johnson-government-v5636l8db

Peter Walker, “Could parliament’s latest amendment stop no-deal Brexit?” Guardian, July 18, 2019, https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jul/18/could-parliaments-latest-amendment-stop-no-deal-brexit

Nicholas Watt, “Brexit: Scheme to block no deal ‘could involve Queen,’” British Broadcasting Corporation, July 18, 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49040128

Donald Trump

Ashley Parker, “How a racist tweet became a Trump rally chant in three short days,” Washington Post, July 18, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/how-a-racist-tweet-became-a-trump-rally-chant-in-three-short-days/2019/07/18/bd81b798-a968-11e9-9214-246e594de5d5_story.html

John Wagner and Colby Itkowitz, “Trump vows congresswomen ‘can’t get away with’ criticizing U.S.,” Washington Post, July 19, 2019, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/a-day-after-distancing-himself-from-hostile-chant-trump-criticizes-media-for-its-coverage-of-his-rally/2019/07/19/9c094c16-aa12-11e9-9214-246e594de5d5_story.html

  1. [1]Gordon Rayner, “How Philip Hammond delivered his final act of rebellion on the steps of No 11,” Telegraph, July 18, 2019, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/07/18/philip-hammond-delivered-final-act-rebellion-steps-no-11/; Peter Walker, “Could parliament’s latest amendment stop no-deal Brexit?” Guardian, July 18, 2019, https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jul/18/could-parliaments-latest-amendment-stop-no-deal-brexit↩
  2. [2]Nicholas Watt, “Brexit: Scheme to block no deal ‘could involve Queen,’” British Broadcasting Corporation, July 18, 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49040128↩
  3. [3]Peter Walker, “Could parliament’s latest amendment stop no-deal Brexit?” Guardian, July 18, 2019, https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jul/18/could-parliaments-latest-amendment-stop-no-deal-brexit↩
  4. [4]Jack Maidment, “Brexit latest news: Theresa May’s deal defeated again by
    58 votes – PM hints at general election to break deadlock,” Telegraph, March 29, 2019, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/03/29/brexit-latest-news-theresa-may-final-push-mps-prepare-vote-withdrawal/↩
  5. [5]Peter Walker, “Could parliament’s latest amendment stop no-deal Brexit?” Guardian, July 18, 2019, https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jul/18/could-parliaments-latest-amendment-stop-no-deal-brexit↩
  6. [6]Gordon Rayner, “How Philip Hammond delivered his final act of rebellion on the steps of No 11,” Telegraph, July 18, 2019, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/07/18/philip-hammond-delivered-final-act-rebellion-steps-no-11/; Steven Swinford, “Philip Hammond hints at rebellion to bring down Boris Johnson government,” Times, July 19, 2019, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/philip-hammond-hints-at-rebellion-to-bring-down-boris-johnson-government-v5636l8db; Peter Walker, “Could parliament’s latest amendment stop no-deal Brexit?” Guardian, July 18, 2019, https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jul/18/could-parliaments-latest-amendment-stop-no-deal-brexit↩
  7. [7]Mark Landler, “Leaked British Cables Critical of Trump Lead to Diplomatic Uproar,” New York Times, July 8, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/08/us/politics/donald-trump-kim-darroch.html↩
  8. [8]Gordon Rayner, “How Philip Hammond delivered his final act of rebellion on the steps of No 11,” Telegraph, July 18, 2019, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/07/18/philip-hammond-delivered-final-act-rebellion-steps-no-11/; Steven Swinford, “Philip Hammond hints at rebellion to bring down Boris Johnson government,” Times, July 19, 2019, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/philip-hammond-hints-at-rebellion-to-bring-down-boris-johnson-government-v5636l8db; Peter Walker, “Could parliament’s latest amendment stop no-deal Brexit?” Guardian, July 18, 2019, https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/jul/18/could-parliaments-latest-amendment-stop-no-deal-brexit; Nicholas Watt, “Brexit: Scheme to block no deal ‘could involve Queen,’” British Broadcasting Corporation, July 18, 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49040128↩