Another pointless delay

The decision to delay Brexit is a bad one. The Withdrawal Agreement is not Brexit and is not acceptable to most UK voters. The WA is a long and expensive delay leaving the UK in a very weak position.

195 Comments

  1. Stephen Priest
    April 11, 2019

    Israel GDP Growth Tops OECD Countries

    Israel’s GDP growth
    2018 3.2%,
    2017 3.5%
    2016 4%

    I remainers tell us that Britain will be too small and isolated outside the EU

    1. Hope
      April 11, 2019

      May finished her collusion with the EU in October last year, she now demands the UK stays until October this year or even later until everyone is worn down to vote her servitude plan through. A year after a historic defeat to her servitude plan! She will demand a second referendum, revoke article 50 or agree to a full customs untion with Marxist Labour.

      DUP should withdraw support.
      Tory associations need to withdraw all support immediately May does not care nor is interested in you or your views.
      Leave MPs abstain from all voting until May goes. No different,from,cabinet ministers to date.

      1. Denis Cooper
        April 12, 2019

        She still colluding with the EU, with the Irish government, with Labour and the CBI and with anyone else who she can contrive to bring on her side.Relying on their misplaced party loyalty she has run rings around the Tory MPs and party members who want to leave the EU and reassert our national sovereignty and restore our national democracy.

        1. Hope
          April 12, 2019

          DUP agreement with the Tory Party not Labour. When she breaks the deal with the DUP by joining forces with Labour the DUP no longer have an obligation,with the Tory Party.

      2. Al
        April 12, 2019

        Abstaining, like not voting, simply lets her get her motions through unopposed.

        Remember, “the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing” -Edwin Burke.

        1. Stephen Priest
          April 12, 2019

          Labour are more than happy to lap Theresa May’s policies. She lifted most of the from the 2015 & 2017 Labour Party Manifestoes.

    2. Richard1
      April 11, 2019

      Good post.

    3. Lifelogic
      April 14, 2019

      Quite impressive for Israel, especially given that they have to spend so much on defence. Singapore is about twice as right per head as the UK too having been far poorer not that long ago.

      But the remoaners say that is OK for a small country but would not work in the larger UK. This is of course complete nonsense. Being large is a large advantage.

      Even if this were true you could spit the UK into say 12 Singapore size regions and allow them to compete economically and on tax levels. While combining for defence and other matters. But all that is really needed is lower taxes, cheap energy, no green crap and less government.

  2. Stephen Priest
    April 11, 2019

    We’re now leaving on Halloween. This will haunt Theresa May for years.

    Surely all MPs will want us to leave before Guy Fawkes Night 5th November?

    1. Mitchel
      April 12, 2019

      What do you reckon….trick or treat?

  3. Timaction
    April 11, 2019

    However you deserve one this Sir John it is still your leader, your Party and the bubble of Westminster legacies imposing their will on the 17.4 million plus Brexiteers. It will never be forgotten come future elections. May has ensured the political class will never be trusted again and there will be change in an electoral system that is broken!

  4. Timaction
    April 11, 2019

    Deserve one ….describes! Auto complete.

  5. Mark B
    April 11, 2019

    Good morning

    So we are to be left in EU purgatTORY. How nice.

    TM neither cares about your party or those in it. She has set herself a mission and that is to do as her masters bid. She is indeed carrying out her duty. It’s just not to us.

    The only chance we have is to bring down the government. If the opposition can be persuaded to table a no confidence motion and a few Tory MP’s abstain we just might be rid of her.

  6. Richard1
    April 11, 2019

    The European elections, which presumably must now be held, will be an interesting test of opinion – almost another referendum without having to have an actual one. So I suppose in reality both sides will need to wait for that to see the real current strength of their positions with the public.

    If we end up with a ‘deal’ comprising May’s WA + permanent CU, then like the Labour Party I will ‘move towards’ wanting a second referendum ‘on the table’. Or whatever weasel words they use to avoid saying they want to frustrate brexit. Reluctant Remain would be better than Brino.

    1. Richard1
      April 11, 2019

      I had hoped for a longer extension. The problem with 31 Oct is it might hat be short enough for Mrs May to say she is staying in office. The No. 1 thing the UK needs now is a change of PM (but not of course to a Marxist).

  7. What Tiler
    April 11, 2019

    It is perfectly obvious to those of us outside the Westminster bubble that the current denizens of that institution known heretofore as the mother of parliaments will not permit our exit from that cabal run by the unelected and unelectable mafiosi of the EU, no matter the damage done to our democracy, or indeed our business interests. We, out here, in the real world will have to bife our time, for now, and hope for some possibility of a peaceful resolution before it is too late. We will not forget those of you who have sat on your hands and put party before country, or worse in some cases greed and personal advancement, before country. Perhaps history will forgive you.

  8. Dominic
    April 11, 2019

    And of course the electorate will see this act of treachery and conclude it is all the work of Tory MPs when the real villains are the very people who Leave voters for at the last General Election ie Labour.

    Traditional Labour voters are the now the subject of so much deceit and propaganda. Labour need their electoral support at each GE to stand any chance of getting into power and yet working people who vote Labour have still not yet grasped the fact that the party they still vote for is not the same party they think it is.

    Someone, anyone must go north, sit down and explain to traditional, decent, working people that Labour is deceiving them, that Labour despises them and that it is Labour conspiring with May that destroyed their dream of a sovereign and independent UK

    This PM and this Marxist on the other side will go down in infamy for their Machiavellian and malicious destruction and wilful subjugation of our nation

    A day of shame

  9. Lynn Atkinson
    April 11, 2019

    Anything but the WA!

  10. Ken Marsh
    April 11, 2019

    Correct. The Brexit you advocated is national humiluation. But of course you will always try to blame others, never yourself

  11. Mick
    April 11, 2019

    October 31st total betrayal to the 2016 referendum result, labour/Tory’s/Lib Dem’s/etc are going to be hammered at the local and European elections and if there’s a GE soon your all going to be distant memories for the lack of respect for the British people

  12. Adam
    April 11, 2019

    Replace the PM with someone sensible.

  13. William Simpson
    April 11, 2019

    Does this further delay have to be ratified by parliament, or is it agreed under May’s prerogatives? If it needs ratification, is there any chance it will not receive it before 11 pm on 12 April?

  14. agricola
    April 11, 2019

    So how long is the delay offered. It would be helpful to know before commenting.

    1. agricola
      April 11, 2019

      Thanks to Sky News I now know it is a delay to October.

      With May in place there will be a continuation of the chaos we have had for the past near three years. It is imperative she goes along with her remain cabinet, to be replaced by a leave team.

      Edit and rework the WA to something the Conservative Party and the DUP can accept. Call it the UK Offer. It is the UKO or leave on WTO terms. The UKO should include a FTA on gokge and services with any due payment held until all is agreed. If the EU cannot agree then it is WTO terms and no payment.

      Once a UKO is formulated make sure via newspaper and broadcasting that all 27 EU countries are fully aware of what is on offer. Let them pressure the EU if that is their wish.

      Be in no doubt May must go and swiftly.

      1. agricola
        April 11, 2019

        Do I conclude that you do not like conclusive decisive action, but prefer driting on.

  15. oldtimer
    April 11, 2019

    Guido Fawkes has posted a funny gag “Brexit Burger King” on his web site. It neatly sums up the absurdity of May’s negotiation. It deserves wide currency among MPs of all persuasion. It might even induce her supporters (if any are left) that it was time for her to go and put this farce to an end.

    1. oldtimer
      April 11, 2019

      PS When the GE comes, preferably sooner than later, I think that the Monster Raving Looney party should be in with a chance. At least it should bring more clarity of thought and decision than the farce into which this government has descended. To avoid this humiliation the Conservative party should immediately change its rules, elect a new leader (leaving May in not so splendid isolation in No 10, in Gollum like pursuit of her “deal”). A vote of no confidence should then be called and passed, leading to a GE and the end of this useless government and parliament.

  16. Ian wragg
    April 11, 2019

    RIP Conservative Party.
    Police have been called to investigate the suicide of the Tory Party which was totally unnecessary as MPs did nothing to prevent it.

  17. Narrow Shoulders
    April 11, 2019

    So what will you and your fellow members of the ERG do about it?

    Everything that Mrs May is doing is designed to force through her withdrawal agreement which just needs a customs union added to it to secure Labour’s support.

    Ball is in Brexiteer’s court, we need to do something quite drastic to dislodge the establishment.

    1. Narrow Shoulders
      April 11, 2019

      Is now not a good time to bring your draft free trade agreement to the Commons as an amendment? Other MPs are being allowed to suggest amendments that form no part of the article 50 process so asking the EU for an FTA before we are a third country seems like a reasonable ask and one MPs should be able to get behind. Or show their true colours.

      1. Ken Marsh
        April 11, 2019

        Funny! Of course J Redwood’s “free trade agreement” is so much scotch mist

        1. Narrow Shoulders
          April 12, 2019

          “A” customs union is certainly Scotch mist yet that is being discussed. Therefore a free trade agreement can be tabled and debated

        2. Edward2
          April 12, 2019

          A free trade agreement has never been tried Ken
          We incompetently negotiated the dreadful Withdrawal Agreement.
          Although with the EU being a protectionist minded bloc the concept of free trade would be a shock for them.

  18. Michel
    April 11, 2019

    What happened to ‘Brexit Means Brexit’ (Leave Means Leave) and ‘No Deal is Better Than a Bad Deal’?

    If Parliament can’t decide, and the European Union refuse to open up the Withdrawal Agreement to ‘remove the backstop’ stalling block, isn’t it time to let the people break the gridlock.

    The British People voted to leave the European Union, so let them decide how.

    1. Accept the negotiated Withdrawal Agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union.

    OR

    2. Leave the European Union without an agreement?

  19. APL
    April 11, 2019

    JR: “Another pointless delay.”

    Requested, apparently by another pointless Tory leader.

  20. Old Albion
    April 11, 2019

    May must now stand down and you Conservatives need to elect a leader who will leave the EU.

    1. Doug Powell
      April 11, 2019

      I think we know she will NEVER stand down of her own volition! Over to the Tory Party – there must be something in your ‘museum of dark arts’ that fits this situation! Remember, it is not just YOUR party – it is also OUR country that needs freeing from this Dictator! Get on with it – bloody quickly! Let’s have a no deal!

  21. RichardM
    April 11, 2019

    Switzerland have demonstrated to us real democracy in action. Yesterday a national referendum was ordered to be re-run after their supreme court voided the result on the grounds that voters were not given full information.

    This is what happens when you have legally run, binding referendums. We are a banana republic in comparison.

  22. DaveM
    April 11, 2019

    So what’s the plan?!!!

  23. RAF
    April 11, 2019

    Another disasterous move from Mrs May (I’ve given up counting), a supine, divided and out of control Cabinet and the Tory Party at large in complete meltdown and still she is permitted to cling on to create more carnage.
    Who has Mrs May’s back such that this worst of all Prime Ministers is allowed to continue running amok both here and in Europe?

  24. J Bush
    April 11, 2019

    Good morning

    Despite the fact the Balls/Letwin Bill did not force her to do this, she has done so and now blames everyone else, just as Martin Howe QC said she would. She and she alone is responsible for this further delay.

    My daughter is diabetic and has Asperger and I recognize the traits in May. The difference being my daughter’s behaviours and decisions only affect herself and can be frustrating for those around her. However, May’s behaviours decisions are detrimental and damaging to the whole country. She has got to go.

  25. Simeon
    April 11, 2019

    Sir John,

    If the passing of March 29th hadn’t already made it clear, that April 12th will pass with the UK still in the EU must surely do so; this government and this Parliament will not leave the EU on terms that constitute a proper Brexit. Interestingly, the EU seem happy enough to delay Brexit indefinitely. Whether this is a friendly, pragmatic or sinister approach is not entirely clear. Seemingly, the best hope of a proper Brexit now is to be cast out by an EU whose patience finally runs out. Of course, the EU’s reserves of patience may know no practical limit…

    But what can parties here in the UK desirous of a proper Brexit do to make this a reality? Some suggest a reformation of the Conservative party, but in reality this would have to be a revolution given substantial numbers of MPs (and presumably the stock from which they are drawn) are careerist technocrats in thrall to the EU. How feasible is this really?

    Others suggest direct democracy in the form of a referendum in which the people state clearly that a proper Brexit is their will. But the prospects of, a) Parliament giving them that opportunity, and b) the people voting decisively tor a proper Brexit, seem pretty slim, given the powers and weapons ranged against such an expression.

    Still others suggest abandoning the Tories and swinging behind proper Brexit parties. But it is as plain as day that this would, in the short term at the very least, lead to a Labour government.

    In short, there seem to be no good options right now that achieve a proper Brexit. Is it time to make a tactical retreat, await reinforcements, and draw up a plan for a proper Brexit that is both deliverable and sustainable?

  26. William1995
    April 11, 2019

    I disagree. We need an extension to get May out and reset this whole process. New leader must pursue WTO. If the EU come back willing to negotiate a sensible deal (as I suspect they would) then great.

    The Conservatives must not waste this time. Replace May immediately.

  27. Bob
    April 11, 2019

    As I predicted almost three years ago, Mrs May’s mission is to ensure that Britain remains tethered to the EU, while she & her cohorts, (in the words of Arnold J. Toynbee)

    “all the time we are denying with our lips what we are doing with our hands.”

  28. Newmania
    April 11, 2019

    The withdrawal agreement is Brexit its just not the Brexit in your head. No Deal was clearly not the one on your head either. On numerous occasions you promised no new barriers or tariffs, no threat to trade and an immediate Brexy bonus to be scattered on” our priorities” so it can`t have been .
    I know the polls only show a 5 to 10% lead for remain but my feeling is that this is illusory. People I speak to will no longer defend it , no-one seems to want to be associated with it.

    I just get a feeling its dying – god I hope so

    1. NickC
      April 11, 2019

      Newmania, I don’t know anyone who is prepared to own Remain.

    2. L Jones
      April 11, 2019

      Newmania
      Perhaps you’d like to elucidate what you believe are the benefits to staying shackled to your much-revered EU. Forget the polls – let’s hear what YOU think.

      Can you please put into words just what it is that excites your admiration, and your belief that we would be better off staying with this failing ‘organisation’ and in thrall to its unelected masters, perhaps to be dragged down into an abyss of its own making.

    3. Richard1
      April 11, 2019

      A referendum with May’s deal, perhaps plus the customs union, versus remain, is now possible. This will indeed be a joke. Who will campaign for May’s deal? Would even Mrs May? The result would likely be 80-90% for Remain – on a 30% turnout. Because no-one who supports Leave – and crucially, the many remain voters who either support democracy or have changed their view – would participate.

  29. Sir Joe Soap
    April 11, 2019

    Nextension.
    Continuing nextension.
    Face it, your party has failed.

  30. Simeon
    April 11, 2019

    Sir John,

    If the passing of March 29th hadn’t already made it clear, that April 12th will pass with the UK still in the EU must surely do so; this government and this Parliament will not leave the EU on terms that constitute a proper Brexit. Interestingly, the EU seem happy enough to delay Brexit indefinitely. Whether this is a friendly, pragmatic or sinister approach is not entirely clear. Seemingly, the best hope of a proper Brexit now is to be cast out by an EU whose patience finally runs out. Of course, the EU’s reserves of patience may know no practical limit…

    But what can parties here in the UK desirous of a proper Brexit do to make this a reality? Some suggest a reformation of the Conservative party, but in reality this would have to be a revolution given substantial numbers of MPs (and presumably the stock from which they are drawn) are careerist technocrats in thrall to the EU, whilst far too few seem capable of intelligent, independent thought. How feasible is this really?

    Others suggest direct democracy in the form of a referendum in which the people state clearly that a proper Brexit is their will. But the prospects of, a) Parliament giving them that opportunity, and b) the people voting decisively tor a proper Brexit, seem pretty slim, given the powers and weapons ranged against such an expression.

    Still others suggest abandoning the Tories and swinging behind proper Brexit parties. But it is as plain as day that this would, in the short term at the very least, lead to a Labour government.

    In short, there seem to be no good options right now that achieve a proper Brexit. Is it time to make a tactical retreat, await reinforcements, and draw up a plan for a proper Brexit that is both deliverable and sustainable?

  31. Peter Wood
    April 11, 2019

    Good Morning,

    Sir John,
    from the 2 departure date extensions we must deduce that the EU are greatly fearful of the UK leaving without the Withdrawal Agreement, or ‘no deal’ exit. This should be explained to your HoC colleagues who have tried to remove this option to leave without a deal because it is not a realistic threat; they are wrong, it clearly scares the EU.

    Second, The HoC has voted down the WA 3 times; Mrs. May needs to understand that this makes her WA a ‘bad deal’. Will she accept that and carryout her promise to leave on ‘no deal’ since that is clearly better than her ‘Bad Deal’.

    1. L Jones
      April 11, 2019

      So obvious, isn’t it?

  32. Julie Dyson
    April 11, 2019

    The masterplan is now clear — just drag it out for so long that the majority will welcome revoking A50 and staying in, then the little people can shuffle off back to their little lives and most will never even bother voting again. Score one for the we-know-best establishment mindset.

    But they’ve grievously miscalculated this one. There have been protest votes before, but never on the scale we will see in the elections in May, nor at the next GE whenever that may be. This will be the year of extremism, turmoil and political upheaval — the little people have been left with no other voice and therefore no choice.

  33. James Bertram
    April 11, 2019

    To see what May has really signed us up to now please read today’s Brexit Facts4EU article on their website ‘Exclusive – not only an extension, but a straitjacket too’.

    1. James Bertram
      April 11, 2019

      I note one ray of hope from the article: ‘There is no mention of the UK being able to exit the EU before 31 October on any other basis, other than it exiting automatically if it fails to hold elections to the EU Parliament. This, however, is something which the Government put in place by law yesterday.’
      Does that mean if the Tory Party finally manages to get rid of May next week and cancels the European Elections then we are automatically out?
      Sir John, with respect, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

      1. Denis Cooper
        April 12, 2019

        Just getting rid of the Tory leader would not create a Commons majority for cancelling the elections. After the Tory losses in the unnecessary general election that she held in 2017, allegedly on the advice of the President of the EU Commission, even if all the Tory MPs voted for something that was no longer a majority of all MPs, and since that time there have been defections to the opposition as well as frequent rebellions.

        There is an article in Parliament’s House Magazine entitled:

        “The PM’s 52% strategy was doomed to fail”

        in which the author suggests that the present mess was inevitable from the start. However I would question that, my perception is that the tide began to turn against Brexit immediately after the 2017 election.

  34. Merlin
    April 11, 2019

    Another point I realised last night 
 and I’ve never heard it raised is the London question.

    Nobody seems to discuss the fact that Parliament is slap bang in the middle of an area that voted 70% remain with 7 odd million people in it, when most strongly Brexit areas are hundreds of miles away. This could lead to problems if things get confrontational.

    1. Merlin
      April 11, 2019

      This is absolutely not a threat. Quite the reverse. I’m a staunch law and order man.

      1. Merlin
        April 11, 2019

        Oh, and finally, this line is opinion being presented as fact:

        ‘The Withdrawal Agreement is not Brexit and is not acceptable to most UK voters.’

        I’m not aware there has been a public vote on the withdrawal agreement – unless you are proposing one.

        1. NickC
          April 11, 2019

          Merlin, Read the WA yourself. It is (to be) a treaty locking the UK into a “single customs territory”, aligned to SM rules (inc “agri-food” so CFP and CAP), subject to the ECJ, subject to EU military, security and diplomatic control. That is Remain. We voted by 52:48 to Leave, which therefore rejects the WA.

          1. Denis Cooper
            April 12, 2019

            Not, it is not Remain, it is Leave, but Leave on bad treaty terms which could be very difficult to improve in the future. However the only alternative to that unsatisfactory Leave is Remain – as indeed would be posited in the repeat referendum which Theresa May is keeping in reserve in case of continued defiance by the diminishing minority of strongly pro-Brexit Tory MPs. I don’t know if they believe her when she says she doesn’t want a repeat referendum, surely they realise she could say that a hundred times but then arrange for it to happen without any qualm. She has run rings around the pro-Brexit Tory MPs; they have allowed her to do that through an excess of party loyalty.

        2. Edward2
          April 11, 2019

          Just read it Merlin.
          Plainly firstly it isn’t a deal and secondly it isn’t actually leaving the EU

          1. Denis Cooper
            April 12, 2019

            http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2019/04/11/another-pointless-delay/#comment-1012661

            “
 the law of the Union and of Euratom in its entirety ceases to apply to the United Kingdom from the date of entry into force of this Agreement 
”

          2. Edward2
            April 12, 2019

            Try making an independent trade deal or not accepting any rules regulations or directives made by the EU after we sign the WA treaty.
            It is why it is 600 pages.
            Your sentence is contradicted by other sentences further in the huge document.

          3. Denis Cooper
            April 12, 2019

            Then quote some of them, and show precisely how they mean we would in hard legal fact still be in the EU.

            I have no patience with “it would not be leaving” or “it would be Brexit in name only” misrepresentations.

          4. Edward2
            April 12, 2019

            I find it odd Denis that you have been one of the biggest leave the EU campaigner yet suddenly you now support the PMs dreadful Withdrawal Agreement and are posting how wonderful it is.
            The Withdrawal Agreement has been discussed at length on here and in the media.
            I have read your posts on here with admiration but I feal we will never agree about this.

          5. Denis Cooper
            April 13, 2019

            Where have I said that it is wonderful? Nowhere, the opposite, I have repeatedly said that it is rubbish. However unfortunately this rubbish deal is the only deal to get us out of the EU. Tory MPs have stood by and allowed their rubbish leader to negotiate this rubbish deal, which in hard reality is now the only available deal, and the alternative is not leaving the EU at all. If you think that would be preferable then you should think again about how long it would take even to get another chance to leave after the present attempt had failed. Given that last time it took 41 years (1975 to 2016) I would not expect to be alive to see it, if it ever happened. You can snatch a clear defeat out of the jaws of victory, and have the issue settled for a generation or two, or you can accept this poor and questionable victory for what it is – you could even say it is little better than a draw, if you choose – and take that as your starting point for the next stage.

  35. Alan Jutson
    April 11, 2019

    Agree with your post completely JR.

    It has gained us only more humiliation.

  36. Stred
    April 11, 2019

    The government should list the matters which it claims to make leaving on WTO a disaster and explain why after nearly three years it has not prepared. Either way it is lying or culpable.

    1. James1
      April 11, 2019

      The Conservative Party needs to ditch Mrs May. The need is beyond urgent. It’s time for some mass resignations of Ministers who are serving in posts within her haphazard administration. Let’s start with half a dozen per day, every day for a week. Beginning with the Cabinet.

  37. Stred
    April 11, 2019

    The government should list the matters which it claims to make leaving on WTO a disaster and explain why after nearly three years it has not prepared. Either way it is lying or culpable..

  38. Lifelogic
    April 11, 2019

    May’s £39 billion straightjacket Treaty is clearly not Brexit in any sense at all. May’s has consistently got almost every single decision she makes totally wrong. The only exception I can think of is opt out organ donation (and even that is only planned for 2020). How may will die in the interim from her delay over this I wonder?

    “I regret have not yet been able to persuade Parliament to approve a deal to allow the UK to leave in a smooth and orderly way” says May. Thank goodness parliament has not approved her appalling betrayal deal. Time for the men in grey suites to take her and tax to death Philip Hammond away. Every time it see or hear the robotic liar and total fool Theresa May is profoundly depressing. Nearly three years totally wasted by this “government”.

    1. Lifelogic
      April 11, 2019

      David Davis today said he was one of the 200 who voted for confidence in Theresa May. Why would anyone sensible have done such a very stupid thing? This long after it was very clear indeed just how incompetent, foolish and dishonest she was being. Also how much of a huge electoral liability she clearly was? Even the leavers like “let’s kill private schools” Gove (expecially) and David Davis are going potty.

    2. Vernon Wright
      April 13, 2019

      What ever one might think of to-day’s honours system (long ago debased by the illegal Wilson rĂ©gime), Mr. Joyce, I wish those that address Sir John in person would nevertheless do so correctly: he might never have held a guitar in his life but I’m sure he’s enough of a ‘celebrity’ to qualify for his knighthood.

      It’s a matter of courtesy.

      ΠΞ

      Reply It is not necessary to use the title when talking or writing to me.

  39. Steve Reay
    April 11, 2019

    The extra 6.5 months the EU have given us should be used to make sure we are ready to leave without a deal, there should be no excuse saying we are just not quite ready.

  40. Andy
    April 11, 2019

    The withdrawal agreement IS Brexit. It is the Brexiteers in Parliament – you and your ERG friends – who have refused to vote for it. It is you who have all made a delay inevitable.

    It is a rubbish deal but Mrs May has a done far better than any of your ever would or could considering all the pointless red lines she set. Red lines deigned to appease you and your friends most of which, in no way, reflect the result of the referendum.

    So stop whinging Mr Redwood. Vote for the withdrawal agreement next week and we leave next week. Me and my side then start the long process of slowly destroying the politicial careers of all of those who gifted our country this Brexit mess. It may take us several general elections but we will ultimately remove every single one of you.

  41. John G
    April 11, 2019

    Agreed, TM seems to be the only person that believes in her ‘Deal’. Perhaps she could explain in more detail why she thinks it’s the best option and how it delivers on Brexit? I doubt very much that she could.
    “Leave in an orderly way” is what she keeps saying but it’s not been very orderly for quite some time with little hope of it ever doing so if she keeps on the course she insists on taking us.

  42. Nick Thompson
    April 11, 2019

    This whole sorry affair has one silver lining. it has put the spotlight firmly onto Parliament and has finally exposed the fact that it is not fit for purpose. It does not stand for the people but rather for a set of career politicians who are only looking out for themselves and their interests (our host and a few others excepted).

    It has also clearly shown that it is faceless and unelected bureaucrats in the Civil Service and EU that weld the real power.

    May we have a peoples revolution please? Does anyone have a yellow vest?

  43. Bryan Harris
    April 11, 2019

    Agreed

    May is running rings around us all – When is something going to be done to curtail her mission to make us a vassal state – Suggestions needed….

    1. Denis Cooper
      April 12, 2019

      An alarm bell rang in September 7th 2016, when she said “… we will not provide a running commentary on every twist and turn of the negotiation …”.

      But apparently pro-Brexit Tory MPs did not hear it – perhaps because they did not want to hear it, they wanted to trust her – and so they did not think:

      “This is what has happened in the past with EU treaties; the government would go off and negotiate and agree a treaty, and then Parliament could not change it, not as much as a comma; we could only take it or leave it as it stood.”

  44. Dame Rita Webb
    April 11, 2019

    Well why are you not publicising the petition for 10,000 party members to ask for the rule book to be changed to be rid of her?

  45. MickN
    April 11, 2019

    What I want to see is ALL of those that consider themselves leavers in the cabinet to resign today. Mind you I want world peace and a lottery win too and they seem even more likely.

  46. Roy Grainger
    April 11, 2019

    The delay achieves exactly what Mrs May wanted – the ability to stay on as PM for another 6 months. To stay on even longer I imagine she’ll agree a second referendum with Labour and ask for a further year to organise it. I suppose the ERG will organise another confidence vote on her in December but I wouldn’t be sure the majority of your useless MPs will vote against her even then. Labour vote seems to be holding up well in EU election polling, Conservatives not so much I’m pleased to see.

  47. Simon
    April 11, 2019

    A day or two ago you were telling people that exit date was somehow fixed in “law”. Complete nonsense obviously.

    1. Edward2
      April 11, 2019

      A day or two ago you were telling people that the EU did not have any powers or supremacy of law over us.
      Complete nonsense obviously.

  48. Brian Tomkinson
    April 11, 2019

    On 20 March Theresa May stated three times in PMQs “As prime minister, I am not prepared to delay Brexit any further than 30 June”. When can we expect her successor to take over?

  49. formula57
    April 11, 2019

    But it means that T. May is kept on for a while longer, to the convenience and great advantage of the Conservative Party (I assume, for no-one else wants her).

  50. James Dixon
    April 11, 2019

    I understand 10,000 signatures from party members is sufficient to trigger a change in the rules governing the year gap between no-confidence votes in the PM by Conservative MPs.
    I trust you have had a word with your constituency chairman and are collecting signatures as we speak.

  51. Fred H
    April 11, 2019

    Please renew efforts with sympathisers to display your horror at her ‘deal’. How about all of you getting up and leaving the chamber just as she is about to be invited to speak?

  52. BOF
    April 11, 2019

    When the Prime Minister finally ran out of road to kick the can down she turned to the EU and they have kicked the can on her behalf. Twice now.

  53. Anonymous
    April 11, 2019

    Sarah Wollaston was allowed to say on BBC “The problem with Brexit is that there are so many different versions of it.”

    We should stick to the one defined by David Cameron’s government leaflet then, which meant leaving the Single Market.

    There are many differing version of Remain but the BBC never asks of it.

    The “STOP BREX-XIIIT !” man has won hasn’t he. (The guy in blue and yellow hat – that no-one ever cared to wear before – in the background of every BBC interview.)

  54. BlakeB
    April 11, 2019

    The UK is in a very weak position anyhow and it has nothing much to do with the EU but everything to do with Tory party squabbling and a useless Labour party .

    ‘The WA is not acceptable to most UK voters’- please explain how you know this? – Are you one of these visionaries John who only has to look into his heart to know what’s best for the British people?

  55. Lifelogic
    April 11, 2019

    Pointless and very expensive indeed (in extra membership fees and the huge lost oportunity costs) plus the continued dithering uncertainty for business and the country.

    Why one earth are May and all the remoaners so completely idiotic?

  56. miami.mode
    April 11, 2019

    How ironic that a couple of MPs can introduce a motion to delay Brexit, which they would not be able to accomplish if they were MEPs.

  57. Oggy
    April 11, 2019

    Brexit has not been delayed or postponed, it is now in the process of being cancelled.

    Reality check,
    MP’s have made a WTO withdrawal illegal,
    MP’s rightly refuse to accept the only WA the EU is prepared to offer,
    So that leaves only one option – staying in.

  58. The PrangWizard
    April 11, 2019

    She tells the HoC that she is not prepared to agree to an extension beyond 30th June.

    Yesterday she agreed to one to 31st October.

    She is so ‘strong and stable’ isn’t she? And so trustworthy. Her only reliability is her dishonesty. Such leadership, we are truly blessed.

  59. ukretired123
    April 11, 2019

    TM is enslaving us into the EU by stealth – modern slavery by stealth.

    “You can stretch people but you must not tear them” is famous in people management HR circles which TM needs to understand .

    If we do not get real Brexit in 12th April 2019 we will never get it and that will tear people and democracy from the mother of all parliaments.

    TM needs to stop playing charades – all smiles for EU but not for you and me.
    Thank you Theresa but you have failed us spectacularly to deliver real Brexit.
    Thank you Sir John for your sterling efforts in trying to bring sanity to the Westminster bubble.

  60. TheyWontCrushBrexit
    April 11, 2019

    MPs must urgently confront Theresa May on her Withdrawal (EU Surrender) Agreement.

    1) Why has the Full Legal Advice not been released (contempt of Parliament)?
    2) Tell her the Advice must be released immediately.
    3) What is the ÂŁ39 billion payment to the EU for?
    4) Tell her a detailed breakdown of the ÂŁ39 billion must be released immediately.

    Once this (deliberately concealed) information is out there, MPs will understand more about what her Deal is about.

    It is shocking that this has not yet happened!

  61. Bryan Harris
    April 11, 2019

    Not only pointless, but extended – SHE HAS NOW EXTENDED TO OCTOBER 31

    She has to go, otherwise she will find some way to convince more MP’s to vote for her surrender deal by this new deadline.

    Time for the good guys in the white shirts to stop playing the gentleman and force May out – NOW

  62. Tom Rogers
    April 11, 2019

    Britain’s Article 50 notification has now been unlawfully revoked/withdrawn – that is the effect of an extension beyond the European elections, so far as I am concerned. I do not see how anybody could reasonably come to any other conclusion. It means the government are actively trying to stop us leaving the EU by diminishing the currency of the notification until it becomes meaningless. The government has acted in bad faith, having no intention (and probably never having) of seeing through the Article 50 notification to its necessary conclusion.

  63. Stephen
    April 11, 2019

    Is No Deal acceptable to most voters?

  64. ChrisS
    April 11, 2019

    The Remain conspiracy continues.

    Now that they have engineered a delay until October ( with the help of Brussels and a few Brexiteers ), the push for a second referendum will change up a gear and will be hard to stop. Our only hope now is that the Party leaders fear the outcome of the European Elections enough to reach a deal and push it through Parliament quickly in the face of the Remainer majority.

    Whatever is agreed, if progress can be made on the “alternative Solutions” to the NI border and a Conservative majority could be restored by a new leader in the next 18 months, any Customs Union proposal can be thrown out.

  65. acorn
    April 11, 2019

    The last four press releases from the EU Newsroom make interesting reading. Hopefully, UK techies are managing to mirror the detail for no-deal reciprocity, despite the total lack of competent elected leadership in Westminster and Downing Street. See bottom of the page at https://europa.eu/newsroom/highlights/special-coverage/brexit_en . EU number crunchers are guessing that Brexit has cost €4 billion so far. Just add it to the divorce bill Donald T.

    1. acorn
      April 11, 2019

      Update: Forget the “four” mentioned above; read all the April ones.

  66. Paul H
    April 11, 2019

    So how do you stop it? May is now an out-of-control dictator to the UK, a servile lap-dog to the EU.

  67. Tad Davison
    April 11, 2019

    A weak position negotiated by a weak and feeble Prime Minister who blames everybody but herself. The Conservative party knows how to remedy it. According to reports in the Telegraph, if just 16 party members per constituency signed a petition, they could get the rules changed and oust her. As it stands, she is free to obfuscate and obstruct the process as much as she likes.

    There is an historical parallel. A certain figure saw his nation absolutely destroyed but blamed everyone else for not doing as he demanded. That figure too was totally inflexible and incapable of compromise. Their kind are detached from reality.

    Political oblivion awaits.

  68. Rien Huizer
    April 11, 2019

    Mr Redwood,

    Maybe you should have a general election in order to elect a parliament that shares your preferences. But there was one in 2017, right? THis Parliament is not going to do a no deal. Whatever the alternative to no-deal may trun out to be is anyone’s guess. The keys may be at 105 Victoria Street for a while..

    1. Edward2
      April 11, 2019

      Problem Rien is who do we trust to with our next vote?
      In 2017 both main parties promised to leave.
      Only Greens and Lib Dems said they would refuse to leave and they did badly

    2. NickC
      April 11, 2019

      Rien, In the 2017 election both main parties said they would respect the Leave vote.

      1. Rien Huizer
        April 12, 2019

        @ Nick C

        It does not matter what politicians promise, if they lack power it will not happen. The 2017 manifestos were, in a way unrealistic, because the only way a party could have lived up to its promises would be through a solid majority. In a hung Parliament, different conditions apply and manifesto promises are useless. The only thing that could happen is that a party ‘s government (relying on a coalition partner) would attempt to push its policy promise through. That could easily lead to an early election. That is the process you see here.

        You might be angry about that but anger is pointless so save your energy for the next election. That might be after council elections where the Conservative Party may not do very well (Labour better) because they are considered to be in government and doing badly (Brexit uses up a lot of energy) and the possible EU elections (almost certain to take place unless the Conservatives manage to be united in support of the WAB and can pull a dozen non-conservatives along) so that a EU election will be superfluous, will show the familiar continental distribution: 60% to traditional parties (35 Labour, 25 Tory), 20% to greens and small l liberals and 20% to right wing and eurosceptic parties (there are euerosceptics everywhere but by the latter I mean virtual one-issue parties). The trouble is that the Conservatives, due to their (1) generally older voter base and (2) generally nationalistic (and small) membership base, are bound to present to voters a more eurosceptic image than their business donors want them to be. A very tough place to be in. Also something that a change of leaders will not change and very risky to play with the fire of a general election. And then to keep in mind that the leader of Labour is probably a touch too extreme to command a majority other than by Tory weakness. Enjoy.

  69. Lindsay McDougall
    April 11, 2019

    The delay until 31st October has only one virtue. It enables ALL Brexiteers to form a UNIFIED Brexiteers’ Party to contest a General election in October or earlier. Step one must be to create a Brexiteers’ Manifesto. This manifesto will be totally uncompromising on issues of sovereignty but must inevitably contain compromise on some domestic issues, e.g. Trade Union rights, in order to find favour with Kate Hoey, Graham Stringer and Labour Leave. You should aim to have a draft version circulated via the Internet by the end of May, to be refined in the weeks leading up to a General Election campaign.

    In terms of reorganising political forces and Parties, I don’t know what is possible in the UK in the time. All I would point out is that an Israeli political party that didn’t exist four months ago has just come within an ace of unseating the mighty Likud.

  70. Lynn Atkinson
    April 11, 2019

    We the Tory electorate want to vote for a full slate of Brexiteers, those who have proven themselves in Parliament (we may be able to forgive a little lapse under duress eg Fabricant) and for all the Brexiteer Candidates that Central Office refuse to have on the party list.
    We need you en mass to leave the Tories and establish such a Party, you can then elect a Leader we can be proud of without faffing around waiting until December. You can support Mrs May’s minority as DUP does, until you are ready, then no Confidence in her Govt. twice to get an election.
    Then get us out of the EU and govern us as we deserve to be Governed. Honestly and honourably. Please! These is no alternative!

  71. Everhopeful
    April 11, 2019

    Well. There we have it!
    It unfolded exactly as predicted.
    A bit like guessing the end of some appalling soap opera.
    Obviously nowhere near as badly conceived and written as the Whitehall Farce.
    So no one need congratulate themselves.
    We all knew exactly what was coming.
    The political class have revealed. Nowhere to hide.
    Just like Rumpelstitskin.
    Except that unlike the Miller’s daughter the UK actually does spin gold.

    1. Everhopeful
      April 11, 2019

      ********The political class has revealed itself.

      1. Everhopeful
        April 11, 2019

        Oh dear!
        Didn’t sleep last night.
        3am Brexit fury.
        RUMPELSTILTSKIN.
        Sorry!

  72. Alan Joyce
    April 11, 2019

    Dear Mr. Redwood,

    Brexit commentators are suggesting that the prospect of the Withdrawal Agreement being passed in the next six months is still very unlikely and that cross-party talks will come to naught because of Conservative opposition to a customs union.

    A functioning government, therefore, would use the delay to ensure that preparations for leaving the EU with No Deal were absolutely complete and ready to go come 31st October so that there could be no excuses. It would also press ahead with all of the trade deals that have not yet been agreed ready for when the UK leaves the EU. But this one… nah!

  73. 'None of the above'.
    April 11, 2019

    The only thing to look forward to now are the elections.

    I will not have the opportunity to vote in the locals this year but I will be voting ‘Brexit Party’ at the EU election. I look forward to all the parties represented in this current Parliament getting a drubbing.

  74. John Partington
    April 11, 2019

    We have been sold down the river by May and some of her Remainer MPs. We need to leave the EU soon and do it on WTO rules. Take back control of our Country,laws,waters etc..

  75. JimS
    April 11, 2019

    There have always been politicians that I like and politicians that I didn’t like.

    There have always been policies that I aproved of and policies that I didn’t approve of.

    I just don’t understand Mrs May and her policies. Why is she so determined to get this Withdrawal Agreement, (falsely described as ‘a deal’) signed off? Why would ANY UK MP accept this deal, whatever their feelings about EU membership?

    Why does she keep making appeals to the public? She has never been a likeable person and no-one likes someone that keeps breaking their word. Is she ill?

  76. Hope
    April 11, 2019

    “As Prime Minister I am not prepared to delay Brexit any further than 30th June.” Another day another lie.

    You might recall she also said an extension changes nothing. So what is the purpose prey tell other than to change our minds?

    1. Hope
      April 11, 2019

      Oh she also said as short as possible. Six months! Farage was right again- she will delay, then delay then delay. According to May she said. O thing changes by having an extension. The EU says it will only offer the servitude plan and it is not being reopened.

      Tell us JR, what harm May is causing to business and the economy by Her uncertainty. This is her choice, not forced upon her by anyone. Her choice alone.

  77. L Jones
    April 11, 2019

    Doesn’t this make rather a mockery of your post of yesterday, Sir John? Not a mockery of you personally – just the ones with no backbone or sense of loyalty to their country, as opposed to their party.

  78. James McCubbin
    April 11, 2019

    John, you’re a man of exceptional intellect and wisdom, and a man of principle. When you look around and survey your Conservative ‘colleagues’ don’t you feel that something fundamental has changed.?
    It’s like waiting for your luggage at the carousel then slowly realising that nobody around you was on your flight.
    Time to stop waiting, time to do something radical.

  79. Am
    April 11, 2019

    Pretend and extend.
    The erg must cross the floor joining the Brexit party immediately. The government will fall immediately.

  80. Denis Cooper
    April 11, 2019

    Of course it’s not a “pointless” delay.

    Rather you and your ERG “counsel of perfection” colleagues have now helped to provide the liar cheat hypocrite and traitor Theresa May, your Tory party leader, with a plausible excuse to keep us in the EU long enough for a repeat referendum.

    I point out again that the EU has a strong record of winning repeat referendums.

    I said before that they have won in three cases out of four, but in the exception – Norway – the referendums were twenty two years apart while for the other three – one in Denmark, two in Ireland – the delay, for a “period of reflection” as it was called in Ireland after the rejection of the Lisbon Treaty in 2008, a term which I have just heard again on TV – was much shorter, and three years would fit well enough into that established pattern.

    Thanks a lot.

    For more than twenty years I’ve been doing my small bit to get us out of the EU, as often as not fighting against the Tory party, and now all that will be thrown away by Tories who keep saying that they want us to leave the EU but are not prepared to accept anything less than a perfect deal to get us out.

    Reply Try re reading the WA.It does not get us out. It binds us in and delays a possible exit

    1. Monza 71
      April 11, 2019

      Reply to reply :

      Denis is right, as usual :

      Sir John, when are you going to realise that May and the Remainer majority in Parliament have put us in a position where the only option that will get us out of the EU is her withdrawal agreement.

      We don’t like it any more than you, but that’s the situation. Brexiteers made a fatal mistake in failing to back the agreement on the third occasion. As a direct result, you will now be forced to accept a much softer Brexit with a Customs Union, a second referendum or no Brexit at all.

      Remainers are sensing victory and they might even be able to revoke A50 altogether if you don’t back May’s deal and pretty damned quickly. We can then leave before being forced to take part in the European elections.

      Reply The WA does not get us out, but repeals the important parts of the EU Withdrawal Act!

    2. Richard1
      April 11, 2019

      If there is another referendum and leave loses it might be because the leave campaign employs language such as you use here Denis. Perhaps you’ll be OK and remain will bang on about project fear 4.0 and how everyone who wants Brexit is a (dead) racist bigot, but don’t count on it.

      1. Denis Cooper
        April 12, 2019

        What language would that be, then?

    3. Denis Cooper
      April 12, 2019

      It is only necessary to read the Preamble to see that this is a false analysis.

      https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/759019/25_November_Agreement_on_the_withdrawal_of_the_United_Kingdom_of_Great_Britain_and_Northern_Ireland_from_the_European_Union_and_the_European_Atomic_Energy_Community.pdf

      In particular:

      “… the law of the Union and of Euratom in its entirety ceases to apply to the United Kingdom from the date of entry into force of this Agreement …”

      obviously does not bind us in, the exact opposite.

      There may be much to dislike in the treaty but it cannot be claimed that it would keep us in the EU, a party to its treaties and subject to its laws.

      How do you suppose this futile resistance will end?

  81. Andrew S
    April 11, 2019

    So where we are at is – tory mps cannot get rid of May, that traitor is doing whatever she and hammond say, totally against the majority verdict of the people. She doesn’t have a commons majority, will get wiped out at any public election, ministers don’t know what they’re doing, there is no other programme of government, the ERG is powerless, and the EU is calling her shots. Pathetic.

  82. Al
    April 11, 2019

    It seems that Conservative members are finally being given a say, with an attempt to gain 10,000 signatures to change the party constitution to allow Ms. May to be forced out.

    It may be too late as many of those who would sign have already walked out in disgust at her. Nevertheless, I wish them all the best, and hope that someone is in touch with the conservative associations in the TIGs’ constituencies to get their members’ signatures after their MPs deserted the party.

    1. Chris
      April 11, 2019

      I believe that the figure was well over 9,800 earlier today.

  83. NickC
    April 11, 2019

    In 2013 I predicted (yes, I have written proof of it) that the: “Article 50 route is a trap: it enables the EU to spin a web of new rules and conditions that could mean leaving was almost impossible“. Such is the WA.

    I did not predict that Remains in government, the civil service, and even the Prime Minister would connive with the EU to make the leaving conditions almost impossible. The only realistic option now, consistent with our vote to Leave, is to walk away from the EU. And we can take that at any time.

    Most of our MPs seem uninformed, bewildered and unable to think logically. I’m no clairvoyant, nor unique in my 2013 prediction, so why can’t our MPs see the bleedin obvious? Are they thick? – uneducated? – racist? – or just out to destroy our democracy?

    1. Jiminyjim
      April 11, 2019

      The only snag is that we now can’t walk away ‘at any time’. If you read the detail, last night our PM signed away that right. We can’t now leave on WTO until Hallow’een. Needless to say, BBC and C4 have made NO mention of this. We need to discover a way of punishing those who peddle fake news endlessly and shamelessly

  84. Les
    April 11, 2019

    Y’know perhaps we should be thankful for the Mayhem – if it means that the corruption of the HoC and the EU has been laid bare – folk might do something about it.
    BTW The Unionists – notwithstanding their flaws – seem to be the only party which has understood and stuck to UK principles.
    It may be that there is a global trend to nationhood which is inexorable – it may even mean the break up of the Union!!! like it or not … but supra-national bodies (empires/world-government) have failed. Small countries seem to survive…

  85. graham1946
    April 11, 2019

    No surprise. Many of us predicted before even the 29th March ‘deadline’that there would be many more. Many of us predicted there would be no Brexit at all as soon as May was crowned leader. The latest edition of ‘Old Graham’s Almanac’ predicts that come Halloween we will still not be out and there will be another extension and it is Mrs. May who will still be there asking for it.

    1. Andrew S
      April 11, 2019

      May will be out when the local elections and if MEP elections occur, when tories get wiped out. So either Corbyn will be PM or the grassroot tories get to choose and on current thinking Boris would get it. So there is still a chance of a proper leave, with a a huge Brexit protest vote to wipe tory councillors and MEPs out.
      Looking forward to seeing them destroyed as first of many punishments.

  86. Ian Pennell
    April 11, 2019

    Dear Sir John Redwood,

    Indeed, given that Voters were promised Brexit by 29th March 2019, millions of Brexit supporters (and indeed Remainers who accept the democratic result of the 2016 Referendum and who want Brexit sorted out) will be bitterly disappointed. Theresa May has shown no real leadership, she is weak and she backs down at every sign of grapeshot (except with regards to her Deal) and she delays the day of reckoning. This is the second time the date Britain leaves the European Union has been delayed- until seven months after Britain was originally supposed to leave.

    You and your colleagues must use the time to make sure that Theresa May is gone, to ensure that a proper Leader and Brexit- supporter is elected as Prime Minister following a Conservative Leadership Contest. We cannot go on like this or the Conservative Party will be annihilated at the next Election. Thanks to the mess Theresa May has presided over regarding Brexit the Conservatives already face losing hundreds of Councillors in next month’s local elections.

    In the mean time, the Forces of Remain- most MPs, the Speaker, the House of Lords, High Court and Supreme Court Judges- must be fought against by whatever means are necessary to stop them getting their way.

    Ian Pennell

  87. Edwardm
    April 11, 2019

    With this latest delay Mrs May has defied the popular will and turned a strong position into a national humiliation. She is serial offender and she must be forced from office.
    Also those conservative MPs who have supported her bear considerable responsibility.

    1. APL
      April 11, 2019

      Given the chance, you know what to do in the local elections.

  88. Les
    April 11, 2019

    Surely the only way to avoid electoral meltdown is to do something concrete; and that can only be Leave. Words – against the background of lies, deceit etc., will not and should not convince anyone. Also, as TM has lost all credibility, it goes without saying that she must go.
    The populace may be caught in its government system – but they are not all fools.

  89. agricola
    April 11, 2019

    We are at a seminal moment in the future of democracy. Up until the election of Trump in the USA and the leave result of the UK referendum politicians and the establishment on both sides of the Atlantic had to date paid lip service to the electorate and democracy. Now everything has changed. Politicians and the establishment had better get used to it. The electorate know that they are the ones who fund this edifice and those that to date have been trusted to run things had better pay attention.

    In terms of Brexit, 650 members of the HoC have only been listening to themselves. They will pay for this act of self indulgence, first at the local election and second at the European elections. Continued failure to listen to the electorate will destroy both main political parties. So I would suggest to the Tory party in particular that they get it sorted fast. Many have told you how so get on with it minus your summer break if necessary.

  90. BR
    April 11, 2019

    Now you have time, find a way to get her out and put in place someone who will deliver a proper Brexit.

  91. John Sheridan
    April 11, 2019

    All good points and yet the majority of Tory MPs seem content to leave her in place. I continue to be amazed that so many of your colleagues are willing to sign-up to the WA as it currently stands.

    Reluctantly, I’ve decided that I will not vote for Conservative candidates whilst Mrs May clings to power. First time I’ve not voted for a Tory in decades.

  92. bigneil
    April 11, 2019

    With apologies to Johnny Mathis – TM’s version

    You ask how much I need EU – Must I explain
    I need EU oh my darling like roses need rain
    You ask how long I’ll love EU -I’ll tell you true
    Until the twelfth of never – we’ll still be paying EU

  93. LukeM
    April 11, 2019

    The WA is the nearest government could get to brexit..they negotiated it, DD, May and the others..in fact they all signed off on it including Boris and Fox, Gove et al. So ratify It and we can be out in the morning, if we don’t and if we leave without agreement then the EU has warned that before anything else can be discussed the WA will first of all have to be ratified. So in or out we are still going to have to meet our obligations in this regard and if we think something else can be done to get around it, well it would be only fanciful dreaming. I hear today that Arlene Foster IDS and others have gone over to brussels to demand of Barnier that he reopen the WA.. all nonsense from the naysayers and a complete waste of time. My guess is he will send them packing.

  94. Andy
    April 11, 2019

    The best thing about Brexit day now being Halloween is that rather than getting my kids dressed up as ghosts or witches to go trick or treating we can dress up as Tories instead.

    We know the blue rosetted monsters scare away pretty much anyone under the age of 50 anyway so it will be a great disguise.

    My son could paint his face red, stuff a pillow down his top and go as Mark Francois. He would have to shout a lot though. My daughter could be Boris. Scary clowns are a thing after all.

    1. Edward2
      April 12, 2019

      Millions of Labour supporters voted leave too andy.

  95. Woody
    April 11, 2019

    We have a weak leader, that’s why we are in a weak position. It’s time for someone committed to defending the uk citizens rights to be in charge.

  96. John Probert
    April 11, 2019

    The conservative party needs to select a real Leader
    Passion and direction
    Someone who can be inclusive and lead a team
    The PM has none of these qualities and thinks leadership is all about
    persistance.
    The PM came to power with a majority, what a decision maker
    Were any of them correct

  97. Atlas
    April 11, 2019

    The conservative Party now has a window of opportunity to get a new leader – as Tusk said ‘the UK should use the extension time wisely’, so a new leader would be a useful outcome.

  98. Nicholas Murphy
    April 11, 2019

    And will good use be made of the delay? Here’s a suggestion. That HMG proposes to the EU that intensive talks commence immediately on completion of the Easter break, with the aim of progressing agreement on strands of the post-transition future partnership. Many strands could be completed within a month and the UK and EU could then sign a detailed MOU, or binding agreement effective at the end of transition, for each one. So, the end-state would become clear and toleration of the admittedly-flawed WA might lessen. Of course, the EU might well say ‘Non’ to the idea, in which case we have then will know everything we need to know about the likelihood of future success. Naturally, we will need a change of chief negotiator and the work will need close political supervision.

  99. What Tiler
    April 11, 2019

    So, you and the “honourable” members (members certainly) have created a crisis for democracy, and a situation which could hardly be worse for business, and now you’re all just buggering off on holiday???? It defies belief.

  100. hardlyEver
    April 11, 2019

    All in your opinion. Other people might think differently

  101. glen cullen
    April 11, 2019

    Is there any reason why we can’t leave Friday 11th April as scheduled, under WTO terms, than negotiate a free trade deal with the EU in our own timetable and without any strings

    1. Monza 71
      April 11, 2019

      Yes : there simply aren’t the votes in Parliament to vote it through.

      It’s time our host and his colleagues come round to realising that the Withdrawal Agreement is now our only safe way out

  102. LukeM
    April 11, 2019

    Just exactly as I said he has sent them packing.. that’s all Arlene sees is the ‘backstop’ she forgets that with Irish unification in ten years time or so the backstop will count for nothing.

  103. Dave
    April 11, 2019

    It’s not just those who voted Leave in 2016 who should feel aggrieved. 33million turned out to vote, the largest vote in the UK’s history.
    Every voter has been betrayed. The Government has ignored them all. Democracy counts for nothing in the totalitarian EU.
    In 1992 Denmark voted against Maastrict and was told to vote again. What price democracy?
    In 2001 Ireland voted against the Nice Teaty and was told to vote again. In 2008 they voted against the Lisbon Treaty and were told to vote again. What price democracy?
    In 2005 both The Netherlands and France voted against the EU Constitution. They were ignored. What price democracy.
    It’s reported that May and her team were told to sit outside like naughty schoolchildren outside the headmaster’s office while our country’s fate was debated.
    I fear that Orwell may be correct when he wrote ‘If you want a vision of the future, imagine a boot stamping on a human face – forever.’

  104. davies
    April 11, 2019

    That’s what it was designed to do given the weight of institutional pressure against the brexit side.

    A member of your party showed a note alleging the whips looking to dig up dirt of brexit supporting MPs, presumably to blackmail them into supporting the WA – shocking

    We need to replace this PM ASAP

  105. Martin R
    April 11, 2019

    What is the good of armed forces when the country can be hollowed out from within by a few autocratic EU fanatics bent on ensuring Great Britain can never regain the sovereignty it voted for in the greatest single vote in its long history? We might just as well have saved the money we spent on defence for all the good it has done us since June 2016. May and Hammond could have had a lot of fun flushing it down the toilet in their usual fashion.

  106. Chris
    April 11, 2019

    I read there is a petition going round for Cons Association members to sign to get a change in leadership election rules (10,000 signatures needed).

    I have also read that Brexiter MPs are going to hold back on their efforts to try to persuade May to resign until after the European elections as they apparently do not want any new leader to be “tainted” by the results. Fortune does not favour those who sit and wait. The policy of hanging on and supporting May has not so far served Brexiter MPs and the electorate and democracy, well. I fear no good will come of this approach.

  107. Vernon Wright
    April 11, 2019

    I’ve made a simple prediction often: that H. M. G. would eventually rescind the notice lodged under Art. 50. (Only the signatories to the treaty could ‘revoke’ it.) Rescission, however, is one of the rĂ©gime’s ‘red lines’, n’est-ce pas?

    Another red line is a second plebiscite.

    Now I make a new prediction: faced with having to choose which of those two red lines to erase, the Prime Minister will call another plebiscite.

    Here’s why. Opinion polls tell us that the electorate is even more emphatically in favour of leaving the Reich than three years ago; but I suspect Mrs. May knows as well as I that, rather than risk a repeat of the last two-and-a-half years, it will vote to remain.

    So … having secured a popular vote to remain, the Prime Minister will have the justification she’s sought all along to rescind the notice and to cancel Brexit.

    Simples! © Theresa the Meerkat

    ΠΞ

  108. Alan Joyce
    April 11, 2019

    Dear Mr. Redwood,

    Having watched the Prime Minister defend her latest Brexit extension, I must say that I was disappointed in both the quantity and quality of questioning that she received from Brexiteer backbenchers. Given the circumstances it was a very easy ride for her.

    Perhaps, it is more an indication of Brexiteers knowing exactly what mechanical answers they were likely to get from the PM rather than them being worn down by the whole process.

    I certainly hope so.

  109. Colin Hart
    April 11, 2019

    Fiddling while we should be burning the Treaty of Rome.

  110. NickC
    April 11, 2019

    JR, “Britain has made extensive and detailed preparations to leave the EU under WTO rules – the so called ‘No Deal’. But much of this is being kept secret and even held up by Downing Street in order to frighten MPs and the country into supporting the Prime Minister’s discredited ‘deal’.” Are you aware of this, as detailed by “Civil Servant” in the link below?

    https://briefingsforbrexit.com/number-10-has-the-brexit-key/

  111. Chris
    April 11, 2019

    I see that The Daily Tel reports that May is going to have a fourth vote on her deal after Easter. Heaven help us.

  112. Richard416
    April 11, 2019

    Let us hope that a means can be devised of changing this prime minister for a preferable one.

    1. Korry
      April 11, 2019

      We are in this sorry position because S Baker and J Rees Mogg rushed to hold a confidence vote last December when they did not have the numbers to win. Are they moles, are they subverting Brexit?

    2. Martin R
      April 11, 2019

      I assume you mean a preferable remainer. There isn’t a hope in hell that anyone other than a fanatical EU enthusiast would even be on the ballot. Or that there would be a ballot of grass roots members anyway. And that’s if the Maybot could be prised out when even that isn’t remotely on the cards.

  113. Alison
    April 11, 2019

    Thank you. The Withdrawal Agreement is the polar opposite of Brexit. And yet the Prime Minister persists in pushing it, as supposed fulfilment, and several Tory MPs ditto.

    I believe this fundamental fact needs to be stressed to the public.

    1. Chris
      April 11, 2019

      The trouble is that the Brady amendments are not much better, and yet I fear that some Tory MPs will try to resurrect it, from what they have said so far. The WA and PD should be binned. I thought David Davis had a Canada plus deal all ready. What on earth happened to that? Yes, May binned it, but,t if it was any good, it should have been put at the forefront of the fight by Brexiteers in recent weeks as the ready made workable alternative. Seems as though Davis couldn’t even fight for that. Not at all impressive, in my mind.

  114. James Bertram
    April 11, 2019

    For those who are thoroughly fed up with our politicians failure to act – get involved in direct action:
    For a start, have a look at this boycott EU products campaign (you could add ‘foreign travel’ to the boycott list):
    HIT THEM WHERE IT HURTS! STOP BUYING EU STUFF!
    #hitthemwhereithurts

    Also check out @actionbrexit

  115. Steve
    April 11, 2019

    Well she’s done it again, yet another delay.

    She has managed to seal the fate of the conservative party, and quite probably Labour too.

    I would say RIP Cons, but frankly they deserve a place on the floor of Dante’s hell for what they’ve done to this country.

    Corruption
    Bribery
    Bigotry
    Lies
    Cowardice
    Treason
    Self interest
    Sedition
    Political correctness
    Vassalage

    Ever vote tory again ? NOT A CHANCE !

    Besides as a political party they’re dead right now.

  116. TheyWontCrushBrexit
    April 11, 2019

    The facts4eu.org website gives the details of exactly what Theresa May signed up for last night!

    Absolutely shocking and disgusting!

    And no mention in the media.

  117. Shieldsman
    April 11, 2019

    The Conservative voter and the grass roots member are all sick of one track Theresa and her deal the WA.
    Very few people want it and I am sure a future leader does not want to be lumbered with it.
    May is past her use by date, so when are you going to get rid of her, The Country is crying out for her to go.

    1. Steve
      April 11, 2019

      Shieldsman

      Agree, except it won’t make much difference if May is thrown out even right now, the damage is done.

      She and her fellow remainers have made sure ‘no deal’ will not happen, so this country doesn’t have a strong hand.

      The only thing to be done now is to totally slaughter them out of existence at the ballot box.

  118. agricola
    April 11, 2019

    It appals me to realise how many MPs there are who lack the confidence to stand tall without the prop of the EU to support them. How did we acquire such a gutless bunch of lance corporals.

    I note from everything that the May said today that she intends to stagger on in her illusory world trying now to wear Labour down to support her in desperation where she failed with her own party. Prepare yourselves for another six months of going nowhere. How do we get such toxic figures as matchstick leaders. The electorate deserve better. She even managed a derisory smirk when Bill Cash suggested she resign.

  119. Fred H
    April 11, 2019

    I fear a shattering loss of seats for Tories, and big swings against. We just have to hope that Corbyn’s rose coloured lies will not hold sway, and UKIP rises from the ashes. Why? Well, I cannot see this spineless H of C doing anything other than allowing REMAIN to happen. Back to Farage and co I’m afraid.

    1. Steve
      April 11, 2019

      Fred H

      “I fear a shattering loss of seats for Tories”

      Oh I don’t fear it, Fred. In fact I’m looking forward to doing my bit to facilitate their demise.

      Voter Revenge !

      Unless of course the political class are so up themselves as to actually believe they can overturn a general election.

      1. APL
        April 12, 2019

        Steve: “.. to actually believe they can overturn a general election.”

        Referendum, general election, what difference does it make?

        An MP has his or her ÂŁ75,000 per year for five years and $40,000 bonus for being kicked out on his or her ear before five years.

        That’s a big chunk of what a normal mortal might earn in ten years.

        It’s about time there was some performance related pay introduced to Parliament.

      2. Fred H
        April 12, 2019

        my poor choice of words. Replace fear with predict. Probably balanced by ‘red’ Labour losing just as many. The swing results could be fascinating if not depressing.

  120. Roy Grainger
    April 11, 2019

    Sickening to see MPs cheering the fact they’re getting a holiday – absolutely useless the lot of them. I hope the Conservative MPs take the opportunity to do some door to door campaigning for the local elections, don’t see why it is only the volunteers who are being abused and shouted at.

    1. Chris
      April 11, 2019

      RG, it certainly did not look good. Different planet methinks.

    2. Steve
      April 11, 2019

      Roy Grainger

      MP’s won’t do doorstep canvassing, their safety cannot be guaranteed.

      In fact, I’d bet that at the next General Election they won’t even have the guts to show their faces at polling stations.

  121. Gary
    April 11, 2019

    What follows from the WA is an orderly transition period to a new FTA..what’s so bad about that? It won’t stop us making new deals with worldwide traders and we’ll have taken back control of our borders our money and our laws..so what’s wrong with all of that..I think it would be a good outcome if only we could get there

    1. Edward2
      April 12, 2019

      My reading of the WA is that it does not allow us to make any trade deals until years later after a free trade deal is finally negotiated.
      Ditto borders money laws.
      All still under EU control.

  122. Turboterrier
    April 11, 2019

    Sir John.
    Bouncing around the net is a video highlighting the impact on the Lisbon Treaty which in 2020 it would appear is going to have a big, catastrphic some might say on the sovereignty of these islands. Do these remainders just ignore the impact of TV his because they don’t understand it or because they choose to ignore it. Even more reason to get the hell out of the EU. Why is this treaty never spoken about?

    1. Korry
      April 12, 2019

      It is never spoken about because it does not exist. It is a total lie

  123. Hez
    April 11, 2019

    Rage doesn’t quite sum up how I feel about this. I am so glad you all got it sorted before your Hols though. Wouldn’t want any loose ends to get in the way of those. How proud you must all be.
    There have been fine words written and spoken about delivering the will of the people but none of you really want to do you or you would have stopped this travesty in its tracks. That overwhelming joy on the morning of the 24th, when it was obvious leaving would win has been trampled into the dirt, set fire to, spat on and finally buried in a deep dark hole where no-one can find it. This will never be forgotten or forgiven. What have you all done!

  124. Gareth Warren
    April 11, 2019

    Between brexit and the likely failure of the conservative party in any future election while under Theresa Mays leadership there is no option but to get rid of Theresa. Anything else would meet certain failure.

    I did see a MP say that three of his army friends had been contacted by tory whips looking for dirt, they were sent packing. But this shows the desperation of the May faction.

    |Some MPs will be in for a rude awakening if the EU elections take place, I hope you can take advantage of that dose of reality.

  125. kushal kumar
    April 12, 2019

    Brexit has been engaging attention world-wide , more so during the current year 2019 as it passed through a critical phase. Now , British PM Theresa May has been allowed more time up to 31 October 2019 with certain conditions which suggest that Britain will have to leave the EU , whether deal or no deal on that date. There is another crucial factor in between. Prime Minister May has been required to hold election on 23 May to return British members to a new European Parliament , failing which the implication would be that it would leave EU with no deal on June 1. In this context , readers may refresh this Vedic astrology writer’s predictive alerts of a month past for more care and appropriate strategy covering Britain also. The alert was that while mid-April to August in 2019 , making a period of four and a half months look to be of major worrisome , June 2019 needed more attention. So going by conditions set by the EU and the kind of political climate in the Britain , last week of May and June in present year 2019 appear to be of particular worrisome concern for May Govt.

  126. hefner
    April 12, 2019

    29 weeks to 31 October, 16 of holidays, oops sorry “recess”.
    Easter holidays 29/03-16/04
    May holidays 03/05-08/05
    Whitsun holidays 24/05-04/06
    Summer holidays 24/07-04/09
    Conference holidays 13/09-09/10.
    Next time one of these clowns talk of hard working families ask them whether they count themselves among these. And all that for ÂŁ75k annual plus the obvious little jobs on the side.
    (Thanks to Shaun O’Grady, the Independent).

    1. Edward2
      April 12, 2019

      The real work of an MP is his or her work in the constituency.
      My MP works hard on a large number of local issues and problems residents have, from an office open longer hours than our Doctors.

  127. rose
    April 12, 2019

    There are people in the MSM now making much of the ÂŁ4 billion allegedly spent on preparations for leaving without signing a new treaty. No-one challenges them with the ÂŁ1 billion a month delay is costing us – for nothing in return other than humiliation and our PM not even being allowed to dine at the banquets we are paying for.

  128. Sue Doughty
    April 12, 2019

    This whole Brexit fiasco is now such a mess that the UK can never remain in the EU. They could not possible think of allowing that to happen, they want the troublesome Anglosaxons out.
    When Cooper took leaving with No Deal off the table she also took Remain off the table.

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