U.K. Politics: Nadine Dorries resigns her post as MP - or does she?

[heppolo]

I was thinking the exact same thing after reading the news. Suuuure It's only related to Covid

keeping tories in power for another 10 years or so

[Wayne]

At least they have an excuse and they now can blame something else other than Brexit.

I was thinking the exact same thing after reading the news. Suuuure It's only related to Covid

Well, our GDP was broadly flat prior to COVID - yes, the economy wasn't growing but it also wasn't significantly retracting either due to so-called Brexit impact (though that will definitely come - all reputable economists point to there being a long-term, detrimental economic impact to the UK economy) and the key reason that our economy is now in the state it is in is linked to COVID and the subsequent increased, record-breaking borrowing that the government have had to do.

I dread to think what Brexit will eventually do, especially with reference to the trade talks not exactly going very well...this time next year will be a very interesting time for the UK.

[KEY9481]

I just had to share this because it is quite excellent

[bm08]

She was fed up

[heppolo]

It's dreadful how those conservative right-wing goons now manage to get away with almost any sort of scandals these days. Incompetence has been normalized, as long as it is under the faux patriotism disguise.

[Wayne]

OH MATT HANCOCK! "Health Secretary, that's not my question..."

That was a terrible rebuttal on Matt's part, and good on Kay for challenging him.

[Wayne]

Oh, it's all a total shambles! Good luck to the EU trying to get anywhere with this, good luck with the UK trying to get a trade deal - both sides have lost their bloody marbles.

Brexit: EU starts legal action against UK over deal breach plan

The EU has begun legal proceedings against the UK after it refused to ditch plans to override sections of its Brexit divorce deal.

An EU deadline for the government to remove sections of the Internal Market Bill expired on Wednesday.

The "letter of formal notice" could eventually lead to a court case against the UK at the European Court of Justice, the EU's top court.

But the EU has not walked away from talks over a post-Brexit trade deal.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the UK would have until the end of November to respond to the EU's concerns over the draft legislation.

UK-EU trade talks are continuing in Brussels this week. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said both sides should "move on" if a deal was not reached by mid-October.

In a brief statement, Mrs von der Leyen said the bill was a "full contradiction" of previous UK commitments over how a hard border on the island of Ireland should be avoided.

She added that the bill was by its "very nature a breach of the obligation of good faith" contained in the withdrawal agreement that took the UK out of the EU in January.

A spokesperson for the UK government said the bill was a necessary "safety net" to protect trade between different parts of the UK.

They added the government would respond the EU's letter "in due course".

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte appeared to play down the importance of the Commission's letter, calling the move "more administrative than political".

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called for both the UK and EU to work together over trade differences, adding: "A deal can be done here".

"It's absurd that with weeks to go, the focus and the energy is not on their negotiations, it's on threatened court proceedings," he added.

MPs gave their final backing to the Internal Market Bill earlier this week. However, it will have to be approved by the House of Lords before it becomes law.

In a bid to head off a potential rebellion from Tory backbenchers, ministers have granted the Commons a say before powers to override the Brexit divorce deal could be used.

The letter sent to the UK is the first stage in the process the Commission uses against countries it believes have broken EU law.

It can end with the Commission taking governments to court at the European Court of Justice.

The ECJ continues to have powers over the UK during the transition period, including over the interpretation and implementation of the withdrawal agreement.

The court has powers to force countries to comply with its rulings, including imposing financial penalties.

However, most cases are settled before then - and it can take many years for a case to move through the court.

What is the Internal Market Bill?

The bill sets out rules for the operation of the UK internal market - trade between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland - after the end of the Brexit transition period in January.

It proposes:

• No new checks on goods moving from Northern Ireland to the rest of Great Britain
• Giving UK ministers powers to modify or "disapply" rules relating to the movement of goods that will come into force from 1 January if the UK and EU are unable to reach an alternative agreement through a trade deal
• Powers to override previously agreed obligations on state aid - government support for businesses.

The bill explicitly states that these powers should apply even if they are incompatible with international law.

Ministers say the legislation is needed to prevent "damaging" tariffs on goods travelling from the rest of the UK to Northern Ireland if negotiations with the EU on a free trade agreement fail.

What powers does the EU have?
Analysis by Nick Beake, BBC Brussels Correspondent

Although the headline is dramatic, this was the EU's next logical step.

When it fired the UK an ultimatum to scrap the most controversial parts of the Internal Market Bill by the end of September, it knew it would likely have to follow up on its threat. And now it has.

But any legal path is long and unpredictable - with no resolution likely to come before the UK's transition period ends on 31 December.

The legal advice given to the EU member states has been that for any alleged breach of the withdrawal agreement committed in 2020, they would have a further four years to pursue the UK.

For any alleged breach committed after the transition period, the EU could use the dispute settlement mechanism (which both sides agreed to in the agreement) to penalise and fine the UK.

Or, it could ask the European Court of Justice to do the same. But this is drawn out legal territory.

It seems the latest legal development will not torpedo the ongoing trade talks - for now.

Both sides insist they do want a deal within the coming weeks, but the EU says it won't sign one off, as long as the UK's bill remains as it is.

The EU and the UK are now trying to walk two tightropes. And it's precarious balancing act.

One route leads to a trade deal, the other to an ugly court battle.

But both sides are looking dead ahead, and neither want to blink first.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-54370226

[Artoo]

I’d be surprised if the Lords pass it.

[KEY9481]

Brexit going wrong, we sure did not see that coming.

[Artoo]

Absolutely disgusting news that an MP with suspected COVID-19 travelled 400 miles on public transport... then 400 miles back after receiving confirmation she had the virus.

Throw the book at her.

[Wayne]

Absolutely disgusting news that an MP with suspected COVID-19 travelled 400 miles on public transport... then 400 miles back after receiving confirmation she had the virus.

Throw the book at her.

Nicola Sturgeon is coming for her...

[Artoo]

I hate being on the same page as Nicola Sturgeon though

[Wayne]

That MP who travelled with COVID is being investigated by the Police...

London's Metropolitan Police and the British Transport Police have confirmed they are investigating Scottish National Party MP Margaret Ferrier after she returned to Scotland by train from London knowing she had tested positive for Covid-19.

As we reported earlier, the Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP initially travelled to Westminster from Glasgow having developed coronavirus symptoms before then returning by train.

A Met Police statement said an MP had contacted Police Scotland on Thursday to report she may have breached Covid-19 guidance in relation to a train journey on Tuesday after a positive test.

It said: "Following consultation with Police Scotland, officers from the Metropolitan Police, working with British Transport Police, are conducting an investigation into potential offences.

"The Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards has been informed."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/worl...ost_type=share

[Artoo]

She’ll be made an example of and rightly so.

I was discussing this with family last night and if someone I loved had been on that same train, caught it from her after her confirmed diagnosis and subsequently died, I’d be wanting her investigated for manslaughter.

We were also debating the similarities between deliberately going into a prolonged, enclosed space with confirmed COVID and those who actively have unprotected sex when they know they have HIV and don’t disclose it.

[Wayne]

Jeremy Corbyn suspended from the Labour Party following the report into anti-semitism in the party.

[bm08]

The timing seems random tbh but maybe that's because I havent been following closely.

[heppolo]

Jeremy Corbyn suspended from the Labour Party following the report into anti-semitism in the party.

They are trying to erase any semblance of left-field narrative left in Labour and move the party back into the full-on Blair mode.

[Artoo]

Jeremy Corbyn suspended from the Labour Party following the report into anti-semitism in the party.

It’s his own fault - he commented the report findings “dramatically overstated” anti-semitism within the party. He wasn’t suspended because of the contents, but his comments - which he refused to withdraw.

So Sir Kier had little option IMO. How could he let the ex-party leader downplay an independent report that found fault with the party and its conduct under his leadership?

[Artoo]

They are trying to erase any semblance of left-field narrative left in Labour and move the party back into the full-on Blair mode.

I do hope so.

The Labour Party has died a horrid death ever since they elected Ed Miliband as party leader instead of David Miliband. One knew what he was doing, the other didn’t even realise he was being manipulated into being a puppet leader.

Ed Miliband as PM? I doubt even he believed it was possible.

In my opinion, politics in the UK has been steadily moving towards the middle for decades. Both David Cameron and Tony Blair moved their party’s towards the centre a little and won over the British public.

Yes in recent times we’ve seen both parties fight back and go very left and very right, but it isn’t really working - neither Miliband nor Corbyn could get the votes for their far left. I accept Boris is probably the most conservative leader the Tories have had in decades and frankly, he stole the top from May (using far right back benchers like Rees-Mogg to get the job, then quickly dropping them).

But people are growing tired of Boris too and if it wasn’t for Covid-19, he’d be in deep water I think over how he’s conducting himself over Brexit. He plays the babbling baboon very well but we deserve better than a foolish monkey who wants to be Churchill.

Sir Kier hasn’t really had a chance to shine yet, but he has to be one of the most intelligent people in Westminster. As long as he can apply a huge dose of common sense to his politics he has a fighting chance.

[heppolo]

I do hope so.

The Labour Party has died a horrid death ever since they elected Ed Miliband as party leader instead of David Miliband. One knew what he was doing, the other didn’t even realise he was being manipulated into being a puppet leader.

Ed Miliband as PM? I doubt even he believed it was possible.

In my opinion, politics in the UK has been steadily moving towards the middle for decades. Both David Cameron and Tony Blair moved their party’s towards the centre a little and won over the British public.

Yes in recent times we’ve seen both parties fight back and go very left and very right, but it isn’t really working - neither Miliband nor Corbyn could get the votes for their far left. I accept Boris is probably the most conservative leader the Tories have had in decades and frankly, he stole the top from May (using far right back benchers like Rees-Mogg to get the job, then quickly dropping them).

But people are growing tired of Boris too and if it wasn’t for Covid-19, he’d be in deep water I think over how he’s conducting himself over Brexit. He plays the babbling baboon very well but we deserve better than a foolish monkey who wants to be Churchill.

Sir Kier hasn’t really had a chance to shine yet, but he has to be one of the most intelligent people in Westminster. As long as he can apply a huge dose of common sense to his politics he has a fighting chance.

Despite all of his faults, I think the criticism of Jeremy as the "terrorist sympathizer, unfit to lead, communist, totalitarian" was exaggerated, he is a good man at heart, but he just wasn't made for a "big tent" kind of party like Labour. I think even John McDonnell would have done a better job as the party leader.
Kier is just a bit too mellow, Labour needs a loudmouth and/or a slightly more charming and charismatic figure at the front.
Yes, I agree, Ed just didn't look the part to be the PM, he looked like a supply teacher.

[Artoo]

Despite all of his faults, I think the criticism of Jeremy as the "terrorist sympathizer, unfit to lead, communist, totalitarian" was exaggerated, he is a good man at heart, but he just wasn't made for a "big tent" kind of party like Labour. I think even John McDonnell would have done a better job as the party leader.
Kier is just a bit too mellow, Labour needs a loudmouth and/or a slightly more charming and charismatic figure at the front.
Yes, I agree, Ed just didn't look the part to be the PM, he looked like a supply teacher.

Kier has a strong background though - human rights lawyer, head of the CPS etc (and also the inspiration for Mark Darcy from Bridget Jones ).

He hasn’t had a chance to shine yet and considering he’s only been an MP for 5 years and is already party leader, suggests his party colleagues have bought into what he has to offer very quickly - which I think bodes well as Labour desperately needs something other than what it’s been offering.

Ive nothing again Corbyn personally but he’s the sound advisor, the backbencher or at best, the reliable minister - he wasn’t party leader and only got the job because IMO offered a version of Labour that was dramatically different to the Blair years.

But the fact is New Labour won four elections. I’m not saying they were perfect. But the country largely rallied behind one man’s vision for a decade. The Tories might be on their 4th consecutive win too, but their leadership has been a mess.

David Cameron has a lot to answer for - history isn’t going to remember him well.

[Wayne]

Ugh, as if 2020 couldn't get any worse...

UK terrorism threat level raised to 'severe'

The UK's terrorism threat level has been upgraded from "substantial" to "severe".

The move means security chiefs believe that an attack is highly likely but there is no specific intelligence of an imminent incident.

The move follows Monday night's shooting in Vienna in which four people died.

Last week, three others died in a knife attack in Nice, France, and a teacher was murdered in Paris last month.

Home Secretary Priti Patel said the British people should be "alert but not alarmed".

"This is a precautionary measure following the horrific events of the last week in France and last night in Austria and is not based on a specific threat."

She added that significant steps had already been taken to amend powers and strengthen the tools for dealing with developing terrorist threats.

"As I've said before, we face a real and serious threat in the UK from terrorism.

"I would ask the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the police," she said.

Assessments of threat levels are taken by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre (JTAC), part of MI5, which makes its recommendations independently from the government.

• Low - an attack is highly unlikely
• Moderate - an attack is possible but not likely
• Substantial - an attack is likely
• Severe - an attack is highly likely
• Critical - an attack is highly likely in the near future

Head of UK counter-terrorism policing Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu echoed the home secretary's comments, saying there was no intelligence to link any of the attacks in France or Austria to the UK but said his officers were working with international partners, and providing assistance.

He urged communities to "stand together and reject those who seek to sow division and hatred between us".

"We need communities and families to bring to our attention anyone they perceive may be vulnerable, a danger or escalating towards terrorism," he said.

He said the public could expect to see additional police officers deployed to certain places and locations over the coming days.

Police would also work closely with local businesses, faith groups and community groups to provide reassurance and seek their support, he added.

Labour's shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said the decision to change the threat level should not cause "undue alarm" but showed the importance of people continuing to be vigilant.

The UK's terrorism threat level was raised to the highest rating, "critical", in the days following the Manchester Arena bombing in May 2017.

It last reached that level again briefly in September that year, after a bomb partially exploded on a Tube train at Parsons Green.

The threat level remained at the second highest rating, "severe", until last November when it was downgraded to "substantial", where it has stayed until now.

BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said given events in Austria and France, it would have been "remiss" of the government not to raise the threat level.

He said the JTAC, which brings together analysts from across transport, health, intelligence and the military, were constantly analysing the ongoing threat to UK citizens anywhere in the world, and will have looked at what has happened in Vienna and at all the postings from al-Qaeda and the Islamic State group, encouraging people to carry out attacks.

"There's a lot of anger at the moment in many parts of Muslim communities over the cartoons [of the Prophet Muhammad] and that's being exploited by extremists who are encouraging people to carry out attacks, hence the raising to severe."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-54799377

[Wayne]

Oops, that Priti Patel photo was bigger than I thought it would be

[Artoo]

I don’t mean to negate the severity of it, but frankly, after everything so far in 2020 a rise in the threat level almost sounds like something we can actually handle.

[cheapthrills]

EDIT: Wrong thread

[Wayne]

Bye Dom.