I try not to do anger. I do not always succeed. I admit that. But I try. I find it helps.
Except for yesterday. Then I did not try. Because it would not have helped. May's delay of the so-called 'meaningful vote' was worthy of anger.
This country is, by default, leaving the EU on 29 March. And now we have no decision on whether or how this might happen until 12 March.
Let's just put this in context. It's a small context, but it's indicative of the scale of the issues arising. Any UK driver of a UK registered car on the continent of Europe, including in Ireland, will require a green card and an EU driving licence on 30 March if we leave at 11pm on 29 March. Both take at least 14 days to apply for. Given the uncertainty and rush in the event of No Deal they may take longer. And right now there will be, at most, 16 days to get these documents if it becomes apparent late on 12 March that we are leaving the EU. This creates a near impossible scenario that is bound to be profoundly disruptive.
But, for the sake of appeasing the dogmatically irresponsible fringes of the Conservative Party Theresa May is forcing the people of this country into many of these impossible positions.
There no good reason for this: the EU will not be changing the deal they made with May on the basis of her red lines. Why would they? Why should they? It's her deal. No brinksmanship will change that. And the chance that the Commons will blink and now approve that deal is as remote. They made their position clear: this is not an acceptable deal because the redlines were in the wrong place.
May is not, then, pursuing a policy of brinksmanship. She is instead pursuing an utterly reckless policy of denial. And the denial is of the fact that she is the one who created this mess. And that she is the one perpetuating this mess. And that she is not the one to get us out of this mess.
The option I would like, which is the renunciation of Article 50, is not, I know, on the table at present. Politically too few are in favour of this a present. I am realistic enough to accept that this may never happen.
But there is also no desire to do No Deal either. Nor was it something that was ever on the agenda during the referendum, as Give confirmed to Marr yesterday: there was always going to be a deal according to those who led the Leave campaign.
But there is no deal that can be approved now. And no time to agree one on the basis of new red lines.
And this impasse is the cause of my anger. I think that wholly justifiably the whole country can be furious with a prime minister whose own stupidity (it is hard to suggest an alternative explanation) has created this position.
Looking back in history to think of a precedent my family concluded over dinner last night that the only one we could think of was Charles I really not believing that he was actually going to lose his head until the morning that it happened. He got no reprieve because he would not change his position on his divine right to rule. May will get no change to the deal she has negotiated precisely because she has not changed her red lines and so no change is possible. And her refusal is as obdurate as that of Charles. Stupid people in pursuit of a goal that is utterly unacceptable to their country should not be put in positions of leadership within it. These two were.
But things are worse now than they were on the morning of Charles' death. There was a plan then. And there was a succession. The role of government in society was also significantly smaller. May's folly is so much worse precisely because it impacts on all in this country in so many ways. Her culpability is all the greater as a result. Not least because there is no succession of any sort.
There is no viable deal possible on 29 March now.
And there cannot be a No Deal, surely? Can that really happen because a stupid prime minister willed it and Parliament would not stop it?
So what can happen? Only an Article 50 extension can work now. Coupled with the toppling of May and a new prime minster, or better still, a government capable of taking negotiation forward.
In 2016 I suggested that this would need to be a government of national unity with three tasks. The first would be agreeing a deal. The second would be agreeing electoral reform so that this should not happen again. The third would be agreeing the foundations for a new UK economic, social and political consensus to tackle climate change. I would now add a fourth. Very clearly a new constitutional arrangement for the UK is required.
I am not sure who could lead this government. But that's what we need.
And I am angry. Because I very much doubt we will get it.
May is trashing the country I live in.
Dammit. I have a right to be angry about that.
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Revoking A50 would also work. I mention it as IMO it needs to be in our collective mind’s eye more than it is. I suspect that, realistically, we’ll be looking at an extension or a series of extensions till the 12th of Never or thereabouts 🙂
You’re angry!?
I’m incandescent with rage to be honest.
You can see me glowing, with steam coming out of my ears as I walk down the street.
I failed to stop anger a long time ago I’m afraid. Welcome to the club!
I think you’d better check your safety valves
You’re right.
I’ve had to have some more fitted as the two I had weren’t enough.
I’ve had two more fitted plus two more as back up.
And I’ve hopefully found a quiet place in the yard so that I can blow off nicely and quickly without causing so much offence!
🙂
On 21st February, Greta Thunberg said in Brussels “By the year 2020 we need to have bent the emissions curve steeply downwards. That is next year.” She is right.
For this reason above all, Article 50 should be revoked.
As a metaphor for everyting else. driving a car in Ireland, France or anywhere else’ needs to be restricted – and soon – or children will have a very uncomfortable future at best.
” divine right to rule” – the position of the tories since the 18th century. Power for its own sake (which you have written about in the past). We thus arrive at a logical end point: with May’s “I’m in power, this is what I want & what I will get”. So much for parliament “taking back control” … hmm I wonder who came out with that slogan. The “Charles I vs Parliament” standoff being reprised by “May vs European Union”. She thinks she is still in the Home Office and dealing with a couple of dumb pubic school boys (Moron-con and Gidiot).
However, at a time of national crisis it is good to see national “newspapers” focusing on what is truly important ……. the Oscars & ladies frocks.
This country has been brought to its knees buy a bunch of spivs and chancers and a sociopathic prime minister who dances and plays pool while the nation burns.
Shows up the weakness of our much vaunted ‘Parliamentary democracy’ that one individual with the talent of a third-rate administrator can act in such a dictatorial manner and seriously damage both the economy and reputation of a nation
To be honest, I’m not sure I would have trusted May with handling our school’s photocopiers, let alone the country.
How can you manage even a day without anger Richard? Yoga?
I have been in a state of fury since that day in June 2016.
I’m off to order my green card, already have my international driving permit, dog’s documents had to be re-validated in case of no-Deal, Health insurance upgraded, email received from ferry company to let me know my return journey may have to be modified if their ships are requisitioned…
How to calm down? Dream Art 50 is withdrawn, UK has a written Constitution agreed, FPTP changed to some sort of PR, sensible people decide to “do” politics again, eejits are kept busy in garden sheds instead.
How do I manage?
I am not sure
But you are definitely ahead of me on the admin
If people felt really angry and strongly about revoking Article 50 and cancelling this Brexit (Deal or No Deal) they should go on strike. A General Strike.
It might or might not work – but unless pressure is put on parliament, MPs might never revoke Article 50. There must be something to counter the “will of the people”, the original 2016 referendum result.
That does not mean a Brexit will be impossible in the future, say in 5 years time. The country could vote exactly what Brexit it wants. (Deal with Backstop, No Deal, Norway, etc.)
But first perhaps a General Strike, I suggest the week before the actual Brexit date, from the 20th onwards. To revoke Article 50 and remain in the EU.
More info here:
https://radicaleconomicthought.wordpress.com/2019/02/25/time-for-a-general-strike-to-halt-brexit/
It beggars belief that a minority government can willfully drive an entire country full speed towards the edge of a cliff, in the hope that at the last possible moment someone will slam on the brakes or steer away (or wave a magic wand to create a bridge of rainbows and unicorns).
It beggars belief that the opposition in Parliament is so weak that the minority government can get away with it.
We can’t carry on like this for another month. Something is going to break.
Richard I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment! Although I am vehemently in favour of a Clean Brexit I would rather see Article 50 revoked than entertain Treason and Oily’s abominable Withdrawal Capitulation. Certainly a “No deal” would be better for the Country than this dog’s evacuation but so would Remain!