So today there government has announced that the vote on the exit deal is to be delayed. It is clear the government does not have the support to win the vote. This has been much talked about for the last week. So now we have a delay to allow May to go to Europe looking for more concessions.
However, how realistic is that? The EU has been clear that this is the deal and further negotiations are not on the cards. They have said that for a while, which of course, they would. But is there reason to doubt their position? May has been saying as part of her strategy that the deal is not re-negotiable – and yet…….
This is all so ridiculous. Where is this going?
A deferred inevitable rejection of the deal and more time wasted.
Brentford 1-2 Middlesbrough: Boro hold on to move back to second
Middlesbrough’s victory kept them within two points of leaders Norwich
Middlesbrough returned to second in the Championship as they held off a late Brentford fightback to win at Griffin Park.
After a relatively quiet, goalless first half, Jordan Hugill tapped in to put the visitors in front.
When Marcus Tavernier’s downward header doubled the lead soon afterwards, the points looked safe, but Alan Judge fired in to pull one back for Brentford.
A tense finale followed but Darren Randolph did well to save from the Bees’ Josh Da Silva as Boro claimed back-to-back victories.
The hosts, for whom defeat was their fifth in six games, had chances to level after Judge’s effort, but Sergi Canos’ low shot lacked the power to trouble Randolph.
I had to leave at half- time so I could reach the RAH on time for the music. Kick- off changed to 5-30pm for the sake of TV- very annoying.
The football was again very frustrating. Brentford again played in their usual style which to me has become a cliche of football – possession without purpose. At one point the player with the most forward passes must have been the goalkeeper with his ‘hoofs’ up the pitch. The ball is passed along the back four but no one has the confidence, skill or permission to take the ball forward and commit the opposition who are able to remain back, covering space and not really being troubled. So as ever the stats give a lie to the effectiveness of the ‘Bees’. Players seem to not know each other.
I am finding it hard to be excited even though I have missed a few games with being away.
The Beesotted podcast and the fans response seems to place more emphasis on the opposition and bad periods during a match. I think there is something more fundamental going wrong.
Theresa May says she agrees with EU officials that this “is the best and only deal possible”.
The EU 27 sign along but will the UK Parliament agree? Most commentary says not- for the government the numbers do not stack up it appears. To reach this point after the draft document a week ago the UK has had to deal with last minute demands from the French over fisheries and the Spanish over the status of Gibraltar. It appears the French have managed to exert power over the trade off for fisheries and the May acquiesced to demands of Spain giving the impression of another last minute climb down by the UK.
So where are we in the process? Not sure. Where to when this deal fails in the House of Commons? Though ministers are doing the ‘this is the deal and its failure will lead to fall of the government ( and so Corbyn in fear)’ and the buying off of opposing factions within the Conservative Party.
It is coming to a head but I am not sure where we are going.
So Ireland beat the All Blacks and we were in Duffy’s to witness the match. Joe wore his All Blacks shirt with pride and Shaz and I were also on the side of the men in black. Anthony and the lads were ecstatic with the deserved victory.
A fun trip to west London with more due in the future.
Ireland 16-9 New Zealand: Hosts hold nerve to earn first home win over All Blacks
By Cian Murtagh
BBC Sport NI at Aviva Stadium
Irish joy was unconfined after the final whistle at the Aviva Stadium
Autumn internationals: Ireland v New Zealand
Ireland: (9) 16
Tries: Stockdale Cons: Sexton Pens: Sexton 3
New Zealand: (6) 9
Pens: Barrett 2 Drop Goal: Barrett
Ireland have beaten New Zealand on home soil for the first time with a frenzied 16-9 win at the Aviva Stadium.
Jacob Stockdale’s superb chip-and-gather try decided an absorbing contest between the top two sides in the world.
Johnny Sexton advanced his claims for the world player of the year award with the rest of Ireland’s points.
The Grand Slam champions added to their historic first win over the All Blacks in 2016 as they sent out a warning before next year’s Rugby World Cup.
Stockdale’s try pushed his side into a 10-point lead in the 49th minute and they produced a heroic defensive display, led by man-of-the-match Peter O’Mahony, to repel the inevitable New Zealand fightback as ‘The Fields of Athenry’ rang through the Dublin night.
A beautiful autumnal morning-so English or at least temperate.
The crunch of fallen leaves under foot and the noises of children playing football and others exercising. Cold but fresh and with the added beauty of the Thames and Barnes common.
Brexit: ‘No question’ of further negotiations if Theresa May’s deal rejected, says Merkel
Merkel welcomes deal but hints this is last chance
There is “no question” of further Brexit negotiations if the deal struck by Theresa May is rejected, Angela Merkel has said.
Speaking in Berlin, the German chancellor welcomed the deal but warned a chaotic exit was still possible as a “worst case” scenario.
“We have a document on the table that Britain and the EU 27 have agreed to, so for me there is no question at the moment whether we negotiate further,” the Chancellor said.
A proposed option proposed is a further renegotiation though how does that have legs? The draft has come from two plus years of negotiation. Is the EU willing to do restart? There is a time limit here as other steps have to fall in place. Another example of the lack of reality.
Plus we have the promotion that ‘no deal’ is all fine. Nothing really to fear. Fear promoted by the ‘establishment’. That coming from Charles Moore! The sniff of desperation from Brexiteers. No one really knows of course as it is the future that one is analysing but the majority of people as concerned about the impact of no deal because the sudden change in rules and agreements will be disruptive-seriously. Brexiteers told us it would all be so easy to reach a deal, achieve what we wanted, all so quickly. That was a pack of lies. Now they promote the idea that a ‘no-deal’ transition will be easy. On the Telegraph podcast one leading ERG member confidently said that the disruption would last only a few months and then all would be fine. I am more inclined to think this is more lies.
Just a few notes and links to record the goings on with the current political upheaval. Apparently the most politically momentous day since WW2.
It seems so unreal and less dramatic than that as it has all been coming for so long and the resulting issues and troubles are as one predicted two years ago or more after the referendum result and the reality of what could be offered and negotiated. The draft agreement that the government has reached does not satisfy anyone.
It is possibly the best compromise for a bad idea that could be reached though it is easy to be critical of the whole negotiating method since the onset. Bluster and arrogance followed by realisation and retreat.
So the deal on offer does not satisfy the mad Brexiteers as the links to the EU remain and its influence continues-‘UK being as rule taker and not a rule maker’- so much for taking back control and sovereignty. But compromise is needed in the eyes of most to avoid the ‘hard’/ ‘cliff edge’ Brexit that anyone with any sense sees as leading to chaos and pain in the short to medium term.
Of course the Brexit brigade claim the changes will not be so bad and all will be good in the end. The ‘end’ being possibly 50 years time according to William R-M one of the evangelist exiters who is most certainly ‘all right Jack’ and is in a position to take the shit when it hits the country’s fan.
So much of this is predictable and continues to be impossible to reach a state that satisfies a majority. The arch Brexiters will never be satisfied as they still live in Brexit dream and with no acknowledgement of the potential downsides of the change. They continue to harangue from the sidelines, criticising the negotiation plans and outcomes yet offering nothing as an alternative. When they are in charge- such as Raab and David Davies they resign when they have failed to conjure something that fits their dream and bitterly complain it is someone else’s fault, ie, Theresa May. I note R-M lists the potential Tory party leaders as those Brexiters who have been involved as ministers and resigned- because it all became too difficult to square their dreams and the reality. That does not augur well for their leadership of the future.
Now R-Mogg and co are looking to unseat May through a party no confidence bid. To what end? Is it to take he decision out of Parliament’s hands where they have no majority for a ‘no deal’ Brexit and so try to force a crashing out by default and achieve what they have always wanted? A ‘sovereign ‘ in name country but which will be bossed around by more powerful nations or pressured by any state negotiating because of the UK’s position of weakness through desperation. But they will try to follow through with their neoliberal small state agenda. No regulations, free business oppression of all while claiming they are doing the poor a favour. Nauseating.
A comical look at the state of affairs and how even now cannot admit the ridiculous and impossible demands of the original Brexit campaign which was also evidenced during May’s press conference yesterday afternoon after the prolonged statement to Parliament.
It’s all intrigue and acrimony from the right wing Brexit press without insight into their own failings:
May is continuing to fight her corner– doggedly I suppose but with what expectation.
The possible routes from this point remain multiple. Who knows? Crashing or stopping Brexit through another vote? More change ahead but a wounded May to continue for now I expect but in the end no parliamentary approval of the deal.
So the real reason for being in Covent Garden was to meet in the Porterhouse and go for a meal across the road. Pub was heaving. All arrived eventually.