EU referendum, brexit and the aftermath

Rees-Mogg has quickly read all 585 pages and issued a response

Got to hope that Labour doesn’t abstein and enough loons vote against.

Depends what she promises the labour MPs, if they're not whipped. Maybe she'll concede to an immediate GE, after we're out?

So, members of cabinet, how are your deeply held principles?

Would any Labour MP seriously take her at her word?

Paragraph 6.1, page 308:

'Until the future relationship becomes applicable, a single customs territory between the Union
and the United Kingdom shall be established ("the single customs territory"). Accordingly,
Northern Ireland is in the same customs territory as Great Britain.'

Paragraph 2, page 306:

'The Union and the United Kingdom shall use their best endeavours to conclude, by
31 December 2020, an agreement which supersedes this Protocol in whole or in part.'

Ah, the good old fudge of a 'best endeavours' clause.

Single CU until a trade deal is finalised, as far as I can see. Not a flying fuck's chance that's getting through Parliament.

Would anyone? But bribes and threats are all she has.

Ha, the outline Political Declaration is such a load of old flannel. But I couldn't help chuckling over this peach:

'Reaffirmation of the United Kingdom's commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)'

Can't believe that got that past the Maybot. She hates the ECHR.

https://mobile.twitter.com/Raphael_Hogarth/status/1062802521889140736

Lots of control given away there. Well done Theresa.

Looks like the square brackets (see above) should be there as the Political Declaration is only an outline so far. Still in negotiations. Given it's utter fluff, I can't really see what there is to negotiate over.

Back to the draft Withdrawal Agreement, Article 4.3 of Annex 2 to the NI Protocol (so buried pretty deep really - akin to locked doors and 'Beware of the Leopard' signs):

'The United Kingdom shall be informed of any decision taken by the Union to amend the
Common Customs Tariff, to suspend or reintroduce duties and any decision concerning
quotas, tariff-rate quotas or duty suspensions in sufficient time for it to align itself with that
decision.'

JRM and BoJo are going to wet themselves at the prospects of being able to say 'vassal state' in portentious tones over and over again.

I hope the ECJ allows members of the bar from non member states (e.g. the UK) to address the court. Otherwise that jurisdiction could be a bit of an arse.

So we can still trade with the EU for a bit, but lose any say. At least it’s better than no trade deal, but why not just call the whole thing off?

We are losing a lot of sovereignty - what’s the name of that song again?

Beware of the flowers 'cause I'm sure they're going to get you, yeah?

(Maybe not that one...)

God save the queen? (Sex Pistols obvs)

Article 91

Without prejudice to Article 88, where, before the end of the transition period, a lawyer
authorised to practise before the courts or tribunals of the United Kingdom represented or assisted a party in proceedings before the Court of Justice of the European Union or in relation to requests for preliminary rulings made before the end of the transition period, that lawyer may continue to represent or assist that party in those proceedings or in relation to those requests. This right shall apply to all stages of proceedings, including appeal proceedings before the Court of Justice and proceedings before the General Court after a case has been referred back to it.

Excellent trolling of the sweaties, no mention of Scotland in the entire 585 pages.

Excellent trolling of the sweaties

At your level jingoistic best I see.

It'll be on vans being driven around Scotland soon in this Brave May World.

And don't you try being naughty among the rigs o'barley.

JRM and BoJo are going to wet themselves at the prospects of being able to say 'vassal state' in portentious tones over and over again.

When Bojo, Davies, Fox etc were running the game for almost 2 years they negotiated nothing, got nowhere. Since then May has accepted the bleeding obvious that we need much more time to agree a working Brexit. She has been forced to negotiate a temporary status quo minus deal. All the rules and processes are the same except Britain no longer has a voice in setting the rules. JRM's letter ignores the temporary nature of the proposals, is he stupid or is he shit stirring?

I disagree with JRM on principle because he writes "differently than", which sets my teeth on edge.

is he stupid or is he shit stirring?