The negotiations do not appear to have a clear pathway or desired outcomes as far as the British government as concerned. It seems to be an acknowledged truth that the EU negotiating team are better organised and clearer on the requirements of the process and ‘red lines’- and in the dominant position.
The cartoon below from the Telegraph explains the latest UK version of expectations with a desired transition phase. The announcement was made by the Chancellor rather than by May after more confused position statements from different ministers in the preceding days.
After a good win against the Maori NZ team last week and a solid performance and win against a weakened Chiefs team, we arrive with confidence of at least a competitive match ahead.
So a rushed get away from work to the airport yesterday then with a bit of a delay. A long trip on the bus from Auckland airport was followed by a good meal at an Israeli restaurant. Something different but good.
Now fun and shopping today before the Warriors game.
Tomorrow is the ‘fourth test’-that is how the game against the NZ Maori is usually described. And certainly the Lions came a cropper against them in 2005.
As ever the Lions needs a win, particularly having lost on Tuesday to the Highlanders by a point. It was a game that they were expected to win against a depleted Highlanders team that had players withdrawn as they were on All Blacks call-up and because of injuries.
The Highlanders game was a marked contrast to the Crusaders game- open and attacking. The lions played well in parts but worryingly continue to fail to finish off scoring chances. They also failed to control the game when in the lead mostly I think due to poor discipline and the giving away of penalties.Weaknesses exist and I do not know if they can be overcome.
Last Saturday the Lions beat the form Super team with a power display with very effective defense. Maybe some things went their way that night.
The NZ Maori are full of some very good players. Of note, Matt Procter, currently playing for the Hurricanes and ex-St Pats Boy.
We have seen Carmen before, Sara at least twice and once for me. It is certainly a classic and so expectations were a little high. Unfortunately expectations were not met. The production seemed a little quiet and flat and the male lead did not seem to make the connection with us and possibly the rest of the audience. The applause at the end was polite rather than enthusiastic. A review in the Dom Post concurred overall.
So quite an expensive night out without reaching the heights. That is always the risk I suppose.
Let’s hope for greater success for the next cultural event.
Now, having suffered the almost unthinkable ignominy of losing the majority she seemed certain to extend, Ms May’s first response shifted from the inane to the delusional. Speaking in Downing Street, the catchphrase morphed this time into “safe and secure”, and she repeated the need for “certainty”. She spoke about an agenda “for the next five years”, as though her position in the role were guaranteed beyond the next five weeks. There was no humility, no good grace; the Prime Minister seemed frankly divorced from reality. Not until she appeared for a second time, apologising to the MPs who had lost their seats, and offering contrite assurance that she will “reflect on what happened”, did Ms May show any sign that she understands the startling reverses her party has suffered.
Let us hope that such reflection helps the Prime Minister understand the crushing changes that have come thick and fast since that exit poll stunned us all. There has been no sign so far of any reassessment of her approach to hard Brexit, yet surely even this leader will struggle to pass off such a humiliating result as a mandate for her confrontational, uncompromising attitude to Europe, or of her willingness to take the UK out of the single market.
A surprise and welcome outcome.Theresa May’s historic gamble has failed. She brought on the election at a point in time of strength with a large lead in the polls. It is assumed her strategy was to destroy the Labour Party, possibly weaken the hand of the most rabid Brexiteers in her own party and move the inevitable fall out from the Brexit negotiations from the next expected General Election.
However, she has failed miserably because an appalling campaign and possibly the unexpected well run campaign of Corbyn and the Labour Party.
She has been weakened but is it enough? She has not resigned and has negotiated an agreement with the Democratic Unionists- a true unsavory crew.
She talked of stability which is the opposite of the current context that her actions have brought about.
Where this all this goes who knows. The is a change in the political tide and this result has been helped with increased participation of younger voters who have been seriously affected by austerity policies in recent years and who are most concerned about the impact of Brexit on their futures. However, there is a real possibility that the status quo will be maintained, under stress, and the shift in the political perspective will come to nil.
Another election soon? Maybe, but that possibly requires greater turmoil in the Conservative ranks. May will hold on for now as the alternative to too dangerous for them?
