EU referendum, brexit and the aftermath

Quite wonderful. 'We accepted' the law. What a nice man.

And another 'which planet are you on' moment from Baker:

the fundamental British value that political power rests on consent

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/apr/01/may-to-order-divided-cabinet-to-boycott-brexit-indicative-votes

Utterly bizarre.

It's looking likely Labour will whip for Common Market 2.0, and SNP will not abstain.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/apr/01/uk-silver-spoon-mps-will-escape-brexit-fallout-says-german-minister-michael-roth

Which is May's deal, with some adjustments to the PD, and includes all four freedoms.

I imagine that NI would stay in the CU, the UK can be outside this so we can sign trade deals (which will be inferior to the ones we leave behind, but hey ho).

The question is, what's the point? I suppose you could say that we honour the referendum.

Indeed. I’ve always believed that most of those in parliament are insulated from any negative impact that Brexit will bring. They are also well placed to benefit so it’s a no lose situation for them...

Surely any soft brexit still needs a people's vote.

"This is what we could all vaguely agree on, it's probably not what you thought you were voting for, so do you still want it?"

Will Labour still whip for people's vote as well?

The ERG are likely to push for a referendum if we find ourselves on the second step with a CU for NI:

Will Labour still whip for people's vote as well?

I would suspect so. Not seen it reported, but they've already said it's a policy they support.

Good point.

Although, I don't believe the actual people's vote is on the agenda for this evening.

Staying in the single market would alleviate the stress of thousands of EU people in the UK and brits abroad, as loss of FOM can seriously harm some people's business and the Settled Status is Windrush v2 in the making.

But, what is the point? It is worse than staying in, though it will remove the veto of the UK in the EU. Which is maybe a positive thing as the UK isn't always the most teamy of team players.

But it also leads to economic damage and future gammonry (sovereignity!!!!!), so, em, hard call.

Ha a Tory MP now says he would vote with labour on a confidence vote. The sooner we are rid of all those who insist on there way the better. If the Tory way was so popular they would have one the 2017 election

.

Confirmation vote on the agenda by the looks of it.

Although when you talk about the ERG maybe wanting in on a second referendum you can see why some people see it more of a process type consideration than a way forward right now.

I think they will need to separate the PV off at some point. You need to be able to work out what we're going to seek from the EU in terms of a deal, and then, once that's settled, open it up to whether that should be followed by a PV.

The problem is, some seem to be suggesting that we could sort out a common market 2.0 very quick, and therefore not need to extend A50 past May, which means no need to get involved in EU elections... I'm not sure where a PV fits with that. Would the ERG ever support PV of it was the only reason we got involved in elections...

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The problem is, some seem to be suggesting that we could sort out a common market 2.0 very quick, and therefore not need to extend A50 past May, which means no need to get involved in EU elections...

Given that it's the existing withdrawal agreement with some changes made to the PD I imagine the EU side can be done in 24 hours.

The issue will be stopping May or whoever replaces her from tearing up the PD. I can't see how to do that, currently.

Everytime there is a glimmer of light that could move us forward, something snuffs it out.

Sky News reporting the cabinet will be whipped to abstain on all indicative votes tonight - WTAF is going on?!

If the Tory way was so popular they would have one the 2017 election

At risk of getting into a Jeez-style argument by being pedantic - being the largest party, they did 'win', just not by enough for an overall majority - they won the chance to form a government, which they duly did by allegedly bribing the DUP with a billion quid to push them over the line.

(Doesn't mean I agree with them!)

Graun reporting a 5 hr cabinet meeting, with no civil servants present being scheduled.

Means general election/referendum or both.

General election surely. Its the only hope they have to keep the greatest shit show on earth on the road.

If Common Market 2.0 gets the mod from MPs, they will throw their toys out of the pram and call a GE I think.

Labour then need to be brave, stand for Common Market 2.0 and a confirmation vote if they get in. It's the only answer I think.

Means we're going looong extension though.

Means general election/referendum or both.

Surely that means long extension first, followed by euro elections, all good things.

the best thing might be to lock the doors to the cabinet meeting, set fire to the building and walk away whistling...

GE with no clarity on Brexit, blergh please no.

Lifted from the Guardian, tonight's indicative votes. Could see a few of them pass today. G is a really sensible proposal I think. Results at 10. I can't believe they're still doing approval voting...

Edit: also AFAIK these are not amendments, they are motions. Pretty poor from the Guardian.

John Bercow, the Speaker, announces he has selected four amendments.

C - Ken Clarke’s for a customs union

The Tory former chancellor Ken Clarke’s customs union plan requires any Brexit deal to include, as a minimum, a commitment to negotiate a “permanent and comprehensive UK-wide customs union with the EU”. This was defeated by the smallest margin in the first round, falling just six votes short.

On 27 March, MPs voted against this option by 271 t0 265.

D - Nick Boles’ for common market 2.0

Tabled by the Conservatives Nick Boles, Robert Halfon and Dame Caroline Spelman, Labour’s Stephen Kinnock and Lucy Powell plus the SNP’s Stewart Hosie. The motion proposes UK membership of the European Free Trade Association (Efta) and European Economic Area. It allows continued participation in the single market and a “comprehensive customs arrangement” with the EU after Brexit – including a “UK say” on future EU trade deals – would remain in place until the agreement of a wider trade deal that guarantees frictionless movement of goods and an open border in Ireland.

On 27 March, MPs voted against this option by 283 to 189.

E - Peter Kyle’s for a confirmatory public vote

It has been drawn up by the Labour MPs Peter Kyle and Phil Wilson. This motion would require a public vote to confirm any Brexit deal passed by parliament before its ratification. This option, tabled last time by the Labour former foreign secretary Dame Margaret Beckett, polled the highest number of votes although it was defeated by 295 votes to 268.

On 27 March, MPs voted against this option by 295 to 268.

G - Joanna Cherry’s for revoking article 50 in the face of no-deal Brexit

The SNP MP Joanna Cherry joins Grieve and MPs from other parties with this plan to seek an extension to the Brexit process, and if this is not possible then parliament will choose between either no deal or revoking article 50.

An inquiry would follow to assess the future relationship likely to be acceptable to Brussels and have majority support in the UK.

On 27 March, MPs voted against this option by 293 to 184.