Brexit and current state of affairs

Invoking ‘democracy’ to avoid another referendum is the refuge of charlatans

Britain’s worst politicians, which is to say the leaders of the Conservative and Labour parties, pretend that the democracy of a second referendum is a danger to democracy. Outsiders may believe that the true danger lies in a Brexit that threatens the hard-won peace in Ireland, the union with Scotland, the living standards of the poorest people and regions and Britain’s influence in the world, for the sake of a fantasy that was invented by charlatans and is being implemented by incompetents, so unqualified in statecraft they can neither agree among themselves nor be honest with the public about the dismal choices ahead.

British politicians believe that they can play the innocent because the referendum has freed them from responsibility. All they must do is execute the “people’s will” and “the people” will thank them.

from Nick Cohen

Describes the current impasse

A summary of the times

Newspaper in the UK

In today’s FT

The heat increases without any Brexit light I think

Army could be deployed to protect the border if Britain leaves the EU without a Brexit deal

A no deal Brexit is “unthinkable”, Amber Rudd said yesterday, contradicting the Brexit secretary just hours after he said the UK has “the right to walk away”.

Shake up the Coalition options?

Greens need to get politically real. I can see that rather than be always in the shadow of Labour. Gareth Morgan thinks similarly (from the Guardian):

Gareth Morgan, founder of the Opportunities party (TOP) is speaking to supporters. With the party currently sitting on 2.1%, it is not expected to take a seat in the new parliament.

He says TOP has been fighting to make New Zealand a fairer society, but many voters are reluctant to address issues that could help the crisis in housing affordability.

You need to be really proud, he tells supporters, saying they have put their own vested interests aside to try to help battle inequality.

And he says the Green party – traditionally backers of Labour administrations – should work with a government of any hue to push an environmental agenda:

I know it’s early days yet but I notice that the Green party is above 5% … so we’re going to lay down a challenge to the Green party … to say to National that we will work with you on the environment.

Are you actually green? You’re only green part-time and that’s not good enough for New Zealand.