The puppet Parliament becomes more pathetic

This Parliament is determined to thwart the will of the voters who decided to leave the EU. It is equally determined to show it does not want to take back control. MPs queue up in debates to tell us EU laws and rules are best, and try to find ways of extending or protecting them. They have no faith in our collective ability to choose wise and good laws for ourselves. They doubt Leave MPs when we assure them we will keep the good laws from the EU, as they will all be incorporated into UK law. What I want to change are some of the VAT laws that make us impose tax on green products and domestic fuel,the corporation tax decisions that cut the tax we imposed, the fishing laws and the others that have done economic damage to us.

The behaviour is worrying and bizarre. Why get yourself elected to a body designed to make laws and to influence government policy if you want our laws to be made across the Channel instead? Why draw a salary if you think you cannot improve on what the EU does?

Parliament usually wants the government to spend more on the favoured causes of MPs and some of their constituents. Yet when it comes to finding a big pot of money to spend at home by stopping sending large sums to the EU, most MPs flip over and tell us we must keep on sending as much money to Brussels as possible, even after we have left.

Many MPs have torn up their promises to their electors from 2017 when all Conservative and Labour candidates fought on a ticket of implementing the referendum. They have done so knowing they will alienate the Leave majority in the country, and will not impress the many Remain voters who want Brexit finished with and who accept the majority verdict. It is difficult to grasp why so many only want the votes of the minority who reject the verdict of the referendum who presumably voted Lib Dem in 2017.

247 Comments

  1. Pominoz
    April 14, 2019

    Sir John,

    I think many of us who read your diary find it so hard to understand why the WTO exit, so obviously the right choice for restoration of an independent sovereign nation, is rejected by so many MPs.

    To continue to pay ‘protection money’ to the Brussels ‘Mafia’, which is effectively what those MPs seem to want to do is absolute treachery. Any trading bloc which really works would have countries which wish to participate queueing out of the door. Nowhere else in the World do Nations who freely trade with each other, have to pay a levy in order to do so. Quite clearly the money extorted by the ‘Mafia’ is to ensure the continuation of their personal luxurious existence whilst they show their power by doling out ‘crumbs’ to a fewcountries which, in many cases is far less than they paid in.

    It is said that power corrupts – and absolute power corrupts absolutely. The Brussels ‘Mafia’ have absolute power. We should have nothing to do with them and hopefully you and your good colleagues can find a way to set us free.

    Enjoy your Easter break – if indeed you are actually having one.

    Reply No I am not “having a break”. I have a job to do as MP. I also cannot understand why 500 plus MPs want to remain under the rule of Brussels.

    1. Alan Jutson
      April 14, 2019

      Pominoz

      The problem with WTO terms is that it has been called a No Deal, which indicates nothing will be in place, and so nothing with regards to trade and co-operation has been agreed.

      The Leave Mp’s as a collective, like it or not, have not managed to outline clearly to the media or to their fellow Mp’s the advantages of WTO terms and how it works.

      John I know you have, and you have explained it very clearly on this site for years, but others have either made no effort, or have confused the issue with poor statements, and even poorer explanations.

      You all now have some time to address that situation, call it managed WTO terms if you like, but it must not be called No Deal !.

      1. JoolsB
        April 14, 2019

        It’s so annoying when the media, BBC and Sky News in particular, insist on referring to leaving on WTO terms as crashing out or falling over a cliff edge. Typical remainer scaremongering. So much for impartiality!!!

        Although late in the day, I have noticed leave MPs now referring to it as leaving on WTO terms unlike useless May and the cabinet who have done absolutely nothing to defend the scaremongering of leaving on WTO terms. No doubt they are encouraging it.

        1. Hope
          April 14, 2019

          JR, the situation is grim. They have fought to thwart Democracy. When consent to govern is abandoned by MPs they should accept the consequences. Bleating about being called names which are factually correct. Letwin made the point in parliament and acted in stark contrast to what he said. The govt is acting through its back benchers like Letwin.

          Tory associations need to withdraw all support now. May has ignored the national motion to leave without a deal and no extension. She failed to leave by 29th March, delayed to 12 April, then 22 May now October. The pattern is clear. May wants to imprison our country to the EU by her servitude plan or remain. Her choice, not forced by anyone or body. Her choice.

          I would understand and invisage the public anger ( get worse ed), that is what happens when democracy is denied through the ballot box. May knew what she was and is doing. It must be stopped for the sake of our country by whatever means. Therefore you leavers need to oust her by whatever means to prevent violence taking place. Make it clear.

          Corbyn cannot be used as a threat when May is in coalition with him! Your party is toast whatever happens, act on behalf of the country not party. I would like to see the DUP withdraw support.

          General election now if you cannot rid the country of May and Hammond.

          1. Hope
            April 14, 2019

            Norman Tebbit, Conservative Woman, John Curtis anlaust of polling and others make it clear today get rid of May or your party is done and the…….(labour ed) party is in office.

            May could have fulfilled the law and her repeated promises to leave the EU on 29/03/2019. She chose not to. May could have advised the Queen the private bill by Letwin and Cooper was contrary to constitutional norms and she should not consent to the bill. May chose to let the Lords include her amendments and have the Queen approve it! Coincidence, I think not.

            May, Hammond, Gove, Rudd, Clarke, Gauke and Liddington will happily sign up to Corbyn’s terms, but publicly declare they had no choice and wanted to fulfil the referndum- a lie but to convince the illinformed.

            May will skew ensure Remain indicative votes favours remain. She has sent you off without a voice over her extension, to be subdued and accept her servitude plan in worse terms with Labour so that EU elections will not take place. It matters not the damage is done to your party.

            Javid should have resigned when the Treasury stopped his plans which found an alternative to the Irish backstop. He would have known Davis already had this in mind when May was breaking the constitution to have her servitude o,an written behind his department’s back. Not by another minister required by the constitution and seal of the Queen but by civil servants promoting a dishonest KitKat policy to hide costs and ties to the EU.

            Your,choice is clear get rid of May and deliver a clean Brexit on WTO terms like the British public voted for. This is not going away despite the passage of time to change our minds by Traitor May and her traitor civil serpents.

      2. Denis Cooper
        April 14, 2019

        That is one problem, and a serious one. Equally serious is the misinformation from the government, especially of course the Treasury, about the magnitude, and even the sign, of the economic impact of EU membership.

        1. Denis Cooper
          April 14, 2019

          An interesting House of Commons Library Research Briefing from September 2013 may be found by googling for:

          “The economic impact of EU membership on the UK”

          On page 5 there is a chart headed:

          “Selected estimates of the net benefits to the UK of EU membership”

          which range from – 5% of GDP to + 6% of GDP.

          Of course George Osborne and now Philip Hammond have made quite sure that “the government’s own figures” which opponents of Brexit can routinely pray in aid assume net benefits which go even beyond the upper limit of that range.

          1. Hope
            April 14, 2019

            Dennis, correct as you are this is not about economics and never has been. Economics is always used a scare.

            The public has become tone deaf to the lies by the Treasury, BoE, ONS, May, Hammond and all the other public sector scare bodies. A huge sum of money could be saved by getting rid of them.

          2. Denis Cooper
            April 14, 2019

            But it has always been made out to be about economics because it cannot be openly presented as the primarily political project that it is. And I don’t agree with the suggestion that the public has come to disbelieve the economic scare stories; if they had then there would not still be the present almost even balance of opinion about the wisdom of Brexit.

      3. Caterpillar
        April 14, 2019

        Alan Jutson,

        I think the other two troubles with marketing ‘no deal’ are 1) A lack of openness about Govt preparation undertaken and a refusal to continue with it. This does not signal to businesses to prepare. It looks like an afterthought / emergency at best. 2) Intentionally showing Parliament and the UK civil servants to be less competent than EU counterparts.

      4. Narrow Shoulders
        April 14, 2019

        We need the speaker to allow full details of a proposed free trade agreement to be negotiated while we are under WTO rules having left as an amendment or option for leaving when these things are debated.

        All the options that are allowed to be voted on are either some form of staying in or “leaving without a deal” there is no “this is how it can operate as a third country” option.

        Deliberate?

      5. Ian wragg
        April 14, 2019

        As WTO is termed No Deal then the WA should be correctly named the Berlin Deal.
        Let’s see how much support it gets then.
        Todays Telegraph says you are down to the Major polling and likely to lose 65 seats in a snap GE. Corbyn will no doubt table a no confidence vote and the DUP will abstain thus bringing down the government.
        I think 65 is a gross underestimate as nearly all my friends and family have paid their ÂŁ25 to Nigel. RIP Tory Party.

        1. Hope
          April 14, 2019

          Ian,

          I think Brexit party is going viral.

          All rural Tories near me will not be voting in local elections unless an independent is on the paper. They are all livid how the local Tory leaflet claims to keep community charge down! 5 percent last year, 4.9 percent this year! The elderly are livid.

          We read the criminal Labour MP who won the vote for traitors Letwin and Cooper is to be prosecuted again. This is the calibre of our MPs. It is a swamp. A criminal wearing a leg tag alowed to vote on the most important issue in recent history!

    2. eeyore
      April 14, 2019

      A Continental politician would not be perplexed by the strangeness of Parliament’s attitude to ND. In the EU political corruption is “endemic” (its own word) and costs an estimated €120bn a year (its own figure, and doubtless a very low one).

      He would simply assume our MPs had been bribed. What would really perplex him is that the thought never crosses our minds.

    3. oldtimer
      April 14, 2019

      To borrow a phrase, this parliament is unfit for purpose. Nothing will change until its membership changes. That will happen if or when the electorate decides to inflict electoral annihilation on those who continue to frustrate the referendum result.

      1. Steve
        April 14, 2019

        oldtimer

        “…if or when the electorate decides to inflict electoral annihilation on those who continue to frustrate the referendum result.”

        Already been decided sir. We’re going to wipe them off the political map.

        It was widely acknowleged immediately after the WA came to light that Parliament would simply play the extension game, in the hope that the country would soften up and accept revocation without too much of a fight.

        What they dare not do is attempt to frustrate the result of a general election, unless they want civil war.

        However we always said that if they dared to water down, or even reverse what we voted for, then there would be merciless revenge at general election, unlike anything ever seen and we mean it.

        The Conservatives will not exist following the next general election.

        They’ve successfully stopped us leaving the EU, Revenge is what matters now, and we’ll get the buggers out.

        The amusing thing is; they can’t see it it coming.

    4. hans christian ivers
      April 14, 2019

      Pominoz,

      Interesting perspectives with very value added words, Mafia , treachery ,corruption, protection money independent sovereign nation.

      All a bit too much and then I can only ask why the populations of Europe are supporting the Eu much more now then they did before Brexit (Denmark from 50 to 70%).

      The GDP of Slovenia has increased by 40% since 2000. There is no longer such a thing as an independent sovereign nation in our interdependent world, that is history.

      So not a very good description of the EU all together.

      1. Edward2
        April 14, 2019

        First hans you ignore the steady rise of anti EU parties in Europe.

        Second you are confusing the very real difference between independent nations co operating freely together for mutual advantage and the supranational law making body that is the EU.

        1. hans christian ivers
          April 14, 2019

          Edward2

          that assumes that the EU countries are not operating to mutual advantage which they are as well, so that is not a valid argument, a sovereign independent nation is still an illusion to day as we need treaties on everything to operate today

          1. rose
            April 14, 2019

            Look how well we get on with the French a deux. All is sweetness and light. Everything works. The moment we get into that Council of Ministers we are at loggerheads. Because of the protection racket. They want to run a protectionist Napoleonic empire and we just want free trade and friendship.

          2. Edward2
            April 14, 2019

            In your opinion hans but not mine.

            Did Japan and Canada agree to open borders pay tens of billions a year to the EU and agree to accept any laws the EU passes to trade with the EU?

          3. NickC
            April 15, 2019

            Hans, For whatever reason, you continue to confuse ordinary international treaties with the EU treaties. They are not the same.

            A treaty between the UK and Russia on dual taxation, for example, is limited to precisely what is in the treaty. Such a treaty gives no right whatsoever for Russia to make new legislation to impose on the UK.

            In contrast, the EU treaties specifically provide for innovative legislation to be made in Brussels, and then imposed on the UK.

          4. Edward2
            April 15, 2019

            Hans knows that NickC.
            He just loves the EU and its future, The United States of Europe.

          5. margaret howard
            April 16, 2019

            NickC

            To compare the two is just ridiculous.

            In 1973 we joined the European Union and became a partner of it. We have reaped all the benefits since and helped shape it to become the world’s largest, wealthiest, most successful trading bloc. Membership requires all parties to co ordinate and make sacrifices for the common good.

            To compare that to an imaginary single issue treaty with another country is scraping the barrel even for fervent brexiteers.

      2. graham1946
        April 14, 2019

        Why? Perfectly simple. 19 of the EU countries added together have a smaller economy than the UK. Most in the EU are takers whilst a few are the paymasters.
        Secondly, most of Europe has been under the yoke of dictators within the last 100 years and are frighted it could happen again. It could. The right is on the march again. Our history is different in that we have been sovereign for 1000 years except for a small period of civil war 500 years ago.

        1. hans christian ivers
          April 14, 2019

          Graham1946

          There a lots of nations in the EU which have been sovereign for 100 years as well, so let us not get in to distorting history for political purposes.

          1. graham1946
            April 14, 2019

            There are 27 all told plus the UK. Take out all those subjugated by Germany in the 1930’s and 40’s Spain, Italy, etc. Ah Yes, lots of them. All told not making a hill of beans.

          2. Andy
            April 14, 2019

            And every single one (Except Sweden and Ireland) of them saw that Sovereignty destroyed either by German Imperialism, Soviet Imperialism or by Dictatorship. Nearly all of them were defeated and occupied, so while you take your usual sniffy attitude towards the United Kingdom were it not for the UK for the blood and treasure she so freely squandered that would be the situation today. What is worth asking is why is it the Continental Europeans have such a propensity to creating tyranny and oppression, and how do we know that the EU will not morph into such a system ?

      3. Plantman
        April 14, 2019

        The answer is very simple and one we should have learned a thousand years ago – Once you have payed him the Danegeld yo never get rid of the Dane.
        Whilst not being the only milch cow we are one of the big ones!

        1. hans christian ivers
          April 15, 2019

          Plantman

          You need to read up on your history

      4. libertarian
        April 14, 2019

        hans

        That is the most laughable post you’ve made and you’ve made some real korkers. It has obviously escaped you attention that

        22 consecutive weekends there has been anti government riots in France

        In Holland, Sweden, Germany and Italy the anti EU parties have made enormous gains in polls and local elections

        There are more than 160 independent sovereign nations in the world and just 27 who are currently under the heel of an unelected empire.

        Time to retire old boy, you’ve lost the plot and quite frankly anyone employing you as a consultant needs their head tested as your powers of analysis are dreadfully woeful

        As to Slovenia

        The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Slovenia was worth 48.77 billion US dollars in 2017. The GDP value of Slovenia represents 0.08 percent of the world economy. GDP in Slovenia averaged 32.75 USD Billion from 1990 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 55.59 USD Billion in 2008, so since 2008 the GDP of Slovenia has fallen by about 12%

        1. hans christian ivers
          April 14, 2019

          Libertarian,

          Back in good old form, but still too small to avoid the chap personal attacks.

          Let me remind you of your own analysis
          1) Merkel will leave shortly (said for the past three years.)
          2) No, UK business are not building up stocks for Brexit (said six months ago)
          .
          3) The one’s I feel most sorry about are the LSE business students, who have no choice

        2. hans christian ivers
          April 14, 2019

          Libertarian,

          The figure that I quoted was from 2000 and GDP in Slovenia has increased by 46%, so if you wish to use 2008, that is of course your right.

          1. Andy
            April 14, 2019

            Libertarian is right.

            Anti-EU parties have made gains across the EU. France, Sweden, Germany, Holland.

            But these anti-EU parties are still in the small minority in all of these countries.

            The AfD got 12% in the last German federal elections. Liberatarian is not interested in the other 88% of German voters.

      5. sm
        April 14, 2019

        Come come, Hans, obviously pro-EU Europeans don’t understand how the EU works, have been fed lies and misinformation, are old, selfish and ignorant, and believe in unicorns (have I forgotten anything….?).

        1. hans christian ivers
          April 14, 2019

          sm

          Yes , falling for your own propaganda

      6. Steve
        April 14, 2019

        HCI

        There will always be an England.

        1. margaret howard
          April 16, 2019

          Steve

          “There will always be an England”

          Which one is that? The one you eulogised in one of your “when I were a lad” diatribes sounding like somebody’s grandfather?

          By the way by only mentioning ‘England’ are you preparing for the day when Scotland and Ireland leave the union and we will live in a rump England with about as much influence in the world as Liechtenstein?

    5. Leslie Singleton
      April 14, 2019

      Dear Sir John–For those who fancy morphing in to a single country called Europe, all mixed up with do-gooder, brotherhood of man stuff, it’s no different from say Lancashire being under the power of London. To them, ignoring the Referendum is a small price to pay.

      1. Denis Cooper
        April 14, 2019

        Correct.

        However while the eurofederalists are a very noisy minority in the UK they are a small minority, maybe around 10% of voters at most.

        Going back some years now:

        http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2012/12/22/what-should-be-in-mr-camerons-eu-speech/#comment-150629

        “I wonder whether it is really necessary to hold a so-called “mandate referendum”, when opinion polls show that British voters are overwhelmingly opposed to further EU integration and yet at the same time the UK is solemnly committed to further EU integration through the present EU treaties.

        It’s not a case of opinion polls showing that we’re fairly evenly divided on whether we want further EU integration, something like a 50:50 split for and against which properly needs to be tested through an official poll, it’s more like a 90:10 split against the further integration mandated by the present EU treaties.”

    6. Brian Tomkinson
      April 14, 2019

      Reply to reply
      The calibre of MPs is the lowest I can remember. Most of them are happy to be highly paid social workers taking their instructions from Brussels and Berlin.

    7. William1995
      April 14, 2019

      The arguments remainers use against the idea of us coming up with our own laws remind me of the old religious argument; that without the morals set in eg the Bible, we would be an abhorrent lawless society. Humans seem to have a dogmatic tendency to want to be ruled by laws which have ultimate authority and limited democratic malleability.

      All I can offer to consolidate others who despair at this kind of dogma is to spend a few quiet moments on YouTube watching the likes of Christopher Hitchens and Sam Harris take on such absurd arguments. The 5 minute Matt Dillahunty – Jordan Peterson interview on this topic is particularly interesting!

      1. graham1946
        April 14, 2019

        That is the basis of religion. It is how the ‘elite’ have kept the poor and downtrodden under since time began, with the promise that if they pay money, worship some unprovable entity, do as they are told and don’t cause trouble., they will have a place in ‘heaven’. Bishops live in palaces whilst those who are willing, cut the grass in the church yard free of charge. The Church of England has 8 billion pounds of investments, yet ask their adherents to pay to fix the church roof.

        1. Steve
          April 14, 2019

          Graham 1946

          “That is the basis of religion. It is how the ‘elite’ have kept the poor and downtrodden under since time began”

          V.true graham. Nowadays they don’t use religion to control us, instead they use debt to keep us in our place.

      2. Tad Davison
        April 14, 2019

        I concur, and the Margaret Howard’s of this world would greatly benefit from that education. I suspect though, that they are completely devoid of a sense of reason so besotted are they with all-things EU, and would thus be totally impervious to any logical argument.

      3. Andy
        April 14, 2019

        Which laws can we not make for ourselves that you think we need to make for ourselves?

        Reply Tax laws, fishing laws, farming laws, environmental laws etc

        1. Steve
          April 14, 2019

          Andy

          Also consumable items such as useless paint etc – xylene taken out by the EU.
          Shoe polish that doesn’t give a shine – naphtha taken out by the EU.

          And the list goes on. EU law causes nothing but gross imbuggerence at every turn to consumers in this country.

        2. Andy
          April 14, 2019

          I’m asking for specifics. Specifically which laws will you change after Brexit which you can not change now? And what will you change them to? This should not be hard to answer – but Brexiteers always struggle with it.

          Voters will expect you to be able to answer this so why not try?

          1. Edward2
            April 15, 2019

            Do Ăœou have a poor memory andy?
            You keep getting replies to your regular challenges on this subject.

          2. NickC
            April 15, 2019

            Andy, JR just told you . . . .

      4. Ed Mahony
        April 14, 2019

        @Graham,

        ‘The arguments remainers use against the idea of us coming up with our own laws remind me of the old religious argument; that without the morals set in eg the Bible, we would be an abhorrent lawless society’

        – Arghhh. Traditional Christianity supports Sovereignty and so supports – in principle – Brexit (there is quite a bit of formal theology on this such by theologians such as St Thomas Aquinas).

        I say in principle because Christianity also says that good things can only be introduced by good means. Bad means do not justify good intentions (But whether Brexit has been introduced in a good or bad way is another argument).

        Rather, I’d argue, the EU is a secular, atheistic, Utopian concept.

        (However, Traditional Christianity would certainly support strong relations with Europe – for example in terms of trade, security and culture – but that is NOT the same as being part of a Single Market and Customs Union).

        1. Ed Mahony
          April 14, 2019

          ‘Rather, I’d argue, the EU is a secular, atheistic, Utopian concept.’

          – And/or originates from heretical Christianity certainly not from traditional / heterodox Christianity which supports – in principle – Sovereignty of a Nation. This is absolutely clear. No argument. I know my theology here (the basics of not the details of on this).

        2. graham1946
          April 15, 2019

          I was talking about religion in general which was invented for the purpose I suggested. Christianity is one of the more liberal concepts and does less damage than many others but is only 2000 years old. The fact that there are so many religions all claiming to be ‘the one’ must surely show that they are all wrong and there is no such thing. Did God make man or did man make God? I leave that to you, but I know which side I prefer. To claim divine support for a political idea is just wrong. Many will argue the reverse. You seem blinded by Christianity and fail to see the evils done in the world in the name of ‘religion’.

          1. Ed Mahony
            April 15, 2019

            The beauty and history of Notre Dame symbolises so much what is profoundly great about traditional Christianity, and the Cathedral where Joan of Arc was beatified / made a saint – Joan of Arc who is such a great symbol for what it means to be patriotic.

            From where in man does such beauty come from to build such a thing?
            From where in man does such intelligence come from to build such a thing?
            From where in Joan of Arc did all that super human courage come from?

          2. Ed Mahony
            April 16, 2019

            @To claim divine support for a political idea is just wrong.

            – I did not claim divine support for Brexit overall but for the goal of Sovereignty.

            As i said how you try and achieve your goal can completely alter whether the whole project about what you want to achieve is legitimate or not (the means do not justify the ends).

          3. graham1946
            April 16, 2019

            If Notre Dame was God’s idea, why did he burn it down?

          4. Ed Mahony
            April 16, 2019

            ‘If Notre Dame was God’s idea, why did he burn it down?’

            – Why did God allow Himself to die on a cross?

            The real point isn’t destruction and death – but The Resurrection of Life. This is what we celebrate at Easter – the central event in the Church’s calendar.

            (And the Beauty and Power of Notre Dame is more reminiscent of The Beauty and Power of The Transfiguration – important as The Transfiguration is, it only foreshadows The Passion and Crucifixion and ultimately The Resurrection).

            (And the Notre Dame will be resurrected – literally in this world, but also glorified in the next, in some shape or form – along with all creation that is at one with God, whether that be people, nature or architecture – and no good work that man has done on this earth will be forgotten / overlooked).

    8. acorn
      April 14, 2019

      The WTO has no rules/powers “for restoration of an independent sovereign nation”.

      The WTO rules offer nothing at all tangible as a “backstop” for a no-deal Brexit.

      If the EU, by its own rules, makes the UK a third country with no preferential agreements, the WTO has no powers to change that status, MFN would apply.

      The WTO has no rules that can affect Brexit issues like certification for pilots, licensing for truck drivers, transfer of citizens’ data and foreign presence for banks.

      The WTO has no powers over technical regulations including food safety, WTO rules require only that member countries consult on recognising equivalence of import regulations.

      The WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement does not stop the EU treating the UK as a third country at its borders; or, prevent the UK losing all its privileges as an EU member overnight.

      The EU27’s published “contingency action plan”, is the only no-deal impact softener available and is compatible with WTO rules.

      Reply Try reading the Facilitation of Trade Agreement and the details of WTO trading rules. The WTO does provide a good system for managing world trade includng all our current trade with non EU countries

      1. acorn
        April 14, 2019

        We did better than that, my number crunching group actually knows some WTO guys.

      2. NickC
        April 15, 2019

        Acorn, Our exports to the EU amount to just over 12% of UK GDP. Being treated as a “third nation” by the EU is exactly what we want. The less we are enmeshed with the EU the better. So the WTO framework for all our exports is fine.

    9. Fuddy Duddy
      April 14, 2019

      Reply to reply – ‘…I also cannot understand why 500 plus MPs want to remain under the rule of Brussels’.

      Why don’t you ask them and let us know?

  2. Dame Rita Webb
    April 14, 2019

    A simple cure for your sadness, stop turning up to vote for the government. How long can she remain PM if she cannot get any business through?

    Reply She is not trying to get any business through apart from the Withdrawal Agreement which I voted against, and numerous Statutory Instruments needed to leave the EU which I support.

    1. Richard
      April 14, 2019

      Andrew Lilico: “May could not have made the Conservative brand any more toxic if that had been specifically what she had set out to do.”

      A petition for Conservative Party members: https://www.petitions.net/reduce_the_12_month_minimum_between_2_votes_of_no_confidence_in_tory_leader_to_3_months

  3. eeyore
    April 14, 2019

    A Parliament as useless as this is best knocked on the head. It has disobeyed its masters, broken its word and trashed the national interest.

    Mrs May has already set an example of working with Labour. Don’t Leave MPs have a public duty to do the same and support a confidence vote? And wouldn’t the threat of that concentrate the minds of Tory MPs like nothing else?

    Reply Only the Leader of the Opposition can table an effective confidence vote that would be immediately debated and voted on, and he is not going to do that all the time he is in discussion over forming a grand coalition to get the Withdrawal Agreement through.

    1. Peter Wood
      April 14, 2019

      Sir John,

      I disagree with your reply that Corbyn would not table a vote of confidence in the government while in discussions. Corbyn is a Eurosceptic and doesn’t want to involve himself in this problem. IF enough of you disgruntled Tories offered support for a no confidence he’d jump at it. He thinks he’s got a chance to win. The problem lies with the PCP, you’d (not your good-self and other true Brexiteers) be almost wiped out at a GE, for good reason.
      Field enough true Brexiteers in a GE and you’d win a majority.

      1. graham1946
        April 14, 2019

        The problem with that is that Corbyn would be in number 10 within weeks and with Starmer and co pulling his strings we would not get Brexit. Corbyn may be a closet Leaver, but his party are not. Nor are the Tories. They would not field a majority of Leavers. They won’t even have a Leave majority in Cabinet.

        1. Peter Wood
          April 14, 2019

          Yes you are quite right to point out the risks, which are great. Do we know who to replace, will the local conservative associations find acceptable Brexiteers to nominate instead of Remainers, etc. My problem is that the CURRENT members of the PCP will not remove the PM, which in my opinion makes them less than useless. How do we rid ourselves of the PM quickly?

          1. James Bertram
            April 14, 2019

            Peter,

            2 ways to bring about a new confidence vote in the PM being considered are:

            a petition of 10,000 conservative members to change the constitution to allow it;

            the 1922 committee, on a vote, just doing it. See ‘If Tory MPs wish to change the 1922 committee no confidence vote rules there is nothing standing in their way
            MICHAEL SPICER AND ARCHIE HAMILTON. last night on telegraph.co.uk

            As someone previously said ‘There must be something useful lurking in the Tory’s museum of dark arts.’

            They just need to GET ON WITH IT.

      2. Tad Davison
        April 14, 2019

        In a General Election scenario, solid Brexiteers (not those like Letwin who once paid lip-service to the cause when he thought it was expedient to do so, then ratted on it) should mark themselves out against the rest. Personally, I’d insist that remainers had their allegiance to the EU tattoed on their foreheads, but a prominent noticeable place on their election material might do as a substitute.

        1. Anonymous
          April 14, 2019

          As always should have been. Proud to wear an EU badge while knocking on doors. If not proud to do so then why not.

        2. John Archer
          April 15, 2019

          I’d rather the tattoo be a small wooden plaque.

          Attached with six-inch nails.

      3. James Bertram
        April 14, 2019

        Sir John,

        I understood that ‘The UK will exit the EU automatically if it fails to hold elections to the EU Parliament’.

        This seems a good opportunity to contrive ‘failure’.
        What happens if the Government loses a Vote of No confidence, or a General Election is called this April / May? In these circumstances do we have a functioning government during our election period that can legitimately hold the European Elections?

        If not, then it is a matter of getting your timing right to ‘fail’?

        Always hopeful here.

        Reply Mr Corbyn does not say he is about to table a No Confidence vote. The Euro elections have been approved and are going ahead unless we leave the EU soon.

  4. Mark B
    April 14, 2019

    Good morning.

    Bizzare indeed. But only if you enter politics in order to represent and serve those in your constituency. Most I am afraid are just now a bunch of Rent-Seekers who believe that they cannot be touched for another 3 years.

    This whole charade has blown the lid on Parliament and, too a much lesser extent, Whitehall. After this, people are going to want real constitutional change and not some sticking plaster over our managed democracy.

    1. Al
      April 14, 2019

      “This whole charade has blown the lid on Parliament and, too a much lesser extent, Whitehall.” – Mark

      I suspect that what will really blow the lid is if the Brexit parties look like doing too well, and miraculously days before the EU elections, Corbyn and May push her soft deal through and the vote doesn’t happen.

      A short term fix for them, but removing a release valve from a pressure cooker so it keeps simmering longer isn’t a good idea.

      1. JoolsB
        April 14, 2019

        Yes the Tories especially are falling over themselves trying to avoid the EU elections because they know they will be annihilated. The only saving grace is Corbyn is ahead in the polls at the moment so won’t want to associate himself with any deal. Therefore the EU elections will take place and hopefully the Brexit party will wipe the smug smiles of both their faces.

    2. Mark B
      April 14, 2019

      Sir John

      I came across this YouTube comedy vid. I know you neither like links to external sites and such and I am not asking you to put it up, although it would be good if you did, as it make you and everyone laugh 🙂

      It is BREXIT related and I hope you enjoy it.

      Mark B

  5. Lifelogic
    April 14, 2019

    Indeed. The Conservatives now polling as badly as John Major did after his entirely predictable ERM fiasco (and this is against a dire Corbyn led Labour Party not a rather, less unattractive, Blairite one). So many MPs clearly have complete and utter contempt for the people who elected them on their ‘we will respect the referendum result’ manifestos (as 85% of them were).

    Why indeed do they want to be in parliament just to take orders from unelected Brussels bureaucrats?

    May again the other day in parliament Claiming that the Conservatives are cutting taxes! We certainly not overall dear. Is she lying or just total ignorant of the real position? We are heading for the highest taxes for 70 years and the most complex and idiotically damaging tax laws ever in the UK thanks to Hammond and May.

    The EU clearly also trying to get central control of taxation and energy policy by getting rid of the unanimity rule that has blocked them so far. What would be the point of parliament then?

    Why on earth did 200 Tory MP vote to retain this appalling Woman as leader? But then John Major won his too (when it was clear he was a disaster) and he duly buried the party for very many years. The party has not won a comfortable Majority since he did so. The only small majority came when Cameron promised the referendum. May having now dishonestly cheated the electorate on that has no chance.

    1. Lifelogic
      April 14, 2019

      Cameron’s small majority only came about as the UKIP vote collapsed due to Cameron’s referendum promise. UKIP and the Brexit party together will surely get more votes than Labour, and Labour more than the Conservatives at this rate. Well done May and Hammond!

      1. Gary C
        April 14, 2019

        “UKIP and the Brexit party together will surely get more votes than Labour, and Labour more than the Conservatives at this rate. Well done May and Hammond!”

        Agreed . . . . . . . . . . . The Conservative Party have done an incredible job of self destruction.

        1. Timaction
          April 14, 2019

          Indeed. The majority in Westmonster haven’t caught up with the internet and social media where most sensable people triangulate their news. We all know the treachery of the legacies who have had their day. Analogue MPs in a digital age!

    2. William1995
      April 14, 2019

      Yes it is astonishing so many Conservative MPs voted to support TM. It was clear where this whole thing was going in December. That is why if the rules were changed and there were another vote tomorrow, I am not so sure TM would lose. After all, not much has changed since December, and May the Delayer is an excellent ally of Remainers in parliament who do not want to see Brexit through.

      1. Denis Cooper
        April 14, 2019

        Misplaced loyalty.

    3. javelin
      April 14, 2019

      Oh dear … when will reality/panic set in.

      “The sage of electoral history, David Cowling, tells me that the Conservatives have never scored as badly as 17% in any UK-wide election from 1832 onwards. No wonder the Tories are desperate to avoid these elections.” – Guardian

      “Why I’m taking the 12/1 on the Tories polling under 10% in the European election” – politicalbetting . com

      1. Tad Davison
        April 14, 2019

        The Telegraph says, the Tories are on course to lose 60 seats and hand the keys of Number 10 to Corbyn and cite the walking disaster area, Theresa May, as the reason. Yet I haven’t heard much support for the Labour leader either. Let’s hope the insurgent parties can mop up the votes of disaffected people who are thoroughly disillusioned and sick to death with say one thing, do another politicians.

    4. Henry Carter
      April 14, 2019

      Lifelogic, no one takes orders from unelected Brussels bureaucrats. All EU rules are made by elected people – in the Council and in the European Parliament. The Commisison – which is not elected – simply carries out the products of democracy

      1. NickC
        April 14, 2019

        Henry Carter, That is the sheerest ignorance, or a lie. The EU Commission are the only body empowered to formulate and write new EU laws. However even on your own premise, the UK electorate have no say in the election of the vast majority of the Council or the Europarl – we cannot change the EU government, but we can change the UK government.

      2. Edward2
        April 14, 2019

        Come off it Henry.
        Only the MEPs are elected.
        All the rest are appointed.

        1. Lifelogic
          April 14, 2019

          Indeed and if the UK elected entirely UKIP or Brexit MEPs they would still be powerless.

  6. Lifelogic
    April 14, 2019

    How can party rules be changed to remove May (or by some other route) before she completely destroys the party and gives us Corbyn?

    Reply The Board controls the rules

    1. Ian wragg
      April 14, 2019

      Then you should remove yourself from the whip and bring down the government.

    2. Al
      April 14, 2019

      According to the telegraph, a petition of 10,000 tory members could allow a new confidence vote by changing party rules. Given how many are now voting outside the party because of her, that number won’t be hard to get.

      I do suggest the MPs get on with arranging it, as if Hammond’s boast they are pushing soft Brexit through in weeks is correct, electoral oblivion is a likely assessment of the next election.

      1. NickC
        April 14, 2019

        Al, I suspect that a substantial minority, possibly a majority, of Tory MPs do not care that they are destroying the Tory party, and UK democracy with it. They are totally besotted by the EU. It is almost a substitute religion for them. They appear to believe the EU is responsible for the majority of UK GDP rather than only c12% of it. And they think that the economy is the only principle involved. How many will get jobs in the EU when they succeed in enslaving us permanently to the EU?

        1. Al
          April 15, 2019

          “Al, I suspect that a substantial minority, possibly a majority, of Tory MPs do not care that they are destroying the Tory party, and UK democracy with it.”

          True, but they don’t need a majority of MPs to create the petition, just one organiser. With people like Sir Bill Cash (and our host) still willing to stand up for the 2017 manifesto, there are some Conservative MPs at least who stay true to what they promised the electorate.

  7. Alan Jutson
    April 14, 2019

    Agree with your post absolutely John.

    Why put yourself up to be a member of Parliament, if you do not want to govern your own Country, if elected to do so.

    Seems to me that far too many Mp’s are in politics for the wrong reasons, they simply want to talk about problems, but not fix them, few seem to have any reasonable vision/common-sense.
    Corbyn has spent his whole life protesting, and is no more than an ancient student who simply protests against everything, assuming if you throw enough money at a problem it will be resolved.

    As I have posted before Liam Fox had to write to Mp’s to outline to them how the Customs Union works in practice, perhaps he also should write to them to explain the Single Market and perhaps the Workings of the World Trade Organisation.

    Many Mp’s seem to bleet on and ramble when interviewed, but it is clear from their comments they are just ignorant of the real facts of how they work, likewise most interviewers.

  8. Everhopeful
    April 14, 2019

    Several contributors have previously longed for a “White Knight” to rescue us all.
    Lovely Lord Tebbit is today writing in very much the manner of one.
    Utter music to the ears!!
    Probably too late but who knows?

    1. Lifelogic
      April 14, 2019

      Could he be cloned perhaps? Tebbit is such a contrast to Cameron’s choice of Baroness Warsi as Tory Chairman. She now attacks the Conservative Party at very turn.

    2. Steve
      April 14, 2019

      Everhopeful

      His Lordship the highly esteemed and honourable Lord Tebbit is a decent man and a patriot, I’d like to see someone like him running the country.

      Then we wouldn’t feel obliged to annihilate the Conservatives at the next GE.

      1. JoolsB
        April 14, 2019

        Mrs. T. God bless her and Lord Tebbit were the dream team – real Conservatives who knew how to win elections unlike the Liberal lefties we have now who haven’t got a clue about life outside the Westminster bubble. May is detested by Tory voters and local Tory associations alike and she is either so dim she hasn’t got a clue or she is hardfaced and doesn’t give a sh—t . Either way a huge vote loser.

  9. Edwardm
    April 14, 2019

    Precisely. It is so bizarre.
    The headlines today are that the Conservative party would lose an election to Corbyn.
    Conservative electors can see through the sham WA, but not so those inadequate Conservative MPs who have supported Mrs May. The ERG pointed out many problems, yet most Conservative MPs still voted for this WA surrender treaty with no unilateral get-out clause.
    WTO was the only sensible option.
    Conservative MPs have chosen failure over success, and a leader who will destroy them.

    1. Dominic
      April 14, 2019

      The Brexit party need to go north and explain to Labour’s traditional core vote that they have been betrayed by their own party. That they are despised by their own party. That they are being hung out to dry. Such a task will be difficult as the MSM will work hard to undermine the Brexit party in anyway it can

      If the good people of Castleford, Wigan and other northern constituencies do decided to commit Hari Kari (vote Labour) they will pay a heavy price

      1. Tad Davison
        April 14, 2019

        Make the pro-EU Labour shadow Foreign Secretary, Emily Thornberry (Lady Nugee), the poster girl for Labour and tell traditional Labour voters what she actually stands for.
        Then tell them how many Labour MPs want a 2nd referendum because their voters were too stupid to get it right first time, that should do the trick!

  10. Dominic
    April 14, 2019

    How did it come to this that we have to tolerate a Tory PM openly conspiring with a Marxist politician to circumvent the most important democratic exercise in many a generation?

    It would not in anyway shock if this PM invites Corbyn and Marxist Labour to form some form of coalition government. I sincerely hope this does happen as it will finally blow the lid off this most intolerable abuse we are being to watch in our name

    Will Rees-Mogg, Bill Cash and John Redwood support a Tory-Marxist coalition government?

    Reply Of course I would not support a Corbyn/May coalition to push through a Withdrawal Agreement I oppose, but they would not need my vote

    1. Dominic
      April 14, 2019

      I’m not referring to your voting intentions in the Commons.

      What would a Tory MP, any Tory MP, do if May decides to go down this route of destruction for the sake of our membership of the EU?

      Would you resign the whip? Leave the party? Defect? Leave politics?

      It would be utterly intolerable if this were to happen. This Major fellow who used to this nation’s PM made this very suggestion that yes, a coalition should be a consideration. I am speechless that an ex-Tory leader should suggest such a thing.

      I believe Tory Europhiles are damaged. if they aren’t damaged they are utterly beyond comtempt

    2. Everhopeful
      April 14, 2019

      Dominic
      It seems that everything comes back to the fact that Remain MPs are using their vote twice ( or more than twice really) to thwart Brexit.
      They should have accepted defeat with immediate effect.
      Leaving the EU should NEVER have been dependent on the preference of the majority of MPs.
      Why have a referendum in the first place??
      One vote could have settled the matter.

  11. Andy
    April 14, 2019

    There is no leave majority in the country – which is why you are all frightened of a third referendum based on facts not unicorns.

    As for Parliament – if you do not think the work Parliament does is important then you are welcome not to stand for it.

    You could put yourself forward as a candidate for the European elections instead.

    Personally I think the things Westminster does – schools, hospitals, housing, transport, policing, defence, tax and spending – are the important things.

    Westminster does not do any of these things very well.

    1. Everhopeful
      April 14, 2019

      What is it with Remainers believing in unicorns?
      They never stop going on about them!!

    2. Edwardm
      April 14, 2019

      I’m afraid you have got it the wrong way around.
      There is no majority to remain in the EU.
      JR and Leavers consider parliament to be important and wish it not to be subordinate to any other power. It is Remainers who wish to diminish it.

    3. javelin
      April 14, 2019

      The leave majority revealed itself in the referendum.

      The polls of a few thousand regular targeted voters reveals the same invalid conclusions that we all saw before the referendum.

      1. Andy
        April 14, 2019

        Revisionism. Many of the polls before the referendum showed leave winning. To suggest they all said it would be remain is just completely untrue.

      2. Tad Davison
        April 14, 2019

        I don’t know why we still bother to argue with people who can’t tell chalk from cheese.

        1. graham1946
          April 14, 2019

          I’m not going to try to argue with Andy any more. I refuse to have a battle of wits with an unarmed man.

    4. matthu
      April 14, 2019

      So-called Democrats, Liberal Democrats and Remainers all have one thing in common: a refusal to accept the outcome of democratic processes which overturn their own cherished beliefs.

      Unfortunately, and by design, this also includes the majority of parliamentary Conservative MPs and CP electoral candidates.

    5. Anonymous
      April 14, 2019

      “Here’s your third referendum and here is the main fact that we did not mention in the second. We will obstruct a majority decision to leave the EU. We will do nothing to prepare for it and the media and civil service will work with us to stop it happening.”

      Now. If that truth had been said in the run up to the second referendum then I would have abstained. The big lie – by omission – dwarfed any error that was seen on the side of a red bus for just one day’s news cycle but given unlimited publicity by Remain who have trotted it out more times than Vote Leave ever did.

      As it is I – and tens of millions of others – who have made sensible decisions and sacrifices for our children for all of our lives have been lied about by Remain. So we get the message.

      We won’t vote in future. Leave it to the students. They know best… about everything.

      1. Tad Davison
        April 14, 2019

        Big mistake! That is precisely what remain wants. We just need to be more selective and vote for those who have kept the Brexit faith.

        Now we know what liars and distorters of the truth remain people are (just listen to one Theresa May and her cohorts) we can vote for people who are trustworthy. That’s why I nailed my colours to the mast and paid my ÂŁ25.

        There are some decent Brexit Tory MPs worth voting for, as there are decent Labour Brexit MPs worth voting for – some of whom I keep in close contact, but as far as the others in their respective parties go, they fall lamentable short of expectations. ‘My word is my bond’ is not applicable to them it seems.

        1. Anonymous
          April 14, 2019

          OK.

          I’ll vote independent and have been asking main party candidates to leave my property.

    6. Edward2
      April 14, 2019

      It is deciding the question of this referendum that you carefully keep quiet about.
      We have already had a vote that ended with a majority to leave the EU so I presume the qestion would be:-
      Leave the EU via the Withdrawal Agreement
      or
      Leave using WTO arrangements.

    7. Roy Grainger
      April 14, 2019

      Andy – It’s true lots of lies were told by the Remain side during the referendum – 500,000 job losses and an immediate recession in the year following a Leave vote, no plans for a European army etc. However I see no evidence at all that Remainers have stopped lying so a losers vote would be similarly tainted – see recent guesses that WTO would result in a 10% GDP loss (more than in either world war) and of course Remain Hero Mrs May’s perpetual lies. Also, none of these are actually “facts” they are just opinion – tell me one “fact” about leaving that we know now that we didn’t know then.

      I think anyway Leave would win again, due to demographics there are more old people now and you keep telling us they are the ones who vote Leave.

    8. Denis Cooper
      April 14, 2019

      If we had a referendum based on facts you would lose it by a large margin.

      1. acorn
        April 14, 2019

        What facts Denis? the “leave” campaign deliberately avoided facts.

        Writing in 2015, he [Cummings] admitted that the campaign would offer no exit plan: hard Brexit, soft Brexit or any Brexit in between. “There is much to be gained from swerving the whole issue,” he explained. Opponents of the EU “have been divided for years”. In any case, “the sheer complexity of leaving would involve endless questions of detail that cannot be answered”.

        1. Denis Cooper
          April 14, 2019

          Facts that I have regularly presented here, acorn.

          1. acorn
            April 14, 2019

            You have quoted lots of treaty clauses with multiple links and proceeded to misinterpret the majority of them.

            Incidentally, what happened about this sites claim that GATT 24 allowed the UK a ten year transition, on full EU membership terms, to an FTA that the EU would be begging the UK to accept?

            Incidentally, what happened to all those German car makers who would be begging for a free trade deal?

          2. Denis Cooper
            April 15, 2019

            Either you have not been paying proper attention, or you have but you refuse to accept unwelcome truths. And do not try to attribute to me statements made by other people.

      2. Andy
        April 14, 2019

        Be my guest. It is you lot who are gutless – not me.

        For what it is worth I think there is a small chance that people might vote for a no deal in a third referendum.

        But then I tend to think most people are stupid – probably because they are.

        1. Edward2
          April 14, 2019

          A classic comment by you andy.
          Demonstrating the smug self proclaimed superiority of remain supporters.

        2. Anonymous
          April 14, 2019

          Do you know how much courage it takes to declare yourself a Leaver in public ? This before the referendum too.

    9. Dave Andrews
      April 14, 2019

      Not frightened of a third referendum, but the last one has to be implemented, otherwise democracy is betrayed.
      Once we have left the EU, there is nothing stopping any party tabling a referendum to re-join the EU as part of their manifesto.
      Since when have we really had a majority for any public vote? It’s all about who gets the most votes locally and nationally.

    10. Caterpillar
      April 14, 2019

      Andy,

      I think some were afraid of the lack of democracy given that the previous referendum was meant to be one off. Nonetheless, I feel that view is fading since democracy and the working of the HoC has already been seriously damaged. A non-biased, correctly structured referendum might save democracy. If it were not correctly structured it would of course make things worse. If it gave the ‘wrong’ result Parliament might ignore it again. It would also require the party leaders to first publicly admit their failures and what they have done wrong over the last few years, there will be little confidence unless this reflection is shared.

    11. Richard1
      April 14, 2019

      It looks like there will be a second referendum. (Of course it isn’t a third). Probably the question will be the May-Corbyn parody of Brexit, which can barely even be called Brino, versus remain. It will of course be rational to vote remain in that so Brexit will be thwarted and we’ll stay in. My guess is it will be at least 2/3, maybe 3/4 voting for Remain. But on about a 30-40% turnout. Because v few who support leave, and crucially many millions who might have voted remain but believe in democracy, or who have now seen the extent of the EU’s power over the UK, will abstain. I wonder how the national political conversation and mood will go after that?

    12. Plantman
      April 14, 2019

      as a result of an established democratic process – there was a clear majority to leave.

      Just for the sake of discussion, let’s assume the same democratic process is repeated; leavers, having dismissed a 1.9% margin must tell us what margin will be acceptable if they “win” Obviously 1.9% cannot be good enough what is? 2%, 3%, 4% Answer required please

      1. Roy Grainger
        April 14, 2019

        Remainers like Caitlin Moran tell us that a vote of 60% should be required to overturn the status quo. As the current status quo is we voted to leave that means Remain needs to win the losers vote with at least 60%. Seems a bit high to me but that’s their own suggestion so fair enough.

      2. old salt
        April 14, 2019

        Plantman:
        Almost two thirds constituencies voted to leave.

  12. agricola
    April 14, 2019

    Too many career politcians with little life experience outside school, uni, parliamentary gofering, and the reward of a seat. Few of them capable of an original viable thought. Preference for the easy route of taking law from the EU. Lobby fodder, which is why a Machiavelli like May can survive. A nice little earner while it lasts.

    I have given up on the majority and hope that the local and EU election gjves them a good kicking. Do you think that a Brexit party landslide in the EU election will cause the present HoC to realise they are damaged goods, no more than yesterdays chip paper in need of bining. It could be as near as we need to get to a 2nd referendum.

  13. Buckton
    April 14, 2019

    We would have left the EU on 29 March if you and your ERG pals had voted for Mrs May’s deal. We would have left the EU on 12 April if you and your ERG pals had voted for Mrs May’s deal. Now we are locked in until October. The people obstructing the the will of the people are those who oppose Mrs May’s deal. You and your pals. Don’t give me your nonsense about Mrs May’s deal not being “leaving”. It is leaving. It is not leaving on the terms you would like, but (i) “leaving on the terms John Redwood would like” was not on the ballot paper, and (ii) doing a free trade deal with no Irish backstop, which you want, has been rejected 100x by the Eu so it is utterly unrealistic. Grow up

    Reply It is not leaving. It locks us in for 21 to 45 months and undermines our ability to bargain our way out

    1. Denis Cooper
      April 14, 2019

      Of course it is leaving.

      https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A12012M050

      “The Treaties shall cease to apply to the State in question from the date of entry into force of the withdrawal agreement … ”

      That is true whether the withdrawal agreement is a good agreement for the State in question or it is a rubbish agreement made by a rubbish Prime Minister.

      Reply Just not true. The Withdrawal Treaty reimposes all EU rules and controls on us

      1. Denis Cooper
        April 14, 2019

        Which is also true of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, until such time as they are repealed, but nevertheless we will have left the EU.

        1. Richard1
          April 14, 2019

          But been put in a position which is inferior to membership. Unless and until there is a clear route to an independent trade policy and sovereignty over other key issues, it would be better to remain.

          1. Denis Cooper
            April 15, 2019

            And “it would be better to remain”, forever, would be the most likely end of the story.

      2. NickC
        April 15, 2019

        Denis Cooper, I am surprised by what appears to be bad faith on your part. I had not expected it.

        “The [existing] Treaties shall cease to apply …” is true, but not the whole truth. The dWA re-imposes EU laws on the UK via a new treaty.

    2. cornishstu
      April 14, 2019

      Buckton, May does not have a deal, she has an agreement to negotiate one on the EU’s terms which is effectively going into the ring with both hands tied behind your back. Have you actually read the WA or at least some of the legal interpretaions that have been published? It is the majority of remain Mp’s on both sides of the house along with May who are obstructing the will of the people.

    3. Andy
      April 14, 2019

      You wouldn’t write that drivel if you had actually read the so called ‘Withdrawal Agreement’. It isn’t leaving in any meaningful sense of the word. How any Prime Minister could have accepted such a one sided agreement is a mystery. In former days Mrs May would have been arrested and conveyed to The Tower.

      1. Pominoz
        April 14, 2019

        Andy,

        Please do something about changing your ‘handle’.

        Many contributors to these exchanges do not even read an article with ‘Andy’ shown to be the writer. Your sensible views deserve to be read.

    4. Roy Grainger
      April 14, 2019

      If the ERG had voted for May’s Deal it still wouldn’t have passed so why are you blaming them ? The WA matches Labour’s policy almost exactly as far as I can see so you’d do better complaining to them – if they’d voted for it it WOULD have passed.

  14. javelin
    April 14, 2019

    Reality will be delivered from a ballot box.

  15. Mike Stallard
    April 14, 2019

    Sir John – a very Happy Palm Sunday to you! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us so freely – much appreciated.

  16. formula57
    April 14, 2019

    This parliament of quislings requires a second Pride’s Purge.

  17. Glenn Vaughan
    April 14, 2019

    John

    Last Deecember 117 Conservative MPs voted against the Prime Minister to continue as leader of the party.

    At the next Prime Minister’s question time I suggest that all 117 of you (and there may be more now) get up on your feet and walk out of the chamber as soon as she is about to speak. A visual silent protest of that nature will be a far more effective demonstration of no confidence than tittle tattle emerging from the 1922 Committee.

    Unfortunately I doubt that all those Conservative MPs have the courage to engage is such a visible demonstration.

  18. bigneil
    April 14, 2019

    Couldn’t have been better put.

    PS . . see the posts are getting longer again – and multiple, despite your polite requests.

  19. percy openshaw
    April 14, 2019

    Dear Sir John

    The problem now is that many opportunistic, far right and cynical left voices are joining an anti-Tory chorus, mobilised by the treachery or incompetence of the current leadership. They are putting it about that all Conservatives are as bad as May and Hammond. Purblind EU fanatics and lumbering, one-eyed “loyalists” are adding their own nonsense to the noise in today’s Sunday Times, trying to tie the party to the EU supporting corpse in the teeth of dire polling evidence. Unless something is done urgently, then these people will have their way and our country will be lost. The 1922 has been cowed by regulations which it should change. Let it change them at once, unseat May and get Britain out of the EU. Then, it should hold an election in which Labour would have to campaign to rejoin.

  20. Kevin
    April 14, 2019

    Given Mrs. May’s attempted entente with Mr. Corbyn, can democratic Conservative and Labour MPs not attempt their own coalition for the sake of securing independence?

    P.S.: I am very pleased to read Bill Cash’s statement that Mrs. May’s Article 50 extension will be challenged in the courts.

  21. Dennisa
    April 14, 2019

    “you are all frightened of a third referendum based on facts not unicorns.”

    Third referendum? The strategy has been to trash Brexit, especially by some of those purporting to support it. The language of “crashing out” has been widely used. The push for a second referendum is based on a belief that people are so fed up they will now vote to stay in. The Maastrich and Lisbon referenda in Holland and Ireland are templates. Keep voting until you get the right answer.

  22. FranzB
    April 14, 2019

    You can whinge on John but it is not going to change the outcome..the markets know and they have it all priced in. To leave under the conditions that you propose is unthinkable to most free thinking people, it would bring colossal hardship to the country, not to mention the eventual breakup of the UK itself- but here we go- then when I see that you are speaking for England only- says it all.

    1. NickC
      April 15, 2019

      FranzB, Actually 17.4m British people voted to Leave the EU even though there was no deal conditional upon it.

  23. MPC
    April 14, 2019

    There seem few straws to clutch at now. But while there’s life there’s hope in terms of some time until 31 October, unless the WA is signed of course. That time could be used to adopt and publicise a new title for leaving without the WA and on a managed basis – perhaps something as obvious as ‘managed exit’ where there is a fresh campaign highlighting:
    – all the key WA flaws and severe dangers (which I think many non Leavers, including those in the media, are still unfamiliar with)
    – strongly pressurising the Speaker to disallow any more votes on the WA as he has previously stated
    – all existing EU laws are being taken into UK law as you say under our own Withdrawal Act, a tremendous concession to all Remain voters which should have been much more emphasised previously
    – the range of side agreements necessary for such an exit, most having been already made and recently shelved with the block on further ‘no deal’ planning, but which could be revived and enhanced
    -consider how such an approach could be acceptable to Parliament given there’ve been recent pro Remain motions which have served to reverse constitutional precedent; compromise could be confiined to say a date of exit and maybe matters such as a complete but phased restoration of our fishing grounds over 5 years

    This may sound forlorn but what other choices are there now? At least such an approach would win the backing of Leave voters and, to use your term, ‘sensible Remainers’, of whom there are many including friends of mine, who now see the EU’s power for what it is and who can be persuaded away from the negativity of ‘no deal’ scaremongering.

  24. Denis Cooper
    April 14, 2019

    Well, this Parliament is the product of at least six decades of main political parties preferring to have election candidates who support European integration, even if most of them have not been fully committed eurofederalists. I would not expect that to change very much if we had another general election: some of the extreme pro-EU Tory MPs might not be reselected, some might retire, and some have defected and would stand little chance of keeping their seats, and there might be some other changes at the margins for other parties, but probably the composition of the House of Commons would still be about 90% the same and a large majority would still be dead set against “crashing out” of the EU without a deal.

    1. matthu
      April 14, 2019

      “Well, this Parliament is the product of at least six decades of main political parties preferring to have election candidates who support European integration …”

      (And almost every mainstream media organisation, almost every school and university, almost every major charitable trust and every government or EU funded institution is the product of at least six decades of preferring to have employees who support European integration. Almost as if by edict.)

  25. William1995
    April 14, 2019

    Labour predicted to gain 60 seats if there were a general election now. That isn’t Tony Blair or Ed Miliband or even Gordon Brown. That’s Corbyn’s Marxist labour. Just think about that for a moment. The Conservative party have slipped into a very deep pit. Change of leadership is absolutely essential.

    1. Tad Davison
      April 14, 2019

      May thinks of nothing but herself and her dogged pursuit of the betrayal of 17.4 million people whilst being sickeningly subservient to a different master. I have used the word ‘sociopathic’ to describe her actions. Strangely, church-goers can often make the coldest least trustworthy people. The ability to repeatedly lie straight-faced is a dead giveaway.

      1. Pominoz
        April 15, 2019

        Tad,

        Always like to read your comments. You are absolutely right. Forgiveness cleanses the soul, so another round of treachery and deceit can begin with a clear conscience.

  26. javelin
    April 14, 2019

    I’m not a betting man but all the betting websites I just checked have Corbyn as the most likely to be next PM. Follow the money.

    1. miami.mode
      April 14, 2019

      javelin. If you’d followed the money on the referendum or Donald Trump you would have lost.

      The problem then is the retribution sought by all the losers.

  27. Pete Else
    April 14, 2019

    I think this demonstates just how awful UK politics are today. Even it’s own members are discribing it as a pathetic puppet parliament and rightly so. The only laws it seems to have any enthusiasm for are designed to restrict our freedoms and it certainly cannot even contemplate repealing bad EU laws no matter how beneficial that would be. The entire political apparatus is groaning under the weight of incompetence, corruption and self interest. Any corner shop owner has more economic knowledge, any market trader has better bargaining skills and any drug dealer has more morality than a busload of MP’s. What are they good for? Personally I wouldn’t employ most of them to cut my grass.

    1. Tad Davison
      April 14, 2019

      Inclined to agree will all of that Pete. They couldn’t run a knocking shop and be honest about it!

  28. Bryan Harris
    April 14, 2019

    Doesn’t this come down to a specific question? ‘What is it about the EU that so many see it as the epitome of a golden future, offering something the UK cannot’ …and subsequently makes them support it no matter how much damage they cause?
    There are 3 reasons that I see: IGNORANCE – LIVING IN A STARTREK DREAMWORLD – PERSONAL GAIN.
    Ignorance is certainly rife – Very few look at the EU and see it for what it is or where it is taking us…
    Too many people watched the Startrek TV programs when growing up and now equate that endearing fictional future with the EU.
    Certainly, there are some that would lose out personally if we did really exit the EU.

  29. RichardM
    April 14, 2019

    The EU has been demonstrably more efficient than our own incompetent government, and what more our contributions to it are around one third of what our own government administration costs.

    Tax contribution to public spending :

    UK contribution to EU budget : ÂŁ90
    Government Administration : ÂŁ 245

    I say stay in the EU and slash government administration. Getting rid of some of you MPs would be a start – as promised in your last 2 Tory manifestos but quietly dropped.

    1. Bryan Harris
      April 14, 2019

      What nonsense – The UK like every country needs an in-house administration to get the EU rules applied.

      Do not imagine for one moment that if we ever get to the point where England doesn’t exist as a country, that the EU regional assemblies will cost us less than the administration costs now – Like all good dictatorships the EU will ensure we have nothing but beans in our pockets.

    2. anon
      April 14, 2019

      EU is a top layer.
      They do not implement or enforce that is for the regional civil service. The cost would not go down, it would transfer or be hidden elsewhere.

      The purpose of EU “parliaments” is a veneer to manage the lower farm animals.

      Power in the EU lies with a cabal or a junta, who cannot be removed directly by a democratic votes.

      Even an elected genuine Brexiteer in a nation state as large the UK, would need to plan carefully and deploy ruthless tactics to outfox the anti-democrats. I suggest many not one, Mr Brexits.

      1. Bryan Harris
        April 15, 2019

        @Anon – Nicely said

  30. Caterpillar
    April 14, 2019

    Why get yourself elected?
    1) Good pay and package, even with little talent or experience.
    2) Five year minimum fixed term contract (more than a gig, one or two years in the private sector).
    3) Can have fun making silly jibes and being awkward – rewarded rather than sacked for being a dysfunctional coworker.
    4) Desire for ministerial position (image, self importance), not desire to change and improve .
    5) Positively, wanting to be a ‘social worker’ for a constituency.

    1. Andy
      April 14, 2019

      6) ability to employ spouse if you were first elected before 2015.
      7) ability to have a second, third or fourth job which pays more than your main one.

  31. steadyeddie
    April 14, 2019

    Calling Parliament ‘pathetic’ is an admission that Leave has lost the argument. The Referendum was an opinion poll, regardless of what David Cameron said when it was announced. Government has to pursue the best interests of the country, balancing the myriad views within Parliament and the country. I respect Sir John’s opinion and that of the 17.4 million, but although the EU has many faults it is in our best interests to remain within. The Leave majority vote was interesting and a wake up call but it is not persuasive in the representative democracy that has served us well over the centuries.

    1. mickc
      April 14, 2019

      But all Parties said they would honour the result of the Referendum; they have now reneged on that pledge.
      As for “best interests”, Iain Macleod said many years ago, with regard to decolonisation, “self government is better than good government”. The colonies were duly given independence. He was right, as was agreed both then and now.
      It is, of course, a matter of considerable debate as to whether the EU even provides good government. It certainly provides a lot of government; Tacitus was probably right…”the more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws”. The diesel scandal springs to mind, let alone the unaccountable bureaucracy.
      Representative democracy is indeed a good thing; let us take it back.

      1. Tad Davison
        April 14, 2019

        Whenever I think about the EU and the laws it makes to try to justify its existence, I think of Oscar Wilde – ‘The bureaucracy is expanding to meet the needs of the expanding bureaucracy’.

        There used to be the odd library shelf devoted to books on EU law. Now, there are entire buildings devoted to it (see Peter Hitchens excellent documentary).

        Reading what the remainers write on these pages, they are totally beguiled by the EU to the extent they can see nothing wrong with it.
        True Lotus eaters in every sense of the word. They’re hopeless addicts and clueless to boot.

    2. Andy
      April 14, 2019

      Well said. It was also not a vote to leave on any terms.

      Brexit was a vote to leave on terms close to those set out by Vote Leave in their basis that it would make our country better.

      We now know for certain that those terms are not available and that Brexit not obkt will make our country worse but already has.

      It really is time for MPs to kill it off.

      1. Edward2
        April 14, 2019

        Wrong again andy.
        The 15 year guess by the perpetually pessimistic Treasury still says we will all be better off than we are today.
        Since the referendum we have had reductions in unemployment rises in the stock exchange record numbers in work and decent growth levels.

      2. Roy Grainger
        April 14, 2019

        Andy – you are once again confusing opinions with facts. An opinion is that Brexit has already damaged the economy – that is impossible to prove. A fact is that employment has increased enormously since the vote to leave, a fact directly contrary to the Remain opinion that unemployment would increase by 500,000. See the difference ?

    3. Denis Cooper
      April 14, 2019

      So we should never again believe anything at all promised in any government leaflet, not even if MPs had prior sight of the leaflet and debated it for over an hour without any one of them objecting to whatever promise it made.

      http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2016/10/09/the-cbi-and-the-eu/#comment-835753

    4. Henry Rogers
      April 14, 2019

      Eddie,

      I don’t think the fact that UK happened to have a referendum which resulted in a leave vote is the whole story, it’s just part of it. The EU, by deliberate design, doesn’t respond to the priorities of the populations of EU component countries, but to those of elites who firmly believe they know better than voters. Looking further than the boundaries our own country one can see that we, as UK voters, are not alone in disapproving of this.

      Reforming a system like the EU from within would be the ideal solution. Unfortunately that doesn’t seem likely to happen.

      Left to it’s own devices a bureaucracy like the EU is likely to become increasingly remote and voter discontent everywhere is likely to become greater. As discontent increases, the risk of blood rather than tears being shed, all over Europe, becomes greater.

      The idea that remaining in the EU is in the best interests of the UK is a contentious one. Having observed the activities of some of them over the last two or three years voters may well conclude that Parliamentarians have no monopoly of good sense or integrity.

      Just one further thought: this is not an issue which will fade away quietly of it’s own accord.

    5. anon
      April 14, 2019

      The ignore obstruct the democratic peoples vote leave majority in various parliamentary indicative votes (i.e not legally binding) was interesting and a wake up call but they were not persuasive to a majority of voters for a properly functioning representative democracy that has served us until 1973.

      Fixed it for ya.

  32. Dave Andrews
    April 14, 2019

    Remainers in Parliament and elsewhere present themselves as those with concern about the economic damage of leaving the EU. However, looking at the behaviour of those campaigning, it has more an appearance of a personality cult. There is something they see in the EU that makes them want to lay down their liberty and embrace servitude, like some kind of Shangri-La.
    My guess is that most people who voted to remain did so because of economic concerns, and those really are the only ones that can be addressed rationally. I do wonder what percentage of them voted for ideological reasons.

  33. Julie Dyson
    April 14, 2019

    Great post, Sir John, perfectly encapsulating the whole mess in a nutshell. And what a mess it is.

    In your case the anger and frustration of a true Leaver is clearly compounded by the fact that this is your own beloved Conservative Party seeming hell-bent on its own destruction, and worse, not seeming to realise (or perhaps, being unwilling to believe) that this is exactly where it is heading on this course. Indeed, a conspiracy nut might suggest that all those LibDems currently masquerading in Tory blue in the HoC are part of some grand plan with precisely this aim in mind. I expect to see many switch to such as Change UK when removed from their seat at the next GE, if not simply jump ship before then.

    Or will it be the Tory Brexiteers who follow the strength of their own convictions?

  34. Nick Thompson
    April 14, 2019

    Sir John

    It is now obvious to all that this Parliament is nothing more than an EU puppet determined to thwart the wishes of the electorate. EU led traitor May and her kind seem to have corrupted everything that made our Parliament function as it should – elected by the people for the people. By no means perfect but it worked.

    Unless I am missing something, I can see no way that yourself and true MPs are going to win through against this horrible Government and its supporters. This issue transcends all party loyalty – there hasn’t been what I would call a true Conservative party for years now anyway. We, the country, need a nuclear option.

    All Brexiters in Parliament need to resign to bring down this crowd of traitors. The Tories and Labour are finished and we need a new party who are determined to carry out what the people have voted for. A clean out of Westminster as a whole would also be a good step.

    A revolution is what is required Sir John. Polite letters to the AG don’t work.

  35. TheyWontCrushBrexit
    April 14, 2019

    Sir John,

    The Brexit Party has only been officially launched for a couple of days and has already made a big impact.

    The Party has certainly ruffled feathers…the Leftie papers are really worried…already attacking this new Party.
    A sure sign of the success ahead!

    Mrs May and her Government have taken on the people, directly.
    The People will now respond.
    Now we will have ‘our say’.

    There is a tsunami of voter anger out here.

    Just to let you know, Sir John, I live in a leafy town in Surrey.
    Mr Jeremy Hunt’s Constituency.
    I’ve been here 35 years.

    Yesterday, Tory Local Election leaflets were delivered to our doors.
    My next door neighbour (usually a very quiet and restrained man) rushed out and threw the leaflets back …and said a few choice words.

    That, in this area, is absolutely astonishing and shows, to me, that Theresa May has taken the Tories to the brink of a cliff-edge to obliteration!

    There is a bumpy ride ahead for the Tories.

    The only hope is that Theresa May’s BRINO WA can be stalled…The ‘Wrecking Ball’ Theresa May is replaced…and we go on from there.

    I sincerely hope that all the honourable Tories (yourself, Bill Cash, Steve Baker etc ) can survive.

    Respect to you, Sir John, and good luck!

    1. nhsgp
      April 14, 2019

      THat will apply to all politicians.

    2. Anonymous
      April 14, 2019

      The problem for you is that people will be distracted by the presence of UKIP which will split the vote. The BBC nor the government will bother to count the total UKIP + Brexit Party votes as they should.

      Nigel Farage ought never to have left. I’m very disappointed with him and his departure left the field open for a Remain establishment to do its work.

      1. TheyWontCrushBrexit
        April 14, 2019

        The Brexit Party will almost certainly come to a tactical voting arrangement with UKIP.

        Also, it’s best to read up on how the voting actually works in the European Elections.

        It will obviously come as news to you, that it is not FPTP.

        Please then come back, and comment about UKIP and “vote splitting”.

  36. javelin
    April 14, 2019

    As you know I like to do a review on comments in the newspaper every week.

    What really surprises me this week is that there seems to be 100% support in right wing newspaper comments to not vote Conservative. I mean the comments are literally baked in like concrete. People seem absolutely determined to not vote Conservative. Look at Dan Hannan’s comments in the Telegraph as a good example.

    I sincerely wasn’t expecting every single commentator to say they were not voting Conservative. I’ve documented confusion, frustration, annoyance, anger on your site – but things seem to have flipped very suddenly from anger to absolute refusal to vote Conservative.

    Never thought I say this but it looks like the Conservatives are going to be completely wiped out, except for any very strong remainer or leaver MPs in strong remain or leave areas.

  37. Denis Cooper
    April 14, 2019

    I watched Angela Merkel’s heir presumptive as Chancellor, Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, “AKK”, being interviewed by the BBC’s Katya Adler, and this struck me:

    “I very much regret the decision that was expressed through the referendum in the UK. To this day, I wish that the UK would correct this decision and stay in the EU.”

    You see, this was a wrong decision made by a foolish electorate under the malign influence of “right-wing populists” which the UK should “correct”.

    1. Mark B
      April 15, 2019

      I do not believe she believes that. What the real reason is, is that France and the others want Germany to pay their bills. With the UK still in this can be pushed against and have the UK share the burden. This is naked German self interest, nothing more.

  38. Oliver
    April 14, 2019

    Why is Liddington, on Marr, allowed to say there isn’t a majority for anything? There was, Malthouse.

    If we go for that, we go to the EU – your choice – WA+exit clause, or “No deal” – you chose “No Deal” you go and explain it to your citizens who lose their jobs because of your unreasonable intransigence.

    Why, in Gods name, don’t we do that?

  39. Derek Henry
    April 14, 2019

    I’ve voted for the SNP all my adult life for the exact same reasons most on here have voted for Brexit. I voted leave in the EU referendum.

    Both the success or failure of Brexit or Scotland’s independence would all depend on the economic policies put in place after leaving.

    I brought people together and set up MMT Scotland and organised 2 events in May with MMT economists Warren Mosler and Bill Mitchell. Two experts who actually do know how the monetary system, central banks, commercial banks and currencies operate in reality.

    However, I will never vote for the SNP again. From day one they have tried to overturn the referendum result and I will never vote for Labour or the Conservatives in the future because of their lies, deceit and treachery. So it looks like the Brexit Party is the only party I can vote for. Does anyone know if there will be a Brexit Party in Scotland ?

    Scotland has been a currency slave of London for far too long in the exact same way countries using the Euro are currency slaves to Brussels. The SNP are deluded and beyond stupid wanting to replace one currency slave owner with another.

    I’ve fought for Scottish Independence all my adult life and I’m 50 next year and even though staying in the union keeps us as currency slaves to the fiscal Conservatives. Who have no idea whatsoever how the UK monetary system works. I’ll be fighting against the SNP for the rest of my life to stop them taking Scotland into the heart of the EU’s neoliberal globalist sess pit.

    The Scottish Growth Comission produced by the SNP was a blue print not for true Scottish independence but for joining the Euro. An independence in name only a soft Indy that would leave Scotland controlled by the bankers and the IMF.

    The SNP strategy is to steal remain Labour and Lib Dem voters in Scotland a ” Indy at all costs ” plan. That will get them across the line if there is another Indy vote. Walking Scotland into the EU prison that parade countries around like pets in a zoo.

    The Brexit Party has to be set up in Scotland to give the independence voters like myself people who voted to leave in the EU referendum a voice. I will NEVER vote Conservative until they tell the truth that we live in a spend and then tax economy not a tax and then spend one. They have morphed into a lobbying arm for the City Of london, Wall Street and Frankfurt and no longer listen to or respect the Tory grass roots.

    Surely the Brexit party wouldn’t be against Scottish Independence because Scottish independence voters are trying to leave London for all the same reasons the UK are trying to leave Brussels. If they are against Scottish independence then I have no one to vote for.

    1. rose
      April 14, 2019

      What would happen about all the Scots in England and the English in Scotland? Aren’t we all too mixed up after centuries of union?

  40. Christine
    April 14, 2019

    For any chance of the Conservatives surviving you must get rid of May and change direction. I’ve read that the 1922 committee has said the 12 month leadership rule can be changed by MPs. I suggest you take this opportunity before your party is wiped out. Personally I’ll be voting for the Brexit Party and hopefully they will stand in the next General Election. Having seen the debacle in Parliament I think we need a good clean out. The public have had enough of the current crop of MPs trying to overturn democracy. I just hope they don’t sign the WA before we can remove them.

  41. Roy Grainger
    April 14, 2019

    A bit harsh to blame Parliament John – the blame is entirely due to the Conservative leader, the Conservative party and Conservative MPs, they have a majority (with the DUP) so could have implemented their own manifest promises should they have wished. That’s why no-one wanting Brexit should ever vote Conservative again – cherry picking the handful of individual MPs like yourself who would be consistently pro-Brexit is just too hard and too risky, we need to vote against the whole lot of you, and many of us will.

  42. nhsgp
    April 14, 2019

    So introduce a spending bill. Remainer MPs to specify what gets cut to pay the EU.

    Let them take back control.

    No payments to the EU until that bill passes

    They, remainer MPs, need to be forced to take responsibility.

    Then you can add an amendment that the laws only apply in the constituencies that vote for the deal.

  43. Lynn Atkinson
    April 14, 2019

    This Parliament is comprised of those who can get onto Party lists. We want to vote for the Brexiteer candidates who fail to get onto the Tory list!
    Either the Tory Party must resolve this or make way for a real conservative party where democratic conservatism is cherished and candidates espousing that are welcome.

  44. Original Richard
    April 14, 2019

    The fact that so many MPs are neither respecting the referendum result of their constituency nor adhering to the promises they made in the 2017 GE should show all leave voters that continuing to vote for an MP based upon their party allegiance rather than their views on whether to leave or remain in the EU is no longer a viable policy.

    This will include all those fake leave voting MPs who are determined for the UK to sign an international treaty with the EU from which we will never, ever lawfully be able to exit and will leave us in the EU’s institutions and under their control without any representation or veto on laws, taxes and policies.

    To keep voting for these remain candidates expecting them to vote in Parliament for the UK to leave the EU is the very definition of insanity.

  45. Rien Huizer
    April 14, 2019

    Mr Redwood,

    This is over the top. You are calling the UK parliament a puppet. Whose puppet and why are you a member then? That populist mantra of “the will of the people” is something continentals remember from a somewhat darker era, UK citizens only experienced as witnesses, not victims. The Will of the People is the authoritarian’s tool, not the democrats, because the democrat knows there is no single “popular will” and that the preferences of minorities cannot be ignored, especiall;y in a world with multi issue controversies: “green”, pro choice Conservatives with liberal (or capitalist) economic views, pro life, climate sceptic Labour members. What does binary populism say about that? That is why we need a parliament sometimes supporting and sometimes opposing the government of the day, with sufficient latitude for members to express the prefrences on specific issues that reflect those of their local electors (in a plurality system like the UK’s).

    Now, you could argue that the current Parliament (often called mainly pro-remain -although I see very few of them wishing the UK to remain a member of the EU) is doing someone’s bidding who is against the wishes of the People. Whose bidding would that be? Who is the puppet master here?

    Reply The puppet master is the EU. I was elected to change this!

    1. Anonymous
      April 14, 2019

      Reply to reply: THAT’s the waaay t’ dooo-it !

    2. Rien Huizer
      April 14, 2019

      Mr Redwood,

      That does not make sense. First of all “the EU” is not a person, it is an association of sovereign states. Second, to the best of my information there is no desire within the EU council or the Commission to make the UK stay in the EU. It is ensible people who do not like to lose the benefits (that you denigrate) of the common market as evolved (under Thatcher’s guidance) into the single market. You are deluding yourself if you believe that a majority of EU states want to keep the UK inside and make it part of some nonsensical French rhetorical construct of a superstate. That is for French domestic consumption.

      Anyway, it is water under the bridge, you are going to have some form of second rate membership plus your hereished sovereignty, whatever that may mean for a small island state on the borders of Europe, or a dependency (not even with the status of Puerto Rico) of the US. Enjoy.

  46. Gareth Warren
    April 14, 2019

    Conservative MPs especially seem to be in a state of denial as to the intentions of voters and the vast leave anger out there.

    Some believe we can just ask the country again and get the “correct” answer and carry on with business, at least I am sure their intention to see another referendum requires a choice to vote to remain.

    Others think that we just need to get the withdrawal act through and brexiteers will move onto new issues at the next election. These people clearly do not believe in low taxes and seem oblivious to the fact that the next general election would see the conservative party lubered with even higher taxes, and significant portions of remainers and brexiteers incensed at what they see as bad government due to a bad deal.

    All of these MPs have missed the point, they signed up to leave the EU, and will be rightly despised by a significant portion of the electorate if they do not deliver. The PM already has spoken of stepping down and every month she now remains does damade to the UK and conservative party. We need a pro brexit PM straight away and need to leave without that wretched deal.

    We may compromise, even handing over a substantial bribe later, events will likely remove the need for it, but for a chance of a successful GE we need both low taxes and perhaps some more money for the NHS, Even Boris 0n top form won’t be able to spin the farce that is the withdrawal act.

    I hope time back in their constituencies will give a large enough time for MPs to get reacquainted with political reality.

    Lastly, a suggestion. While the houses of parliament are being renovated why not relocate out of London into a city such as Poole or Colchester? There does seem to be something very politically unhealthy about working inside the London bubble, investing money elsewhere would also be a good political move.

  47. miami.mode
    April 14, 2019

    An extremely succinct description of many of the present members of the HoC, but why do interviewers not question some of them directly and in depth on their perceived benefits of the EU?

    All too often the only response to leaving is for them to say it is “economic suicide”, and generally without justifying their answer.

  48. BJN
    April 14, 2019

    In The Express today, it said that British Steel is in desperate need of a ÂŁ100 million loan after being frozen out of the EU Scheme by Brussels in the latest blow to Brexit. Apparently, Theresa Mays Brexit debacle has left B.S., which employs over 5000 people, with thousands of subsidiary workers, out of an EU wide carbon trading scheme. We’re putting billions into the EU each year and they are putting us out of work. Thanks Theresa for trying to kill my home town of Scunthorpe. Shan’t forget it!!!

    1. Chris
      April 14, 2019

      President Trump would fix it for you. The EU ensures the destruction of our home grown industries, I believe, just as the same globalist model did in the USA, until P Trump came along.

      I believe the carbon trading scheme is part of a wider scam connected with so called man made global warming scare. The flaws in their justification for such schemes will, I believe, come to light in the not too distant future, but as long as we are part of the EU or a vassal state of it, we will be subject to these schemes.

      There are billions to be made out of the whole global warming/carbon trading issue, but the wealth will go into the hands of big business and the global political elite who, in my view, have devised these schemes.

  49. Remington Norman
    April 14, 2019

    Good afternoon John,

    You are an MP. Why haven’t you, and those who share your views, unseated Theresa May and held those determined to thwart Brexit to account?

  50. Fedupsoutherner
    April 14, 2019

    They have all signed their own death warrants John. We have been taken for fools and lied to on a massive scale. This has cost us a fortune and done much damage to industry and it needn’t have been like this. Governments cannot be allowed to make solemn promises and then renege on them. Thank goodness there are men of integrity like yourself.

  51. Polly
    April 14, 2019

    Awwww,

    That’s so sad, you didn’t approve any of my posts !

    Please tell us………. who is the puppeteer ?

    Reply You put in endless links I have not time to check. Try writing your own piece

  52. newmania
    April 14, 2019

    The Leave Minority is characterised by low enthusiasm with many Brexit supporters saying they would not bother voting. The European elections will tell us more .
    If all kindly Mr Redwood wished to do was fiddle about with Tampon taxes one might wonder why he is hopping about like an enraged Rumplestiltskin at all.Sadly the words” other (laws) that have done economic damage …” contain a world of lost jobs, and wrecked services …..

    1. Anonymous
      April 14, 2019

      Brino (WA) means a tribute to Rome (or protection money to the Mafia – take your pick.)

      It means no Brexit dividend. It means our our money going to the EU and a even less of it coming back because of a higher tax levy.

      You are not dealing with the new reality since the referendum. Remain means a world of lost jobs and wrecked services too – and no independence.

      You are going to wish we had just left.

  53. Fred H
    April 14, 2019

    Sir John, you pose 2 questions ‘Why get yourself elected to a body designed to make laws and to influence government policy if you want our laws to be made across the Channel instead? Dealing with the second question first, Why draw a salary if you think you cannot improve on what the EU does?
    Well in answer, could it be that too many see themselves as having interlect above the common man, and imagine they will forever be held in high regard and be respected in their constituency? And of course a reasonable salary/expenses, severance pay if applicable, and a pension payment when the game is up? On the first question, normally only just over half the seats are ‘in government ranks’ so the smaller number can only navel-gaze. The government supporters are whipped, and often would like to dissent, but do not dare. In honesty much of the law originated in the UK anyway, and much of the change from the EU we would not wish to revise. Which sort of brings me to the 650 seated H of C. What a ridiculous high number (of Party Central Office approved candidates), elected on a first past the post basis. Even worse is the ‘nodding-off’ H of L, incredible numbers of party biased people fobbed off/retired off trouble makers who are supposed to examine Bills for unwise elements, which surely a fresh elected body of 50 or so mixed skills could do the job better then at present?

  54. Ed Mahony
    April 14, 2019

    Like the rest of the Western World, the UK is suffering from a lack of belief in Traditional Christianity (Catholic/Protestant).

    If Traditional Christianity was strong in this country, the UK would be both entirely sovereign (completely outside the EU Single Market + Customs Union – perhaps we would never have joined in the first place) whilst at same time having strong, healthy relations with Europe in trade, security and culture.

    There is only so much politicians can do. The rest of the country has to take responsibility as well – parents, people in the Church and education and business and culture and so on.

    And if Traditional Christianity was strong in this country, we’d have a stronger loyalty to Monarchy, Parliament, Judiciary and Army. We’d have more Work Ethic – leading to stronger but more stable economy (remember the Quakers). We’d have richer arts – more Shakespeares and Handels and so on. We’d have richer architecture – more Sir Christoper Wrens. Even so many of our greatest scientists were devout believers in traditional Christianity (Sir Isaac Newton and so on).

    We’d have stronger family life. People depending on their own families more than the State (and depending more on Work Ethic). We would therefore have far lower taxes. And so on. And far more sense of public duty and sense of true Patriotism (for devotion to Country is important like devotion to our Family – deriving ultimately from devotion to God).

    Our country would be blessed like God blessed Ancient Egypt under the Vizier Joseph.

    1. forthurst
      April 14, 2019

      The CofE is a tepid affair, stuck in a time warp from its schism from Rome under the bloodthirsty tyrant, Henry viii; the churches are barren of adornment or home comforts and its clergy through their interminable sermons ensure that the main witnesses are empty pews. Perhaps it is time for HM the Queen to relinquish her responsibly for our spiritual lives and hand back her magnificent ecclesiastical estate to someone who was elected to his role.

  55. Denis Cooper
    April 14, 2019

    I’ve just sent the following letter to our local newspaper, the Maidenhead Advertiser, with supporting links. This morning I saw that weasel David Lidington on the Andrew Marr programme, and, guess what, he used the very same “no running commentary” formula as Theresa May used in 2016, now with respect to his negotiations with Labour:

    “you wouldn’t expect me to give a running commentary on talks which are in progress ”

    But, would you believe it, Parliament will have much greater involvement in the next stage of the negotiations … the classic “jam tomorrow” ploy.

    “Dear Sir

    For years there have been concerns about government sidelining Parliament during the negotiation of European treaties.

    As long ago as February 1998, during a debate on the Amsterdam Treaty, the Tory peer Lord Garel-Jones complained that:

    “Parliament is invited to debate and discuss the treaty without being able to amend a single dot or comma.”

    He argued that there should be ways:

    “… by which Parliament itself can be much more closely involved with the Executive in the negotiating process …”.

    But of course that is precisely what our current Prime Minister Theresa May has always been keen to prevent with regard to the negotiations for our withdrawal from the EU, with the dire consequences that we see.

    There was an early warning sign of her highhanded attitude on September 7th 2016, when she told MPs that her government “
 will not provide a running commentary on every twist and turn of the negotiation …”.

    And she went a step further on July 24th 2018 when she assumed personal charge of the negotiations, with the support of the Cabinet Office and largely sidelining even her replacement Brexit secretary, Dominic Raab.

    So what should be done to resolve the impasse which has been created by the Prime Minister’s dictatorial attitude?

    It pains me to say this, but as the rotten deal she has negotiated is probably the only way we will ever get out of the EU I suppose Tory MPs should vote for it – albeit under loud protest, and holding their noses.

    Yours etc”

    1. mancunius
      April 14, 2019

      Denis – Can you tell me exactly how we should be able to ‘get out of the EU’ with the WA, a Treaty that binds us to its legislation and prevents us from freeing ourselves from the customs union – potentially for ever?

      If the alternative were to be forced by a gerrymandered ‘yes-erendum’ to remain in the EU, then at least we have a future chance of an upsurge of disgust producing a government that would have the guts to leave properly.

      1. monza 71
        April 14, 2019

        Mancunius : if you follow events at Westminster you must surely realise by now that a WTO exit is not going to be possible.

        Yes, almost everyone supporting Brexit would now prefer a WTO exit to any other outcome but the Remainer majority in Parliament will never allow it.

        We can discuss why we are in this invidious position till the cows come home but it won’t change anything. We are where we are.

        IF we want to leave, some version of May’s deal is now the ONLY possible route out of the EU.

        We will have to rely on a proper Brexiteer Prime Minister to handle the next stage of the negotiations properly and hope that he will do his very best to rectify the appalling situation May’s incompetence has put us in .

        1. rose
          April 14, 2019

          We are in this position because the remain establishment discovered in the WTO exit the perfect excuse for preventing Brexit. All they had to do was depict it as apocalyptic and we never need leave.

      2. Denis Cooper
        April 14, 2019

        Yes, I can tell you that: because it is what it says in Article 50, see above:

        http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2019/04/14/the-puppet-parliament-becomes-more-pathetic/#comment-1013287

        as recalled in the preamble to the agreement, see from two days ago:

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

        Whatever else the withdrawal agreement would or would not do it would very definitely withdraw us from the EU, and it is grossly misleading to pretend otherwise.

        Perhaps you could explain why you think that we would not have left.

        As for a future chance to leave some time after we had agreed to stay, on the one previous occasion that issue has arisen the time lapse was 41 years.

        I do wish people would be more realistic about this; it seems obvious to me that if we did have another referendum and we voted to reverse the result of the 2016 referendum then most of us commenting here would not live to see Parliament agreeing that we should have another referendum, even if that ever happened which I reckon would be very unlikely.

        Reply The Agreement locks us in for at least 21 months more and requires us to try to negotiate our way out. How would that work? The legislation for the WA would require the repeal of the EU Withdrawal Act or its long suspenion

        1. monza 71
          April 14, 2019

          Reply to Reply :

          Even the talks with Labour are going to end up with MPs voting through the Withdrawal Agreement, if they prove successful.

          If you are right, Sir John, can you please advise us how you propose to get any kind of exit through the House of Commons that does not involve signing the withdrawal Agreement ???

          The arithmetic for our prefered WTO exit simply does not add up !

        2. Denis Cooper
          April 15, 2019

          JR, yu should be clear with yourself and with your readers that it does not lock us in as an EU member. It is not my fault that Tory MPs have allowed their leader to negotiate such a poor deal for immediately after we have left, and I said a lot about this BEFORE it was too late.

    2. Chris
      April 14, 2019

      Denis, there is no way we get out of the EU by signing up to the WA. It will condemn us to vassal state status, and Lawyers for Britain and others have highlighted the minefield of other issues in the WA and PD which would be an disaster for the UK.

      The basis for the WA was the Dublin agreement in Dec 2017, and even at that time Charles Moore stated that it represented a “complete capitulation”. Have faith, Denis, we can and will do very much better. May’s position is not quite as unassailable as it looks or as she portrays. I have no doubt that her days are numbered, and if she does rush through her WA in a devious manner there will be uproar. Finally her MPs will act.

      1. Denis Cooper
        April 15, 2019

        As I and others have said before, desirable as it may be the removal of Theresa May would not change the arithmetic in the Commons, and nor would it make the EU more amenable to renegotiation of the withdrawal agreement, which as it presently stands does at least achieve our withdrawal from the EU albeit on very poor terms.

  56. villaking
    April 14, 2019

    Sir John,
    The tone of your post is bordering on the ridiculous. There are no laws imposed on us against our will. The EU’s laws are primarily to do with the smooth functioning of the world’s largest and most successful, completely seamless single market and we help shape them via our elected MEPs. In any club of 28 members, there would need to be certain club laws applicable to all. At the same time, those members would reserve the right to make their own laws on things that don’t impact on the club (most tax rates, the balance of tax and public spending, education policy, defence policy, Trident renewal, the level of your salary etc.)

    1. Dominic
      April 14, 2019

      Ridiculous doesn’t even begin to describe the nonsense contained in this puny offering

    2. Martyn G
      April 14, 2019

      You say “…world’s largest and most successful, completely seamless single market”. You mean the same market processes that have resulted in 45% or worse youth unemployment in some member countries?
      “members would reserve the right to make their own laws on things that don’t impact on the club”. Really? The EU is about to disregard subsidiary and impose its own, universal tax rates and NIC scheme on all member states, about which member governments will have no say. Already, member states budgets are subject to scrutiny by the EU and can impose changes thereon.
      The EU is determined to impose its own defence strategy and raise its own armed forces. The EU Parliament can do no more than what it is told by the Commission and Council. It cannot refuse to pass a new law or directive and can only send it back for amendment. If the Council decides not to amend it, then it has to be passed by the EU Parliament. Democracy at work? Perhaps not.
      The way ahead is clear – governments of member states will, turn by turn of the well established EU ratchet way of imposing its will, have less and less say on what they are allowed to do in governing their nation. And you see this a good thing? Many do not.

      1. villaking
        April 15, 2019

        Of the many factual errors in your reply, the one that is most important to correct for other readers is the assertion that the European Parliament can be forced to pass legislation. This is not true. As a statement of fact, other readers should be aware that the Commission has no direct legislative powers it can only propose legislation and then only based on the direction set by the Council. Direct legislative authority lies only with parliament and the Council and there is a process for reaching a compromise when the two disagree. It is perhaps also worth reminding people that the parliament is directly elected and the Council is comprised of the 28 elected heads of government. Wholly democratic.

    3. rose
      April 14, 2019

      When it was set up, the Single Market was a benign institution, facilitating free trade, based on the principle of mutual recognition. Unfortunately, the Commission spotted it could be subverted to become a means of political control over the countries.

      Our MEPs don’t shape anything. The European Parliament is a sham parliament. It cannot propose legislation or amend it; it does not debate or scrutinise. MEPs are allowed to get up and speak on any subject they like, for a couple of minutes or so. But there is no discussion between them. Yes, they can vote, but electronically, to order and often too rapidly to understand what they are voting for. Above the sham parliament is the unelected and unaccountable Commission where the real decisions are taken. Decisions such as “Northern Ireland must be the price for Brexit.”

    4. margaret howard
      April 14, 2019

      villaking

      Well said.

      I should also like to add that the major reason for its success is the fact that customers across the globe know they can rely on the high standards and reliability of goods which makes it the top trading partner for 80 countries. By comparison the US is the top trading partner for a little over 20 countries.

      It is also the world’s largest trading block of manufactured goods and services.

      But it is not just trade that have made it such an outstanding achievement.

      International polls also show that the EU is the most trusted major power bloc in the world having been awarded the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize based on the role it played in transforming most of Europe from a continent of war to one of peace and in the words of the Nobel committee:

      “the successful struggle for peace and reconciliation and for democracy and human rights”.

      1. Edward2
        April 15, 2019

        You should be able to get a job in the Ministry of Truth margaret after this propaganda piece.

        I reckon you think the future of the EU will bring about a socialist paradise for you.
        You dont realise it is an organisation run by and for the benefit of a global elite of big corporations and rich individuals.

  57. mancunius
    April 14, 2019

    Yes, why exactly would remainer MPs want to take an ÂŁ80,000 salary (far more if a minister) while determined to let a foreign power do the work of governance and legislation for which they are being paid?
    Not difficult to answer, that one. Next thing, they’ll want to stay at home and just skype and vote electronically.

  58. Mark Millward
    April 14, 2019

    The EU oligarchy is now transparently all-powerful and the United States of Europe dry-run on one-world government will continue unabated, barring unintended consequences arising from over-reach and a hoped-for collapse of their nefarious plans!

  59. Sharon Jagger
    April 14, 2019

    On Briefings for Brexit on Friday, a civil servant (writing under the pseudonym of Caroline Bell, wrote another piece explaining how the the PM’s talks with Labour are a feint. TM’s real plan is to get labour support after Easter for a second referendum which could lead to the cancellation of Brexit. Rumour is question would be a) stay with the current treaty or b) adopt the new treaty
    She also points out the customs union TM is discussing with Corbyn, is already in the backstop and the Political Declaration.

    D Ward from The Telegraph explains the following….
    The so called Withdrawal Agreement plans to set up Joint EU-UK Committees for every important part of our governance and in the case of any dispute where the EU part and the UK part cannot agree it can be put to the European Court of Justice to decide.  This means the UK team, if they are not Europhiles, can never win any debate against the EU side.
    The committee members are Political Managers (formerly Civil Servants) and the several committees are the Joint EU-UK Commission.  These will be the people who in future will formulate all our laws, regulations, and directives, many of which will emanate from the EU Commission.
     Parliament will only have to deal with inconsequential local issues.  If any issue is of more profound importance the UK Parliament will pass it up to the Joint Commission for consideration and formulation, so when it comes back down it only needs to be nodded through.
    The House of Lords will become in effect the UK Council discussing profound political issues before referring these also to the Joint Commission for consideration and legislation.
    Now it is clear what the Withdrawal Agreement intends.  It is to change the constitution of the UK into a model of the EU with a Council, a Commission, and an elected Parliament that gives the illusion of democracy.  It will have succeeded in separating the electorate from those who formulate our laws and over whom ‘the people’ have no control.
    The EU will have achieved probably the most decisive battle in the war to create a Global Environmental Socialist World Government by taking over the Mother of All Parliaments.

  60. APL
    April 14, 2019

    JR: “Why get yourself elected to a body designed to make laws and to influence government policy if you want our laws to be made across the Channel instead?”

    Bless you John Redwood you are either stupid or naive.

    You get yourself elected to the best paid job in the country, padded out by the most generous expenses, all guaranteed for five years. If you can get two terms, they you can retire at 55 with the best index linked pension in the country. Added bonus, if you can get on the administration payroll, and finally if your constituents realise they’ve been had, you get a golden good bye at the end of it.

    As demonstrated earlier this month, being a criminal doesn’t disbar you from Parliament.

    And the cherry on the ice cream? If you can get another body to actually make all the laws, then there is no, you know, actual work involved.

  61. Captain Peacock
    April 14, 2019

    Tory MPs are like lemmings following May over the cliff. Todays Daily Mail Tories to loose 60 seats because of May’s failure to deliver Brexit. Cant say I’m surprised she was prepared to destroy her party to keep the UK in the EU.
    Corbyn made ‘deputy prime minister’ was the last straw for me,

  62. A week in politics
    April 14, 2019

    If they were interested in the continuation of basic democracy they would act otherwise. Their activities seem to deliberately test and stretch the acceptability of living in a state which in undemocratic and devoid of Free Speech.
    We are in an economic boom period. Perhaps if they wish to do a stress-test on dictatorship they are out of time.The clock is ticking!

  63. Original Richard
    April 14, 2019

    Meanwhile at the Brexit meeting between the Conservatives & Labour :

    Con : “We’re agreed that we don’t want to have the EU MEP elections taking place as we don’t want anyone voting for and thus giving publicity to parties that actually want us to leave the EU ?”

    Lab : “Yes”.

    Con : “So why don’t you support the EU WA now so we can stop the elections in time ?”

    Lab : “Because we don’t want to be seen supporting a Tory Brexit and we need our voters to believe that we have been able to influence the WA/FR by insisting we remain in the CU/SM.”

    Con : “But you know very well that the WA is designed so that Brexit never actually happens and we remain in the CU/SM etc. The EU have agreed to just keep refusing to end the backstop with endless further demands until there is no difference between being in or out of the EU’s institutions. And the bonus is that we have no representation or veto.”

    Lab : “Exactly, so why don’t you agree to accept our requests that we remain in the CU/SM since this is the end result of the WA/FR anyway ?”

    Con : “Because we have to keep our muppets thinking the WA is Brexit and we are not going to be in a CU/SM until the treaty is signed and we have no means to lawfully exit. Being an international treaty BTW means that it is definitely Boris proof.”

    Lab : “Yes, great idea, but it doesn’t solve our problem that we don’t want to be seen supporting a Tory Brexit
.”

    Etc.

  64. Dominic
    April 14, 2019

    David Lammy is (unpleasant? ed) on a scale that exceeds all reasonable measurement. His comments today on Marr is an indication of what we can all expect if he and his noxious party achieve government

    The BBC, May and pro-EU Labour lackeys are coordinating their activities to slander, demonise and destroy Eurosceptic politicians and groups

    The ERG is composed of powerful politicians which begs the question as to why they can’t impose themselves in the way no-marks like Lammy, Marr and others like them are able to?

  65. Roy Grainger
    April 14, 2019

    Remainiac novelist Ian McEwan was in the Times yesterday telling us that one of the main benefits of being in the EU is we have high food standards. Odd how intellectuals can be quite so lacking in common sense.

  66. glen cullen
    April 14, 2019

    Sir John

    I implore you to visit and read the ‘’conservative’’ facebook page especially the responses and ask all your fellow MPs and the PM to do the same

    I would suggest that 99% of the respondents want a WTO exit and are angry that we haven’t left the EU yet

    The party isn’t just losing more than voters; its losing faith with the people and thats not easy it recover from

  67. Lucas
    April 14, 2019

    If you lived in a pretence world for years always telling yourselves about how great everything would be if we could only get rid of this awful foreign power that is the cause of all our troubles..day after day..reinforced by gutter press newspaper snide remarks and cheered on by ERG UKIP blockhead types all only out for their own career advancement..then yes..there will be a day of reckoning when you realize that things are not exactly as you were told they were..it could best be called a time of correction..and that is what a lot of people, especially the poorer marginalised simple minded people are beginning to wonder about now..at least that’s how its all seen from outside on the fringes..England itself is in meltdown..of course there are others like the DUP who would like to drag everything back to the seventeeth century and put barbed wire on the border but as much as they try to frustrate government in their endeavour they too will not succeed and along with the Tories will also pay the price at the polls..so then we have Scotland looking on in amazement..wow! All thinking If your bitter enemies tried to inflict this type of damage onnyou they would never ever be able to do as good a job as you’re doing to yourselves right now ..the only possible outcome of all of this will be England alone or Englands version of ‘Sinn Fein’ ourselves or ourselves alone..take your pick. Idiocy

  68. ukretired123
    April 14, 2019

    It’s interesting and refreshing to see Ireland is starting to see through the EU with an IREXIT poster stating:
    “EU membership means paying old men we didn’t elect to make EU laws we don’t need.”

    Communications director James Darby said: “We believe the best people to look after Irish affairs are the Irish people themselves.
    We will be making the case to be a normal, self-governing and independent state.

    “Something that those who came before us, sacrificed to create for the good of their children’s future.”
    The group maintains it is the only party that believes in Irish freedom and national sovereignty.
    No mention of economics just freedom from the EU as the priority.

    1. Mark B
      April 15, 2019

      Not surprised as they are no longer a recipient of FREE money but a contributor. And as more and more poorer countries join it will be forced to pay even more.

      Fun times ahead.

  69. Rhoddas
    April 14, 2019

    The incubation of the EU infection – the United States of Europe – has taken root over 40+ years, but the UK key patients appear addicted to the EU opiates, whether we can detox these poor Remainers is a moot point. We need to make the arguments more succinct and fundamental and indeed a little cold turkey will be needed and our WTO deal preparations should continue, but as everyone is saying, new LEADERSHIP is the URGENCY, therein lies the rub.

    As well as all the fine words, now is the time for Cathartic ACTION.

  70. Lindsay McDougall
    April 15, 2019

    The Conservative Party has to accept that until such time as it gets rid of Mrs May and the Remoaners, it is tarred with the brush. The prospect of spending ÂŁ109 million on unnecessary elections to the European parliament – and that is just State expenditure – is appalling. There must be a price to pay at the polls.

    Accordingly, I shall not be voting Conservative at either the local government election or – if it goes ahead – the European election.

    It is the job of you and your fellow Brexiteers to ensure that there is a General Election in the Autumn or ealier that is contested on the basis of Brexiteers vs the rest. I’ve made my suggestions as to how this could be done; now it’s up to you. Kate Hoey and Labour Leave are allies; Kenneth Clarke and Amber Rudd are enemies.

    We need an end to this rotten parliament and the election of a parliament in which opinion splits 52/48 in favour of Leave, one that is reflective of public opinion.

  71. Ian
    April 15, 2019

    Dear Sir John.
    Like the vast majority of your readers we are in agreement with what you say, and welcome what you say regarding those MPs who only support what the EU wants, but draw there pay from the people here.

    Look I am sorry but this is not going to change, the MPs we refer too are excepting the system, that being The Establishment rules !

    We have no Democricy in this Country now, and it has been decades since we did, hence our involvement with the EU.

    Like Jacob Ress Mogg and others, you are staying with The Party ?

    Democricy is not there, you will not change The Establishment.

    Democricy will only be found with Nigel Farage, never with The Establishment.

    Democricy is all the Majority want, unless you all change then the majority is always going to loose, if what they want differs from The Establishment view ?

  72. Ed Mahony
    April 15, 2019

    And the Catholic Church suffers from the opposite problem.

    Where the Catholic Church had absolutely no business at all getting involved in politics before and during the Reformation – and indeed at any time (except in extreme situations such as the rise of Nazism in Germany when ironically some / many Catholic bishops were rather quiet).

    The Catholic Church is just as much to blame for The Reformation. Not from the POV of doctrine (in my view) but from the POV of sticking its nose in political matters (which it NEVER had a moral mandate too) and not sorting out the significant corruption in the Church (one only has to read Chaucer’s brilliant Pardoner’s Tale to get an idea of the corruption in the Church).

    We Catholics also have to suffer more sackcloth and ashes for what Queen Mary I did to Protestants.
    And we need say loud and clear that ‘Catholic’ Phillip II was a tyrant when he sent his Armada and that ‘Catholic’ Guy Fawkes was a traitor and terrorist for what he did. I like to think I would have been the first to join Sir Francis Drake in defeating Philip II and the first to arrest Guy Fawkes. What they did and Queen Mary I undermines the spirit of Catholicism.
    I understand and sympathise why Protestants were spooked by Catholicism. We Catholics need to be big enough and humble enough to admit and apologise for getting some things terribly wrong.

    God bless England, God bless HM The Queen.

  73. David B
    April 15, 2019

    John,

    May I suggest the simplest change to VAT that will have a massive positive effect on the cash flow of small business and will significantly reduce VAT fraud.

    We stop charging VAT on all transactions between VAT registered business, organisations and government bodies.

    The net cost to the exchequer is zero, the benefits are the elimination of fraud and business no longer have to collect and pay VAT on all transactions.

  74. Alan Warhurst
    April 15, 2019

    I have a great deal of respect for you John, but I think you should stop fighting with your conscience, and join the Brexit Party.

  75. […] This article is from the website of John Redwood MP, evidently one of the few truly patriotic MPs in the UK Parliament. Please visit his website for more great articles. […]

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