How does the Prime Minister break free from his Parliamentary captors?

The Prime Minister has been taken hostage by Parliament. This Parliament has decided to oppose the people by denying us the result of our people’s vote. The Prime Minister threatened to implement the people’s view, so they decided to strip him of the power of his office to stop him. Revealing their true anti democratic nature they stopped him holding a general election to let the people reassert their will. This is surely the worst chapter in Parliament’s usually democratic story. It is quite wrong of Parliament to both prevent a government governing and to refuse an election to choose a new government. It is Parliament against the people.

It is something worse than this. It is deliberately placing UK government entirely under the control of EU government. The PM is hostage to stop him taking us out of the EU. He is hostage to stop him negotiating from a position of strength with the EU. He is hostage so the EU can pass any law, make any legal judgement, make any financial demand it wishes and a weak UK will have  to obey and pay.

So what are the Prime Minister’s options from here?

He should obey the law, but he should expect Parliament to pass laws according to our rules and conventions and not to abuse the legislative powers it holds.

He should not resign. Resigning would give the EU faction what they want, control of the executive as well as of Parliament. They would delay an election and seek to make it even more difficult for us to leave the EU.

He should mount the case that Parliament legislated to keep us in unreasonably.  It overturned the need for a Money resolution and Queens consent. It is seeking to make a law out of a political instruction to a Prime Minister it refuses to remove from office by voting him out. If Parliament does not like the government’s use of its powers, then it has to vote it out of office. It has refused to even consider a No confidence vote followed by an election if the opposition wins. The PM should not back down from his refusal to ask for another extension to our membership for no obvious helpful purpose.

The Prime Minister needs to seek an early election. He could on Monday try to amend the Fixed Term Parliament Act as that would only require a simple majority, not a two thirds majority.There could then be sufficient decent individual Opposition MPs who would support, seeing the damage delay is doing to Parliament and to their parties reputation with voters other than those wedded to the EU. There is the issue of whether that could invite worse amendments. It would need to have very narrow scope to avoid amendments that seek to change the franchise or undertake other constitutional changes, so once again lawyers and arguments over procedure would need to precede tabling  anything.

He should rally the country against those MPs and parties who have created this mess. He should urge other member states to deny any move to delay the UK’s exit further, making clear that the UK forced to stay in the EU against the will of the people is not in their interests any more than ours. How can the EU proceed when one of its largest members has no intention of joining the Euro, no intention of helping pay for the Euro scheme  and no wish to support any of the necessary moves to greater political union?

317 Comments

  1. Stephen Priest
    September 8, 2019

    Just imagine the jealousy in Corbyn’s eyes if Boris is carted off to prison.

    All his life Corbyn would dreamt of being some sort of martyr to his cause, then an Old Etonian Tory beats him to it.

    1. Denis Cooper
      September 8, 2019

      🙂

    2. Hope
      September 8, 2019

      Ignore the bill and ask the Queen to veto it. The county cannot have MPs colluding with the EU to ask for another extension, per papers today, which has no mandate from the electorate and is contrary to law to leave under article 50. Nor do these traitors have a mandate, right or authority to negotiate on behalf of the country with the EU!

      Con Woman, Part two of Lt Gen Johnathan Riley’s article how Mayhab has sold our country out giving our security, defence and intelligence to the EU and some unelected commissioner! JR, this needs to be addressed ASAP. Exposing Mayhab and her cabal under her dishonest Kitkat policy to hide ties and costs to the EU.

      Jeremy Corbyn and his cabal of etc ed s, including the 22 who lost the whip, must be kept out of Downing Street at all costs.

      1. Richard
        September 8, 2019

        Since HoC didn’t obtain Royal Consent & other arguable procedural shortcomings, Boris surely has good grounds to advise that Royal Assent should be withheld.

        Does Royal Assent nullify the lack of Royal Consent? I’m no lawyer, but a quick google suggests no: they are separate hurdles? https://everipedia.org/wiki/lang_en/Queen%2527s_Consent/

    3. Leaver
      September 8, 2019

      We need to tread carefully.

      If Boris can ignore parliament, then Corbyn can too – and then we really are in trouble. I fear he will use this example to implement his Marxist agenda because it is the will of the people being denied by a treacherous parliament.

      I fear us not leaving. I fear Corbyn more.

      1. L Jones
        September 8, 2019

        Leaver: It’s not Corbyn, though, is it? He’s just a puppet, a useful idiot. It’s the sinister people who are pulling his strings who are the ones we should fear.

        1. libertarian
          September 9, 2019

          L Jones

          Spot on you are very right

    4. NickC
      September 8, 2019

      Stephen, A majority voted for independence according to the law laid down by Parliament. So I now have a right to be free of the EU, as do we all. Any extension of the TEU Art50 process deprives me of the rights to freedom and to democracy. As well as making me subject to new EU law, without an explicit vote in Parliament, contrary to Miller.

      Not only does the Benn-Burt bill fly in the face of accepted Parliamentary procedures and conventions (and therefore is legally questionable), it also curtails our established rights. Moreover, it has the peculiarity of seemingly being addressed to only one person. So if Boris were to ignore the Remains demand, it would presumably end up in the courts. I am not convinced Boris would lose and be dragged off.

      There is the other point that since Remains have ignored our vote, why shouldn’t we ignore their vote? Or is it that only Remain votes count?

      1. Denis Cooper
        September 8, 2019

        It is addressed to the Prime Minister, not to Boris Johnson.

        1. NickC
          September 9, 2019

          Denis Cooper, Indeed. As I said it is “seemingly … addressed to only one person”. That person is the PM whoever s/he is. Who happens to be Boris Johnson at the moment.

          1. Denis Cooper
            September 9, 2019

            Not for much longer, if he has even a shred of honour.

            And, no, since he repeatedly and unequivocally promised that he would never request an extension it would not cut it to request an extension and then immediately cancel his request,

  2. Pominoz
    September 8, 2019

    Sir John,

    Boris should simply refuse to write to the EU. The law which has been passed by traitors in collusion with the EU is treason of the highest order. No Prime Minister should be forced to facilitate the wishes of traitors.

    What are the consequences for Boris?. Firstly, how long would it take to get the matter before the courts? Is it possible to se that any court action is delayed, then appealed, then appealed again? If Boris is eventually found guilty, will we already be out of the EU? What is the likely sentence?

    If Boris ends up in prison, he will become a martyr for democracy. If any sentence is minimal – i.e. insufficient to bar him from future political activity, his actions will se an impressive Conservative revival and hopefully he can then be reinstated as P.M.

    All highly technical – but treason must be thwarted.

    1. Pominoz
      September 8, 2019

      And surely the courts of this great country cannot rule for treason and against democracy !

    2. Martin in Cardiff
      September 8, 2019

      It’s not treason. It is, as a matter of plain fact, our sovereign Parliament defending itself from despotism and from the abuse of procedure.

      Your opinion – and that’s all it is – is nonsense.

      1. Fred H
        September 8, 2019

        despotism? — you are ridiculous.

      2. NickC
        September 8, 2019

        Martin, Your opinion – and that’s all it is – is nonsense. In the EU our Parliament is not sovereign – EU law over rules our UK Parliament (Decl 17), as I keep having to remind you. And in a real democracy the people are sovereign, not Parliament.

        We voted to Leave in a legal national binary Referendum. MPs cannot go around just discarding the votes they don’t agree with. That is a very slippery slope. And collusion with a foreign power (Hammond’s legal “advice” from the EU) to defeat the stated policies of HMG is treason by definition.

        1. Martin in Cardiff
          September 8, 2019

          Yes, Nick, arguably the UK is not a very good democracy, but its Constitution has served us for centuries and Leavers are usually the first to defend it.

          European Union law must always be ratified by Parliament, and it only applies to really quite limited, Treaty-defined areas of law anyway.

          1. NickC
            September 9, 2019

            Martin, False. EU Regulations are not ratified in the UK Parliament. Nor are Decisions. Nor CJEU judgements.

            Only EU Directives are “ratified” – by being converted into UK law. But even in those instances the UK has no choice but to obey, other than the option of leaving. Which you may have noticed we voted for but which Remain MPs have overturned.

          2. libertarian
            September 9, 2019

            Martin in Cardiff

            Oh my word, day after day you come on here posting nonsense , none of it researched or checked . You demonstrate repeatedly that you haven’t got a clue what you voted for

            From the EUROPEAN UNION website

            Regulations

            Regulations are legal acts that apply automatically and uniformly to all EU countries as soon as they enter into force, without needing to be transposed into national law. They are binding in their entirety on all EU countries.

            Thats why the EU issues Directives rather than laws precisely because they are not passed by individual parliaments

            You really ought to toddle off and find out about more about how things actually work .

        2. Denis Cooper
          September 8, 2019

          It is because the referendum Act did not say what should ensue from a vote to leave the EU that it could be construed as only advisory.

          Reply No it cannot. The government was clear in Hansard and in the letter to every voter!

          1. Denis Cooper
            September 9, 2019

            Yet it was so construed by Remoaners.

      3. Christine
        September 9, 2019

        Our sovereign parliament would be within its rights IF it declared a vote of no CONFIDENCE and went for election. But they didnt. They refused, thus declaring by definition full confidence in government

        How can you call boris johnson a despot when it is HE that is asking for the electorate to decide and PARLIAMENT that is refusing YOU your right to A VOTE?

        This comment is contradictory.

        You basically just said, control of government has been seized by people not elected to govern, to stop a “despot” who wants a democratic election, and are refusing to hold a democratic election.

        Lol who’s the despots again?

        This isnt about brexit. Forget that fir a moment and look at what they are actually doing.

        You, one day may be on the receiving end.

        Just imagine, labour won the election in 2017 with a minority and had a coalition with snp. They promise a deal or to revoke article 50. It’s all going ahead and looks like we wont leave.

        Then the opposition band together, take control with the help of the speaker, pass a law that forces Corbyn to repeal the economy act 1972 and send it in one week from today. Immediately cancelling our membership of the EU.

        He disagrees, and says let the people decide, they say no. No election. No vote.

        Tell me, on a scale of 1-1 million, how angry would you be.

      4. libertarian
        September 9, 2019

        Martin in C

        Our parliament also voted by a considerable majority to trigger A50 without a deal

        Game set and match I believe

    3. Hope
      September 8, 2019

      JR, your last point about no wish in joining moves for greater political union is incorrect. Hence my previous comments about Mayhab dishonest sell out of our securit, defence and intelligence to the EU even when we leave! Let Gen Riley is clear in his article what has and is happening. It must be stopped. Is Raab/Wallace going to stop it?Robbins’ subordinate was caught on tape by the Sun exposing their dishonest intention to hide true ties and costs to the EU. Were they rogue or acting for Mayhab through Robbins? A judicial investigation is required. Mayhab has is not above the law either.

  3. Shirley
    September 8, 2019

    Parliament has been conspiring against the electorate (and democracy) for a very long time, since 1973.

    What protections do we have against a rogue Parliament? It seems all our protections have been watered down, or removed altogether.

    We need a clean sweep, but how do we get it? It appears the Remainers control most of the MSM, and they will smear any political opponent. They can’t evade a GE forever, so watch out for more dirty tricks in order to neuter the Brexiters. No dirty deed is too dirty for the Remainers.

    1. Hope
      September 8, 2019

      Trivia corner: useless disloyal Rudd resigns. She has a majority of 346, acts against manifesto to defy the will of the people, fails to comply with cabinet responsibility and writes an article in the papaaer with Gaulk- Mayhab still did not sack them both but went to watch cricket with Gaulk. Truly outraged- right, put in high office which she has proven to be incapable of holding i.e. Windrush scandal and losing 56,000 illegal immigrants, failing to keep borders secure where one terrorist of the Manchester bombing walked in and out at will, highest knife crime and murder rate for forty years! Sad loss, I think not.

  4. Martin in Cardiff
    September 8, 2019

    As you often say, John, your headline is silly melodramatic language.

    No one is above the law, that’s all.

    It would be an outrage if it were otherwise.

    1. Grahame ASH
      September 8, 2019

      And the law was to leave (that was on the referendum paper not leave with a deal) .

      How come you and the majority of MPs don’t understand the english language

      1. Martin in Cardiff
        September 8, 2019

        Nor did it say leave with no deal.

        Your silly case is utterly groundless.

        1. M Davis
          September 8, 2019

          Leave means leave, NO ifs, NO buts! END OF! Or are you too thick to understand that?

        2. libertarian
          September 8, 2019

          MiC

          What do you want a deal for? Why do we need a deal? To do what exactly ?

        3. NickC
          September 9, 2019

          Martin, No method of leaving was prohibited, provided the UK actually fully departs from the EU, abrogating the EU treaties. A “no deal”** was one of the options of Leave, as discussed during the Referendum campaign by Cameron, Hammond, Batten, etc.
          **”No deal” – the EU has itself refused to discuss a trade deal; and nowhere in the legal documents – the EU Referendum Act 2015, the ballot paper, or TEU Art50 is leaving without a WA prohibited – indeed the Art50 specifically mentions leaving without a WA.

    2. mancunius
      September 8, 2019

      Which ‘law’, pray, and whose confected ‘outrage’? This pseudo-Bill, the fantasy concoction of a few hours of parliamentary mob rule, has not been ratified, and is not yet law.
      It obviously restricts the government’s ability to negotiate in a treaty matter, which means it has also restricted Crown Privilege. Such a Bill needs Queen’s Consent before Third Reading.
      The Speaker has refused to request Queen’s Consent and has also refused to reveal what he claims to have been his legal advice to have done so. Nobody can see any basis for such legal advice that contradicts Erskine May.
      The monarch has no reason to ratify it, particularly when advised not to do so by her government.

    3. Narrow Shoulders
      September 8, 2019

      For once I concur Martin.

      That of course includes the speaker.

    4. NickC
      September 8, 2019

      Martin, I suppose it is to be expected that you would make excuses for the despots in Parliament as they discard our Leave vote.

  5. Mark B
    September 8, 2019

    Good morning, and good God !

    What a bloody mess. One can almost draw parallels with the American Revolution and Cromwell’s dissolution of parliament. We have a nation that wants to free itself and a parliament that is, quite frankly, unfit for purpose. You have an opposition that wants power, but not just yet, and who, upon getting said power, will renegotiate with the EU and agree terms, that said opposition would oppose in a referendum. This is absolutely bloody ridiculous !

    So what are the Prime Minister’s options from here?

    Simple ! Slash and burn. Go after the Labour Client State. Because of the extension and the fact that there is no Money Bill, there will have to be cuts to Services and support to the Regions to pay for it. Take a large chunk out from the money we send to the Scots. The Tories are not going to win big there and the SNP will get the blame for their stance on the EU. You love the EU SNP you pay for it ! Oh ! and promise them another referendum. 😉

    End postal voting – period !

    The proposed extra money for the NHS and police will put on hold or, perhaps, even canceled. This is due to having to pay the EU after the Leaving date and you can blame the opposition for that.

    It has refused to even consider a No confidence vote . . .

    The Fixed Term Parliaments Act allows parliament to vote for confidence in the government. If enough Tory and other MP’s can vote that they do not have confidence in the government, then the PM can set a date for a GE. Again, offer the SNP a second referendum if they agree to help.

    It is time the Tory party became that which it was so wrongly accused of – being nasty. But this time it can blame Labour because they are frit.

  6. Tabulazero
    September 8, 2019

    How can the EU proceed when one of its largest members has no intention of joining the Euro, no intention of helping pay for the Euro scheme and no wish to support any of the necessary moves to greater political union?

    The same way it has been going on for the past 40 years. It is not as if the UK has never been the awkward member of the group, after 40 years of red line, tantrums and ultimatums.

    Europe will manage. Thank you for your concern.

    1. mancunius
      September 8, 2019

      Manage? I think not. Not when its entire budget is vetoed. :-))

      1. Tabulazero
        September 8, 2019

        Been tried (by France actually) and did not work. When there is a will there is always a way.

    2. NickC
      September 8, 2019

      Tabulazero, That is because the EU first stole our fish, then stole our money, then chose a dirigiste customs union rather than Thatcher’s sensible free market, and finally decided the UK should be “a colony”. What do expect? – that we’d stand around and applaud??

      1. Tabulazero
        September 8, 2019

        How do you intend to run a sensible free market without the latter being a level playing field and making sure they is no protectionism measures cleverly hidden in some accessory piece of legislation.

        1. libertarian
          September 9, 2019

          Tabulazero

          Er you might want to research what a free market is…

  7. Richard1
    September 8, 2019

    Parliament versus the people. Boris versus the Marxist chlorinated chicken. I can see the shape of the campaign and that should do the trick. No wonder Labour aren’t keen!

  8. Peter Wood
    September 8, 2019

    Good Morning,

    Sir John, ‘ … rally the country against those MP’s…..’ are you suggesting the PM leads the 17.4 million that want out onto the streets?

    If yes, then count me in!

    1. Martin in Cardiff
      September 8, 2019

      That’s an awful lot of Portaloos that you’ll need.

    2. Fedupsoutherner
      September 8, 2019

      Peter, yes, what a fantastic day it would be. Count me in too.

    3. Timaction
      September 8, 2019

      +1

  9. Alan jutson
    September 8, 2019

    Perhaps Boris should write his own letter to the EU saying whilst he has been told to ask for an extension he sees absolutely no point if they are not prepared to modify their demands and negotiate in a more flexible manner
    Given nothing has been agreed or moved forward in 6 months he thinks that a further extension is pointless in the circumstances
    Thus let them decide to throw us out
    Three times Parliament has voted against what is on offer at the moment and this supports his statement

    1. Alan jutson
      September 8, 2019

      Something wrong with this suggestion John ?

  10. Will Jones
    September 8, 2019

    Surely he can just veto the extension as a member of the European Council that grants it? Alternatively he could make the request in a completely unreasonable way.

  11. Gill Scott
    September 8, 2019

    The purpose of voting to leave the EU was to empower our sovereign Parliament. It turns out you are in favour of Parliament, until it has a settled majority view which is different from yours. Then, like a toddler denied sweeties, you throw a tantrum. This post is an utter disgrace, the ranting of a man who does not understand the very foundation of our country’s democratic traditions, which is the sovereignty of Parliament. The PM is not “hostage” to Parliament, he is subject to Parliament,s review, and rightly so – my ancestors died to put power in Parliament, not in dictators

    1. Fred H
      September 8, 2019

      If Parliament wished to curtail or remove a PM, there is a perfectly good vote of No Confidence. If found agreed, then a GE would be called. For opposition forces NOT to call a vote it makes mockery of democratic foundations.
      When a PM cannot achieve any proposal they are surely a hostage.

    2. Shirley
      September 8, 2019

      No, we wished to have sovereignty returned to the UK and it’s electorate. Sovereignty of the people is a protection against politicians wishing to deliver us into a Supranational government without electoral consent. Refusal to allow a GE is further proof that Parliament does not want democracy to ‘get in the way’.

    3. A.Sedgwick
      September 8, 2019

      Naive in the extreme – there is a conspiracy, now clearly assembled, to remain in the EU.

    4. Otto
      September 8, 2019

      Gill Scott – did your ancestors die to put power into Brussels too?

    5. NickC
      September 8, 2019

      Gill, In a democracy sovereignty resides with the people, not Parliament: demos = people, kratos = power. In a representative democracy our representatives are not delegates and may use their judgement in most cases.

      However for the specific case of a legal national (binary) referendum, set up by Parliament itself, with a government distributed booklet containing the promise to implement what the people choose, MPs put themselves in the position of being merely the executors of the people’s decision.

      Except for the dishonourable Remain MPs, of course, who are discarding our Leave vote, but who would not have discarded a Remain vote.

    6. M Davis
      September 8, 2019

      Gill Scott

      The purpose of voting to leave the EU was to empower our sovereign Parliament to do what the MAJORITY of the people voted for. MY ancestors died for this Country to be FREE!

  12. William1995
    September 8, 2019

    Isn’t another option for the government to table a no confidence motion in itself? If they lose that, won’t that trigger an election?

    1. William1995
      September 8, 2019

      As a side note, in a week of depressing vitriol from the self-loving remoaners in Parliament, it is fantastic to finally have a leader taking bold decisions and holding steady. Keep going Boris, I say!

    2. NickC
      September 8, 2019

      William, A lost vote of no confidence allows any other party 14 days to form a new government. The Remains now have a decided majority, so could form a Remain government.

  13. Martyn G
    September 8, 2019

    It is not HE but WE that are hostages to the EU, which can pass any law, make any legal judgement and make any financial demand it wishes until we leave.
    The despicable plotters have reinforced the UK Parliament remaining fully subservient to the EU, the only question being what are their reasons for doing so?

    1. Longinus
      September 8, 2019

      £££

  14. Mick
    September 8, 2019

    How does the Prime Minister break free from his Parliamentary captors?
    He sticks to his guns, the mps who keep jumping ship are doing the job of the people by draining the swamp before a General Election , now is the time Sir John that your loyalty to your fellow MPs and Tory Party that if possible let us know why a lot of these politicians don’t really want leave the Eu and go against the will of the people it’s got to be financial some way or other

  15. eeyore
    September 8, 2019

    With alarm at my own temerity, I beg to differ for once from Sir John. Boris is not Parliament’s captive. It is his.

    A Churchill scholar, he will need no reminding of the maxim, “In defeat, defiance”.

    Wise rulers never make martyrs. Boris the Brexit Martyr will be a potent figure indeed.

  16. oldtimer
    September 8, 2019

    I agree with your post 100%. The government should take on the opposition by all means available. Let us hope that BJ has the physical and mental fortitude to see it through. The stresses and strains on him will be immense. There will be more resignations, no doubt. These will reinforce his case for an election. But it is also obvious that his election as party leader by a convincing majority of members, after a long and thorough campaign, was based on the reality that the Conservative party faced an existential crisis if it failed to deliver Brexit. His opposition understand that too. They see an opportunity not only to frustrate Brexit but also to destroy the Conservative party. Most voters don’t care about the Conservative party but they do care about honouring the referendum result.

  17. Peter van LEEUWEN
    September 8, 2019

    I’m out for a few months, good luck with solving your brexit.

    1. Fred H
      September 8, 2019

      Bye.

    2. eeyore
      September 8, 2019

      Peter is a courteous and informed voice from the other camp. He contributes much to the discussion here. Thanks for your good wishes Peter, and enjoy the break.

      1. NickC
        September 8, 2019

        Eeyore, Well, I find him snide and pompous, with rather less knowledge of the UK and our politics than he cares to admit. I assume we’ll be graced by some other low-grade EU apparatchik standing in for him for a few weeks.

      2. Jiminyjim
        September 8, 2019

        Eeyore, he is always courteous, but never informed. Like most Remainers on this site, completely uninformed.

    3. libertarian
      September 8, 2019

      PvL

      Thanks Peter, hope all is ok with you and we will see you back in future

    4. Martin in Cardiff
      September 8, 2019

      Have a successful time, Peter.

      We’ll miss your reminders, of what it’s like to live in a normal, sane country.

      1. Fred H
        September 8, 2019

        you are too critical about Wales, I like it!

      2. libertarian
        September 8, 2019

        Marty

        Wales is a lovely country , dont knock it

      3. NickC
        September 8, 2019

        Martin, There is no saner nation than one determined to exercise its human right of self-determination.

        1. Martin in Cardiff
          September 8, 2019

          Like Scotland wants to do, after the “Pledge” betrayal?

          Yes, can’t say that I blame them at all.

      4. libertarian
        September 8, 2019

        Marty

        According to the LSE the Netherlands is the 5th most Eurosceptic country . In what way is it any saner than the UK ?

    5. Fedupsoutherner
      September 8, 2019

      Pvl, you won’t be missed

    6. Timaction
      September 8, 2019

      Good.

  18. steadyeddie
    September 8, 2019

    The Prime Minister has brought this on himself. There is no clear mandate in the country for ‘no deal’ and if he thought it was the right strategy he should have put it to Parliament for a free vote. He is in position by the support of 100000 Tory members, hardly democratic. Have a GE and we will, possibly, have a clearer picture…. then again maybe not!

    1. NickC
      September 8, 2019

      Steadyeddie, Do you think that if you keep repeating the nonsense that there is no mandate for a (misnamed) “no deal”, you’ll actually begin to believe your own propaganda?

      Actually, not only does TEU Art50 allow us to leave without a WA, but Leave itself must encompass the possibility of leaving with no WA, otherwise Leave could be stymied at any time. As indeed the Benn bill does.

    2. John C.
      September 8, 2019

      Has any PM been voted in? Answer, no. So presumably they’ve all been usurpers?

  19. RAF
    September 8, 2019

    Sir John, one could have a tad more respect for people involved in a putsch than for this Remain cabal. At least with the former one would know their intentions even though despising their means.
    The Remain faction are cowards of the first order because they will not declare clearly what their objective is, although it is obvious to anyone who takes an interest in politics that their intention is to stop us leaving the EU by cancelling, one way or another, the Referendum result.
    Hiding behind their specious argument of Parliamentary sovereignty when their endgame is the very opposite i.e. entangling the UK within the EU forever, is hypocrisy writ large. It’s clear that Corbyn and his fellow travellers in this sordid deed are scared of the people and are prepared to deal with the EU to try and achieve their ends rather than appeal to the electorate for a mandate.
    Nigel Evans interviewed on LBC this morning declared that Labour’s support is falling. Surely it is time for Boris Johnson to ally himself and the Conservative Party with Nigel Farage and the Brexit Party to present a united Leaver front that is capable of sweeping the Remain faction away.

  20. DaveM
    September 8, 2019

    Never mind the PM. The whole country has been taken hostage by Parliament for the past 2 years. It’s almost beyond belief.

    1. Fred H
      September 8, 2019

      exactly.

  21. Anonymous
    September 8, 2019

    He breaks himself (us) free from his (our) captors by getting himself imprisoned and showing the world what the EU has become.

    Gawan Andy.

    Start putting people in prison. See what happens.

  22. Bryan Harris
    September 8, 2019

    Considering that prorogation of Parliament appears to have given no advantage to the government and achieved nothing – except for stirring up the hornets nest and stimulating them to act – one has to wonder what is the government’s strategy?
    We hope Boris has something in mind.
    Not being an expert on Parliamentary procedure, it is hard to come up with suggestions for the PM – Yes by all means keep making it clear to voters just how badly remainers have skewed Parliamentary authority to deny us a real future as a sovereign state…. He needs to speak quite slowly for this to reach all of those with hearing difficulties , (Those that don’t want to listen), and he needs to be very precise in describing the antics against the British people.

    1. Denis Cooper
      September 8, 2019

      He should cancel his trip to Dublin to supplicate the Mighty Varadkar and instead ask Her Majesty to release him from his present position as her Prime Minister, with the final advice that she appoint the Leader of the Opposition as his successor.

      1. Fedupsoutherner
        September 8, 2019

        What???

        1. Denis Cooper
          September 8, 2019

          As the Leader of the Opposition has shown that he can now command a Commons majority he is the obvious choice to become Prime Minister after the present Prime Minister has done the only honourable thing he can do and tendered his resignation.

          1. Fred H
            September 8, 2019

            hands up who wants Corbyn as PM?

          2. Bryan Harris
            September 9, 2019

            The leader of the opposition and his fellow traitors have shown they are unfit to even be in Parliament and should fall on their swords…. When a parliaments stops representing what people want then it is no longer a Parliament but a dictatorship

          3. NickC
            September 9, 2019

            Denis, That is true. Unfortunately.

  23. Everhopeful
    September 8, 2019

    Tories apparently 14 points ahead of Labour.
    Boris must be doing something right!
    He seems to be leaving no stone unturned and seeing a man acting like a man with courage and authority is like a shot in the arm.
    Wonderful how he got rid of the 21 anti brits.
    He actually does appear to be draining the swamp.
    Fingers crossed.
    All power to Boris!

    1. Fedupsoutherner
      September 8, 2019

      Hear, hear. It might look negative to him when he gears the pro remain BBC news but he had a lot of support from us Brexiteers. Well done Boris. Up em and at em.

      1. Fedupsoutherner
        September 8, 2019

        Hears and has for above post.

  24. Kevin
    September 8, 2019

    To quote Montesquieu on government powers and the separation there-
    of: “When the legislative and executive powers are united…in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty” (Spirit of the Laws). Do MPs want to
    make an international spectacle of themselves trying to imprison a P.M. for
    yielding to a democratic vote as the Government had pledged?

  25. mickc
    September 8, 2019

    You are wrong. Johnson should quite simply not comply with the law which has been passed.
    Let the cards lie where they fall….

    1. Martin in Cardiff
      September 8, 2019

      If he breached an injunction to obey it, then he would likely go to prison, and that would be quite correct for Contempt Of Court.

      1. eeyore
        September 8, 2019

        He would remain PM in his cell until the House voted him out and another person in.

      2. Iain Gill
        September 8, 2019

        The queen can never be in contempt of court.

      3. mickc
        September 8, 2019

        An injunction has first to be obtained. There would first have to be an order that he comply.
        Presumably the legality of the “law” would be brought into the argument thereby extending proceedings.
        Much room for lengthy prevarication…

  26. Julie Williams
    September 8, 2019

    Johnson should tell Parliament that he is blocking the bill for the following reasons:

    – As someone on this forum pointed out yesterday, Parliament cannot both force him to action whilst refusing a VONC, our constitution was not made in wonderland and honourable members are not required to believe several contradictory things before breakfast.

    -Contrary to the Speakers ruling, both a money bill and Queens Consent are required (there must be a lot of highly paid lawyers who can trot out precedents) and if the Speaker and colleagues disagree, the government will see them in court to consider “xxxxxxxx to Brexit” car stickers and things that the Speaker has said on record.Let them out their money where their mouth is.

    -He could then remind the honourable gentlemen of the opposition of the times when Wilson and Jeremy’s favourite, Blair blocked proceeding as precedent.

    Given past jeering, he’ll probably need a megaphone.

    I’m thinking that Johnson and Cummings are actually gambling big to win a trifecta: Brexit, Conservative majority (real conservatives) and stunting the Brexit Party. Let’s hope that they aren’t being too clever for our own good,
    The opposition aren’t as clever as they think, see Thornberry, for example but they may have had a little help from their friends.

  27. Andy
    September 8, 2019

    Dangerous nonsense.

    This Parliament was elected by the people AFTER the referendum.

    It has – despite the better judgement of most of its members – repeatedly backed Brexit.

    But it has insisted that we leave with a deal.

    A deal was promised by Vote Leave in 2016.

    Labour specifically ruled out no deal in its 2017 manifesto. The SNP and Lib Dems always opposes Brexit.

    Your party – and you – campaigned in 2017 on a manifesto which pledged you would work for a smooth and orderly transition – and which said we would maintain a deep and special partnership with the EU. It starts on page 35 if you would like to re-read what you promised your constituents. Incidentally it comes immediately after the ‘Our Precious Union’ section – which Brexiteers appear to have completely forgotten.

    Brexiteers have repeatedly failed to deliver their promises and, so, they lie instead. Brexit would have been done by now if Brexiteers had voted for it. But they defied the people – again.

    Reply I campaigned on a Manifesto which said No deal is better than a bad deal, and No deal will work fine. The EU and Mrs May only offered a bad deal.

    1. Shirley
      September 8, 2019

      Reply to reply: No Remainer has explained how they intend to get a ‘good’ deal. They appear to want a ‘deal’ that keeps us in the EU, which goes against their own votes, their own promises, and the manifesto under which they were elected. They are not trustworthy.

    2. hefner
      September 8, 2019

      Sir John, I have just brought back the 88 pages of “Forward Together, our plan for a stronger Britain and a prosperous future, CUP Manifesto General Elections 2017″ from my computer ‘vault’.
      Not on page 6, section 2 ‘Brexit and the changing world”, nor in p35-37 appears this thingy that you might have had in your personal manifesto (notice the m). For such an important statement you must know where it stands in the official CUP document.
      I would love to be wrong and you to tell me where in the official CUP Manifesto these references to “No deal being better than a bad deal” are located.

      Or do I have to conclude you tricked your voters in GE’17 as you are now trying to trick/treat your readers today?

      Reply P 36 of the Manifesto repeats No deal us better than a bad deal so do stop the lies

      Reply Mrs May as leader oft repeated No deal us better than a bad deal as did I

      1. dixie
        September 8, 2019

        @hefner – The full sentence on pp35-36 of the CUP Manifesto (my emphasis) is;
        “The negotiations will undoubtedly be tough, and there will be give and take on both sides, but we continue to believe that no deal is better than a bad deal for the UK. But we will enter the negotiations in a spirit of sincere cooperation and committed to getting the best deal for Britain.”

        If it’s on your computer as a pdf it is very easy to search for “no deal”, no effort at all really.

        Do yo accept that the CUP Manifesto makes that statement and you are wrong?

        1. hefner
          September 9, 2019

          Yes, I do.

      2. David Taylor
        September 9, 2019

        It is indeed in the manifesto on the page stated , I also heard Mrs May make the statement ” No deal is better than a bad deal for the UK” , several times on the TV news reports and I assumed that to mean ultimately , Mrs May would lead the UK out of the EU and continue to negotiate the future relationship with the EU as a non member .

    3. graham1946
      September 8, 2019

      Here’s a fact Andy – not that you are interested in facts:

      Vote Leave is not and was not the government – it could not make a deal, it just expected the EU to be sensible in both their and our interests. No-one expected the EU to want to damage its own interests or to be petty and spiteful. Small men in big jobs.
      The government sent a leaflet to every household stating their Remain position and said it was our decision and the would implement what we decided. They lost. Cameron ran away from it even though he promised to do it the next day.

    4. Otto
      September 8, 2019

      Andy – ‘A deal was promised by Vote Leave in 2016.’

      Is a Vote Leave ‘promise’ legally binding?

      1. Fred H
        September 8, 2019

        Labour manifesto promised to support LEAVE – is it legally binding?

        1. graham1946
          September 8, 2019

          Apparently manifestos are not worth the paper they are written on – but then we already knew that from past politicians antics didn’t we? A politician’s promise is one of the three most useless things in the world.

        2. Andy
          September 8, 2019

          Labour’s manifesto ruled out no deal.

          1. Edward2
            September 9, 2019

            And then they rejected the only “deal” the EU offered three times.

    5. Martyn G
      September 8, 2019

      I do you the courtesy of responding in a sensible manner, though I doubt that it will have the slightest impact on your somewhat warped idealism. Here is another benefit of staying within the EU. Benefit not, of course to the UK or, in this case seabirds.

      Puffins and other seabirds are unable to feed their young after Danish vessels stripped British waters of sand eels worth up to £80m. The Danes control 94% of the quota for UK sand eels and last year persuaded the EU to let them increase their annual take from 82,000 to 458,000 tons a year – a 5.5-fold increase of stripping UK waters of sand eels.
      A fisheries consultant has said: “They know Brexit is coming and they are determined to get as much as they can in case Britain ends the fishery.”
      There is growing evidence that seabird colonies are being wiped out, especially kittiwakes and puffins. In this century the sand eel stock has collapsed with Denmark allowed only 82,000 tons in 2016. Seabird numbers fell, too, but in 2017 Denmark’s fisheries minister persuaded the EU to allow a 5.5-fold increase in sand eel catches.
      Most of the catch, taken around Dogger Bank in the North Sea, was crushed into fishmeal for Denmark’s intensive salmon, mink and livestock farms.
      The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds fears that seabirds such as puffins and kittiwakes, which rely on sand eels to feed their young, face a disaster because so few eels remain. The charity has urged Michael Gove, the environment secretary, to use Brexit to “take back control” and end the reign of the Danish trawlers. “We favour a total ban on fishing of sand eels and other forage fish species like sprat, which seabirds use as an alternative to sand eel in the UK part of the North Sea,” said Euan Dunn, principal marine adviser of the RSPB.
      So, there you are, constant, untold benefits arising from our membership of the EU….

  28. A.Sedgwick
    September 8, 2019

    The Speaker is a prime culprit in this mess. He is too keen to kick the ball rather than blow the whistle.

  29. Simeon
    September 8, 2019

    Sir John,

    This is desperate stuff. This is a mess of Boris Johnson’s own making. If he’d had the wit and guts he could have had the GE he needs to deliver Brexit on time. But he doesn’t. There is also plenty of good reason to believe that his aim all along was to get some kind of deal that was less of a surrender to the EU than May’s deal, believing this was the best way to unite the Conservative party, or at least as much of it as possible. You and your ERG colleagues were duped, and you should have seen BJ a mile off. So you too are culpable. Perhaps the one respect in which the Conservative party is United is in the blame they, you, all deserve for this mess.

    Of course the Remainers are anti-democratic, and their behaviour is just as shameful and pathetic in attempting to use Parliamentary tricks to further their agenda. But all this was so predictable. The fact is that ‘no deal’ was never going to happen without the people empowering new MPs to implement it. The BJ/Cummings ‘plan’ is a joke, if we can still talk about it in the present tense. I suspect you know this.

    As for Parliament wanting control of the executive, if they require it for their purposes, they will take it. BJ is powerless against a vote of no confidence and Parliament agreeing on a caretaker PM with a strictly limited mandate. Whoever this ends up being (assuming BJ doesn’t being back the WA in a last gasp attempt to cling on to office), they will be on the tightest of leashes.

    British politics has failed Britain’s people and damaged her reputation and her economy. One can hope that the British people will administer the appropriate punishment for this misbehaviour. In this country, politicians are accountable, and they cannot judge the people’s judgement indefinitely. Contrary to the tone of your post, it is not the intention of this Parliament to do that. There was no Boris coup, and nor will there be a Remainer coup. Our duly elected Parliament is working within the (very flexible) limits of our constitution. It will be the duty of the people to either punish or reward their actions as they see fit. Personally, I’m hoping for the mother of all punishment beatings.

    1. Simeon
      September 8, 2019

      * Cannot DODGE the people’s judgement

      I could also clarify that there is nothing to fear from a caretaker PM, whoever they are, because their power would be strictly limited to securing a Brexit extension contingent on a democratic event, the nature of which would be agreed by the anti no-deal coalition. Given that this coalition could agree on nothing more than this particular measure, it would by definition do no more.

      1. dixie
        September 8, 2019

        “their power would be strictly limited to securing a Brexit extension contingent on a democratic event”

        You have vastly more faith and confidence in Parliament than I do.

        1. Simeon
          September 8, 2019

          If you consider the nature of the various elements of the anti no deal coalition, it is clear that only one thing unites them. Whatever one might think of Hammond et al., they really do not want to see Labour policies. Same goes for the Lib Dems and the SNP, and in fact most of the Parliamentary Labour party. They will take their prize of averting an ‘unauthorized’ no deal Brexit and a second referendum with the chance of Remain winning the day. They will put Brexit back to the people, at which point we’re in the hands of our fellow citizens. I just asssume they would not be foolish enough to pose a remain/WA exit question. If they did, then the Brexit party would have rocket boosters.

          I dont have faith in the individual MPs. They are all guilty to varying of degrees of crimes against democracy. It’s a swamp. But I do have faith that the people will have their say soon enough, and I don’t see MPs standing in the way. I think they understand if they did there would be serious trouble.

  30. David J
    September 8, 2019

    The remain forces in conjunction with the extremely biased speaker have managed to create an apparent gridlock to prevent the enactment of the referendum result. There is a groundswell of people who hope that Boris can find a way through this. Step 1 is the GE.

    Ironically, as we are busy ripping ourselves apart to ignore the referendum result, we hear a lot less about the utter mess that the EU it marches on to its vision of the United States of Europe. Does the mainstream media have a view here? 🙂

    1. Martin in Cardiff
      September 8, 2019

      No, to ensure that its result is implemented. All the Leave campaigns said that there would be a deal, so that is for what you voted.

      So thank these MPs.

      1. Wessexboy
        September 8, 2019

        I don’t remember anything on the ballot about a deal -before or after leaving. I do remember being told that we’d probably get one after we left by some sensible MPs. What sort of EU did you vote to remain in? Was it the one without an EU army – Nick Clegg famously ridiculed that at the time.

      2. J Bush
        September 8, 2019

        No. I voted to Leave the EU. As per Article 50 – with or without a deal.

        May’s vassal treaty or the rogue parliaments ‘surrender bill’ keeps us tied with no say, definitely costly and possibly indefinitely to the EU, and is not respecting the winning vote to Leave the EU.

        No matter how and in what way you try to twist the reality to justify your preference to remain in the EU.

        I am one of the majority who won the vote to Leave. It you want to to stay in the EU, fine move, there are 27 other countries to choose from, and you and other like-minded people can fund it.

      3. graham1946
        September 8, 2019

        You cannot have a deal when one party refuses to do it. The WA was not a deal, it was a Treaty designed to keep us tied to Brussels. They made no concessions, just demand after demand. The Leave campaigns were not government. The government promised to fulfill the vote result but did not.

      4. mancunius
        September 8, 2019

        Yet more patronising remainer-splaining by those who voted to remain in the EU. It doesn’t matter how often you repeat this canard, it’s nonsense. We voted to Leave the EU. Strange as it may seem to you – who are a remainer – our motive was quite simply to leave the EU. You will not find a single voter who thought leaving the EU guaranteed a scinitlla of the terms on which we would leave.
        It was perfectly obvious to all voters before Referendum Day that the hostile noises from Brussels and Berlin refusing to countenance any compromise, and threatening dire consequences if we voted to leave, meant that we would have extreme difficulty in negotiating with such avowed enemies of an independent Britain.
        And now, we are going to leave the EU, with no deal.

      5. Otto
        September 8, 2019

        There is a deal -it’s called a no deal which is the best deal.

      6. libertarian
        September 8, 2019

        Martin in Cardiff

        I dont think you understand how voting works

        Just because someone is voting the same way as me doesn’t mean I agree with everything they say .

        I cant stand Farage, he’s a pub bore and a technophobe, so I didn’t listen to a word he said and he had no influence on how I voted. What I did to make up my mind was look at the so called benefits of the EU, looked at the benefits of being outside , i read some of the rules of the EU and I voted to leave the EU entirely. What happens AFTER A50 is triggered and then after we leave was not part of the referendum. Glad to have cleared that up for you

        1. Martin in Cardiff
          September 8, 2019

          I don’t think that you understand the simplest of logic.

          If a question on one matter is silent on a second, then answering that question cannot imply anything whatsoever about the second, however hard you wish that it did.

          If you are so confident that the referendum was a vote to leave with no deal, then take the matter to Court.

          Come on, I’m sure that someone can magic up the money from somewhere yet again eh?

          1. Edward2
            September 8, 2019

            There us no deal available.
            Parliament has rejected the Withdrawal Agreement three times.
            The EU has said repeatedly it will not re negotiate any other deal.
            The law say we leave 31st of October.

          2. NickC
            September 9, 2019

            Martin, The TEA Art50 specifically refers to leaving without a WA. Both the EU Referendum Act and the ballot paper were silent on whether a WA and/or a trade deal is needed to Leave. So “no deal” complies.

        2. libertarian
          September 8, 2019

          Martin in Cardiff

          Nope dont need to take it to court because I pay attention

          The vote was to leave, no deal was on offer

          YOUR sacrosanct parliament then voted overwhelmingly in favour of triggering Article 50 If as you wrongly claim that we required a deal EXPLAIN why parliament voted to trigger A50 when we had no deal

          If you think leaving without a deal is a problem then you will need to take it up with the MP’s that backed the government’s European Union Bill, supported by the Labour leadership, by 498 votes to 114.

          They voted to formalise leaving with NO DEAL . Ask Gina & Jolyon for some help with the court case

          Glad to educate you

          By the way I’m intrigued why a socialist such as your self is such a big fan of an organisation that is run by and for big multinational banks and corporations … its almost as if you have no idea what youre voting for

  31. Dave
    September 8, 2019

    I wonder why this bill was given Royal Assent by the speaker and not Queens Consent. Has the speaker pulled a fast one here that could be challenged?

    I read a long article from an expert at LSE that advised that the bill would require Queens Consent as it effects the government’s prerogative powers i.e only governments can negotiate international treaties (including extensions) or money matters. This bill includes both.

    The Letwin Cooper bill in March avoided the need for Queens Consent by saying that the PM “musk seek” an extension and was not specific with any dates.

    1. mancunius
      September 8, 2019

      It should have sought Queen’s Consent. It has not yet received Royal Assent. Like many others here, I am hoping the PM will advise the Queen to withhold RA.

    2. Simeon
      September 8, 2019

      I had not realised that Letwin Cooper did not require Royal assent. This is a constitutional outrage. Our monarchy might be all but entirely neutered, but without Royal assent, we are not a monarchy at all. Regardless of your views on monarchy or republicanism, this is the most profound constitutional change. In the case of Letwin Cooper, no doubt renoving the need to seek royal assent was no dougt to save May’s blushes. In the present instance, it amounts to constitutional vandalism. This is shameful, in part because it’s unnecessary. As others have noted, a perfectly acceptable procedure is available to Parliament, namelto remove the government through a vote of no confidence. Your LSE expert sounds like he has a point.

  32. Think Tanker
    September 8, 2019

    “Iran tanker row: Released ship wanted by US ‘seen off Syria'”
    Can Mr Hunt , though not now in his role of Foreign Secretary be brought before The House to make a statement about his behaviour?
    As some would see it, he led a campaign for the release of the tanker with direct criticism of our greatest ally the USA. This undoubtedly damaged our relationship with the USA and worst of all it showed our Country sharing in a combined campaign with the EU to discredit the USA which has security, military, and economic consequences for us all. Or has he put in a “sickie” and is resting at home, perhaps in an EU country across the Channel?

    1. Otto
      September 8, 2019

      How can the gangster duo, the UK and USA, implement sanctions when if applied to them would constitute an act of war? These sanctions are actually wars on civilians, a war crime.

      How any country that knows anything about the US’s corrupt administrations can be its greatest ally shows its moral turpitude. The UK, quite rightly, thinks it right to point fingers at corrupt countries but will never dare to do so at the USA – the UK is too weak and dependent.

      1. tim
        September 8, 2019

        it is better to be the Devils right hand than be in his path

  33. Graham Wood
    September 8, 2019

    Sir John I believe that the ‘Benn Bill’ is an unprecedented constitutional outrage and that the needed response is for the PM to advise HMQ to withhold Assent to it.
    In my view there are at least 5 sound reasons for the advice he should tender to the Queen.

    1. The normal process of parliamentary democracy is in danger of being
    frustrated and overturned.

    2. The Bill would deny an elected government the ability to carry out its
    mandated programme set out in the previous Queen’s Speech, an essential
    component of which was to honour the referendum result and as endorsed
    by every political party at the time.

    3. The Bill restrains the fundamental and constitutional right of the electorate in a General election to express their collective view and thus are disenfranchised at a most critical time in our country’s history.

    4. The government’s right and duty to negotiate with the EU will be severely
    constrained by the “no deal” provision so removing its right to direct foreign policy.

    5. The Bill directly threatens the exercise of democracy itself in denying both the spirit and letter of the 2016 referendum together with repeated publicly made government assurances that it would be fully honoured unconditionally.

  34. Sydney Ashurst
    September 8, 2019

    We have the strange situation of the Prime Minister being threatened with dire consequences if he does not request a third extension to Article 50.
    The BBC has, MPs have lined up a legal team and are willing to go to court to enforce the law to avoid no deal, if necessary.
    At the same time these Parliamentarians are ignoring the conditions and instructions attached to the second extension, requested at their instigation.
    The EU Council made clear the sole purpose of the extension was to grant a little extra time to ratify the Withdrawal Agreement, not to reopen it. (Read Lord Kerr’s comments in the Guardian in 2016).
    It is now five months since Article 50 expired and Parliament has not ratified the WA or indicated it will ever do so. No new negotiations are possible without the WA being re-opened.
    Paragraph 3 of Article 50 is being miss-used, to prevent the United Kingdom leaving the EU by default (No Deal).
    Stanley Brodie QC in Article 50 TEU Part I and Part II (23.5.19) saying it was unlawful and ultra vires, being out of time when requested.
    Thirdly extension after extension is a fiddle to defeat the purpose of Article 50 – the means by which a Member State leaves the EU.
    Lord Kerr said at the time, “We needed a time limit in order to reassure the departing state that it could really depart — it would get out, it couldn’t be enmeshed forever in endless negotiation, it could escape.”
    This Bill is preventing the UK from escaping.
    I think quite a few legal teams will be involved before 31st October.

    1. Simeon
      September 8, 2019

      Sadly, assuming the EU cooperates, it is the UK that is keeping itself captive. We need new representatives.

  35. Oggy
    September 8, 2019

    You are correct, Boris should not resign. He has made it clear today that if the rogue MP’s don’t vote for a GE he will be as troublesome as possible to the EU. Rightly so, he should piss them off that much they won’t want us to have another extension. Neither should he ask for one.

    He should start a publicity campaign as if on an election footing by news releases, speeches, newspaper articles pointing out the anti democratic goings on in Westminster, and very much make it ‘Parliament vs people’. He needs to shout it from the rooftops.

    I am not sure you are correct that enough opposition MP’s would amend the FTPA to get a snap election though, as a lot of those MP’s know their political careers will be finished when there is an election.

    I see Amber Rudd has followed her mates into no mans land, and as her constituency majority is only 364 I doubt if she will be returning to Westminster either. Good riddance.

    1. Lifelogic
      September 8, 2019

      Amber Rudd on Marr today:- the reason the 21 (traitors) lost the whip is because they could not see enough effort going into getting a deal! Complete and utter rot my dear. They lost the whip because they voted again the government (to intentionally undermine the government and tie Boris up in knots). They were told the whip would be withdrawn and they made their choice. Good riddance.

      Theresa Rudd like May always sounds like a dim patronising, bossy primary school teacher. Just like the one I had when I was 10. The one who told me it was colder at the poles as they were further from the sun. Even aged 10 I worked out she was talking complete nonsense. I even pointed it out to her but she was unable/unwilling follow the simple logic.

      1. Fred H
        September 8, 2019

        LL …The poles are colder because they are both at the edge of our flat Earth, and everybody knows it is colder at a cliff edge!

    2. tim
      September 8, 2019

      OGGY the EU parasites are stealing £18,200,000,000 a year from the UK tax payer, they will never let it go.

  36. Andy
    September 8, 2019

    Let’s be generous – and pretend it is 11.01pm on October 31 and Britain has just Brexited.

    Those of you who can still manage to stay up late celebrate with a shot of something in your Ovaltine – before bedtime. You probably watch it on the BBC so you can complain about bias the next day.

    Tell me what happens on Nov 1 or, much more importantly, in the months and years afterwards?

    How do we travel to and from the EU?

    How do with trade with the EU?

    How do we do-operate with the EU?

    Having just punched our neighbours in the goolies what do you all think will happen next?

    1. Fred H
      September 8, 2019

      sorry Andy…..but we will be firing champers corks out in the streets with glorious fireworks lighting up the heavens. I expect the Police will get dozens of calls objecting to the extremely loud ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ being blasted out by the Gheto Blasters left behind by our middle aged kids.
      You will be sobbing into your pillow, grinding your whitened teeth.

      1. Andy
        September 8, 2019

        Not really.

        As I’ve said all along Brexit is cancer and treating cancer is painful. You make the fundamental mistake of thinking Brexit will be done when we leave the EU. Actually that’s where Brexit begins.

        We have the rest of your lives to destroy your Brexit cancer – and we eventually will.

        I just hope we do it quickly enough so you all get your final few pension payments in Euros. It will be very satisfying if you all go to your graves knowing you have failed.

    2. libertarian
      September 8, 2019

      Andy

      SERIOUSLY ? You claim to have had a business with a 7 figure profit and you ask primary school questions

      OK lets go with it

      “How do we travel to and from the EU?”

      You buy a plane, boat, train ticket, and turn up with your passport just like you do now .

      ” How do we trade with the EU?”

      Er we find a customer for our goods or services negotiate a deal and then sell them . Fill out the appropriate paperwork ( where necessary) and if its physical pay someone to deliver it , if its a service then go and deliver it or send it digitally

      How do you think Europeans get iPhones, computers , Jack Daniels , Teslas etc

      ” How do we do-operate with the EU?”

      The same way that the two biggest markets USA and China do

      By the heck Andy you really really really are not very bright are you

      “Having just punched our neighbours in the goolies what do you all think will happen next?”

      Make your mind up. You tell us what a fabulous organisation the EU is , how we are insane to leave and that the EU holds all the cards and couldn’t care less what we do…. So how is that punching them in the goolies?

    3. Wessexboy
      September 8, 2019

      Oh dear Andy! How have we ‘punched them in the goolies?’ I thought they were our friends; we still want to trade with and visit them, just as we did before joining. Will they now stop that? If so why?

    4. Jiminyjim
      September 8, 2019

      The way we did for a century before the EU was ever thought of. You really are very badly informed, Andy, aren’t you? Why not go and do some research and then come back.

    5. Longinus
      September 8, 2019

      How will we do all of those things with non-EU countries? The EU signed a number of bilateral agreements with us just before the last Brexit deadline. Suggest you do some research yourself rather than expecting others to do it for you.

    6. Beecee
      September 8, 2019

      Andy. It is surely better for you to be thought a fool than to continue to write your garbage and prove it!

      As a wise man once said!

      1. Fred H
        September 8, 2019

        Andy….Your tombstone will say ‘He thought he was a wise man, but..

    7. Robert mcdonald
      September 8, 2019

      We travel to the eu in the same way we travelled pre 1975 and the same way we travel to non eu countries now. Then substitute trade for travel but add in through WTO rules if the eu wants to lose out. No problem either with do operation / co operation … the UK tried 72 times to cooperate with eu hierarchy during our term of imprisonment and got nothing back.

    8. David J
      September 8, 2019

      Andy
      You aren’t is an optimist frame of mind.
      A lot of the people that come to this diary gave up on the BBC some time back(Reuters is my choice these days).

      Independence Day? Probably be nursing a celebration hangover but,

      Travel? Trains, boats and planes will still operate.
      Trade. The £ worked before and most businesses can trade with € too on the mainland
      How do we operate with the EU. Not sure of the question here but my guess is that for every £1 we sell into the EU, we buy £2. We are a major customer- they’ll find a way like we will.

      Kicks to Goolies? We will forgive them for their behaviour because we are big enough not to get so petulant

      D

    9. A.Sedgwick
      September 8, 2019

      If you were old enough to pontificate about Y2K I bet you were forecasting disaster. Oddly enough the sun rose 1/1/2000.

    10. Richard1
      September 8, 2019

      It’s an odd mentality that sees declining to be forever subject to laws regs and trading arrangements made by the EU whilst not being a member constitutes punching our neighbours in the goolies.

      Travel will – or should – be much as it is between friendly countries all over the world. Visa free and easy, with increasingly automated border checks.

      Trade will – or should – be tariff and quota free, with mutual recognition of standards, as it is between other countries around the world which have FTAs between them. Or have in principle agreed to do so and invoked GATT article 24 in the meantime.

      CO-operation will – or should – happen in all sorts of areas like security, research, student exchanges etc. Just as happens with cooperation with all sorts of other friendly countries across the world.

      Anything else I can help you with?

      1. Andy
        September 8, 2019

        Not true. After 2021 we will need to apply in advance to travel to the EU – and we will need to pay a fee. We will be outside of the new ETIAS scheme so it will make personal travel more costly and bureaucratic.

        Trade. Oh dear. You still spout the GATT 24 lie. Trade will not be tariff free – because leaving without a deal means WTO tariffs – 40% or so on cheese, 10% on fish. Beef and lamb face very high tariffs too. That is what no deal means. The EU has its own standards – it will not recognise inferior UK standards which will damage its single market.

        Co-operation is facilitated by shared rules and jurisdiction – which you have opted out of. You’ve made student exchanges and research harder. Galileo for example. You have damaged security cooperation. But then you knew that when you voted for it – right?

    11. Fedupsoutherner
      September 8, 2019

      Andy, I might just put my false teeth back in, put my hearing aids in, get out of my wheelchair and do some dancing in the street until the early hours. I am sure my children will join me. Don’t be a silly boy.

  37. Brenda
    September 8, 2019

    This bilge could have been written by a revolutionary Marxist. Overthrow Parliament if it stands in our way!

    1. IanT
      September 8, 2019

      It’s an alternative view Brenda – and one that could prevent a revolutionary Marxist taking power in this country.

    2. Woody
      September 8, 2019

      A revolutionary marxist would not be demanding an election.

    3. Edward2
      September 8, 2019

      Calling for an election is plainly not what you claim brenda.

  38. rose
    September 8, 2019

    I keep thinking of the Dauphin, taken prisoner by the French revolutionaries and made to do bizarre things for their amusement.

  39. tim
    September 8, 2019

    Boris has to refuse to do as the traitors have demanded. I would willingly go to prison to save the UK from eternal servitude to the EU Parasite. I believe that the 17,400,000 would also do the same! God bless Boris.

    1. Lifelogic
      September 8, 2019

      Indeed and very many remainer voters who actually respected the result (rather that just saying they did while trying to overturn it).

      1. Martin in Cardiff
        September 8, 2019

        But Parliament is merely trying to ensure that what the Leave campaigns all promised is implemented. That is, to exit with a deal. That is clearly for what you voted, so thank them.

        It is Johnson and his clique who are ignoring the result.

        1. Robert mcdonald
          September 8, 2019

          We have a deal, WTO works well in the real world.

        2. libertarian
          September 8, 2019

          Marty

          We already have lots of deals thanks . How many is the right number?

        3. Fedupsoutherner
          September 8, 2019

          MIC. Are you really as dense as you come across or have you caught something from Andy and his mum Margaret?

        4. dixie
          September 8, 2019

          @MiC You are mistaken, the remainers in Parliament are doing no such thing. The EU has stated it cannot agree a trade agreement (ie “a deal”) until after we have left the EU and will not discuss any such agreement unless we first agree the WA. PD, pay the £billions etc which Parliament has already rejected 3 times already.

          So, on the one hand you remainers were in control for 3 years and could not negotiate a “deal” but now you want to delay our leaving so you can “negotiate” a deal (which Parliament is not allowed to do) which the EU refuses to do while preventing the legitimate government from trying to negotiate a deal.

          The remainer parliament is seeking to have brexit cancelled but never had the guts and honesty to say so. Never fear though, they will have to face an election fairly soon and will regret embarking on this course of action.

        5. NickC
          September 9, 2019

          Martin, I, and many others (Batten even wrote a book about it, and it was UKIP policy), wanted to leave via our own Parliament, without a “deal” with the EU. Because we could see how nasty the EU was, and would be. We were right.

  40. cynic
    September 8, 2019

    As the saying goes: the darkest hour comes before the dawn. He must fight on.

    1. Lifelogic
      September 8, 2019

      Indeed the dawn is already in view given the polls. May gave us 9% and fifth place. Boris is in the lead already and gaining by the day. With a Brexit Party deal he surely cannot be defeated. With a party that will largely be rid of the ‘no nation’ Libdim fake Tories.

  41. Fred H
    September 8, 2019

    Perhaps the EU members watching this mess over 3 years have had enough. They now know UK is not going to keep bankrolling the group. They have frightened their members using the bullying of the UK into remaining, not willing to go through the torture witnessed here. Boris may well carry out the threat to veto everything possible should we be snookered into remaining. Macron would love to be seen as the tough leader who ‘kicked out the Brits’.
    He could be a strange ally after all this shambles.

  42. George Dunnett
    September 8, 2019

    If I was Boris I would disobey the Parliamentary instruction and if necessary go to prison as Grieve threatened. We would have created in one fell swoop a Nelson Mandela. Boris would be remembered for the right reasons for a thousand years. Grieve by contrast would be vilified until the end of time.

    1. Lifelogic
      September 8, 2019

      Grieve, Rudd, Bercow and the traitors certainly deserves lifelong vilification for their total contempt for democracy and dishonesty. I am sure Boris will find a way forwards. The voters are with him. Fararge will assist, but some accommodation is with him is needed.

      1. Lifelogic
        September 8, 2019

        Amber Rudd in the Times today:- My mother says: ‘Judge a man by what he does, not what he says’. Rather a sexist version of the saying but certainly a very good rule for politicians.

        Hammond claimed he was ‘repaying the debt” and was ‘reducing taxes’ when in fact he gave us the highest and most complex taxes for 50 years and was increasing the debt. He should never be allowed to return to the party he is a huge electoral liability anyway.

        Cameron claimed he was “a low tax Conservative at heart”, gave us a “cast iron guarantee” lie and even said he was Eurosceptic. He was the complete opposite in all his actions.

        But what about extending this to women, Rudd herself, Sandbatch, Soubry or Theresa May. Just thinking about their lies, disloyalty and gross dishonesty makes me feel quite ill. They even tried to pretend that the W/A was Brexit and nearly managed to get it through. It was clearly far worse even than remain.

    2. steve
      September 8, 2019

      George

      “If I was Boris I would disobey the Parliamentary instruction and if necessary go to prison as Grieve threatened”

      Agreed. He wouldn’t be in clink for long though, his incarceration would definitely cause the lid to blow off – mass civil unrest, uncontrollable anger will hit the streets.

      The role of the crown might also be brought to question.

      It’d be serious stuff, I don’t see it happening. Grieve is a bloody idiot to even suggest it.

      If anyone should be banged up it should be etc ed

    3. Martin in Cardiff
      September 8, 2019

      Do you seriously think that Johnson would for one moment subject himself to prison food?

      But then, you did believe the Leave campaigns, apparently.

      1. Fred H
        September 8, 2019

        Martin I think you would find prison food is rather better than the fare thousands of OAPs exist on, the room is heated, they have colour TV, games room, recreation, library and nice chats with rogues…..and all free – sounds like fun to me.

      2. steve
        September 8, 2019

        MiC

        We’re still waiting for you to substantiate your numerous claims to have read the constitution. Shows what you know……Zilch.

        1. steve
          September 8, 2019

          MiC

          Viz;

          “However, all that the Constitution says is that “Parliament alone is the law”.

          …..how would you know ? have you read it ?

          “But that is not expressed in any constitutional text.”

          So come on then, tell us you have read the constitution, I dare you.

          Or are you going to run away like your role model ?

      3. s matthews
        September 8, 2019

        Boris was subjected to many years of school dinners. Prison food is probably more palatable, he will have no fear of it.

    4. IanT
      September 8, 2019

      It’s an interesting thought George – we have so many people willing to break the law these days in the name of ‘Freedom’ or ‘Climate Change’ or anything else that takes their fancy. I’ve ever thought of Boris as Martyr material but maybe Sir John could smuggle the odd bottle of Claret into the Tower to keep his spirits up…

      1. Lifelogic
        September 8, 2019

        Indeed and the climate change activists (many effectively economic terrorists) are very often hugely encouraged by the appallingly alarmist BBC, the ‘BBC think’ types and various first class (or private jet/helicopter) flying actors, celebs or royal family hypocrites.

    5. Andy
      September 8, 2019

      Thank you for giving me a jolly good laugh on a Sunday morning.

      Comparing Johnson to Mandela is like comparing a Bucks Fizz tribute band to The Beatles.

      1. Longinus
        September 8, 2019

        Yes, Boris isn’t a convicted terrorist.

      2. Robert mcdonald
        September 8, 2019

        Both fought for or are fighting for freedom.

      3. Lifelogic
        September 8, 2019

        I certainly prefer Boris as PM to Mandela and by considerable some margin.

        1. Lifelogic
          September 8, 2019

          Though he is rather too left wing on tax, borrow and waste issues, the dire state monopolies in health care and education and the likes.

  43. BJC
    September 8, 2019

    I believe today’s events have shown the extraordinary amateurism on display throughout Parliament, with the exception of a few who are finding a strength of character they probably didn’t know they had.

    These are the people who set the tone and are meant to lead by example, yet they’re so high on the drug of power they have lost all judgment. In a fit of pique, a supercilious Clarke has allegedly threatened to vote LibDem and can’t grasp that this isn’t seen as an act of sacrifice, but of spite and simply confirms that Mr Johnson was correct in his decision.

    Amber Rudd has now taken a huge “principled” swipe at Mr Johnson as she sails off into the sunset, but all we see is another display of truculence. There was huge shock at her appointment to cabinet and a belief that she was a Remainer mole. She joined Mr Johnson’s cabinet of her own volition in the full knowledge of his objectives, but instead of realising her mistake and leaving with dignity, she’s issued the excoriating remarks of a scorned woman.

    This is the puerile behaviour Mr Johnson is facing at every moment of every day and a sophisticated electorate understands this and is reflected in the polls. The sharks are circling and the prey in their sight are Mr Johnson and Mr Cummings, but a few wounds shouldn’t prevent them from keeping their eyes on the prize. It might help to inform how the structure and focus in government is separated (Brexit and domestic policy), not conflate and confuse the two. After all, as Brexit plans are settled the scales will shift as they provide the foundation for domestic policy.

  44. Sir Joe Soap
    September 8, 2019

    Rudd seems to have forgotten the three years your government was trying to get a deal with the EU, and the unwillingness of the EU to offer any compromise even in the past few days. It’s heartening that 80-90% of the work going on is in preparation for no deal after 3 years.

    1. steve
      September 8, 2019

      Sir Joe

      Rudd has probably left before she got the boot. She won’t be missed.

    2. Ian Wragg
      September 8, 2019

      I don’t understand why he had Rudd in his cabinet. Next to go will be Morgan who is an arch remainer. The law enacted has no basis and should be ignored. The cleansing of Parliament must continue. Rule Britannia.

    3. Lifelogic
      September 8, 2019

      Good riddance to Rudd, why was Boris foolish enough to trust this appalling woman? Was her dire brother also involved in the coordination of this I wonder?

      1. Fred H
        September 8, 2019

        All the Cabinet were required to accept Leave was the joint aim….suddenly she blames ejection of senile, treasonable misfits as the cause. Why not just admit she is a staunch Remainer?

        1. Lifelogic
          September 8, 2019

          If these people are allowed back it destroyed the Conservative position of being pro Brexit and they will undermine any future Conservative government too.

          No assurances that they might give could ever be relied upon. They are religious believers in anti-democratic rule by the EU.

    4. IanT
      September 8, 2019

      Amber Rudd didn’t want to share a taxi with Boris but it turns out there’s greater risk of her stabbing you in the back as you turn to pay the Cabbie…

      1. Lifelogic
        September 8, 2019

        One can only assume it was all planned when Rudd took the job and agreed to the Boris agenda. Contemptible. It seem she is now trying to roll back from leaving the party. This must not be allowed. Does she get a pay off on resigning and if so why – she is resigning?

        Anyone who want to see the very worse of the appalling traitor/remainers should watch the last Question Time with the absurd MPs Emily Thornberry, Layla Moran & Ian Blackford. Who on earth would vote for any of these three jokers or their appalling parties?

    5. rose
      September 8, 2019

      Anyway, unless lost time is made up in preparing for walking away, how does she think a deal can be got?

      1. Fred H
        September 8, 2019

        She’ll join the Libdemos – you know those people who claim to be democrats….seriously they do!

        1. Lifelogic
          September 8, 2019

          They claim to be liberal too.

    6. graham1946
      September 8, 2019

      That is the crux of the matter. The EU are saying even now, that there is no other deal to be done, so where do the likes of Amber Rudd etc. expect to get one? Is there no limit to the dimness of Remoaners? Boris will go through the motions for the sake of good form, but will get nothing. Rudd leaving (just in time for the Sunday papers of course, treacherously designed to cause maximum damage ) is Boris’s own fault. No future government should touch her with a barge pole. He should never have let her anywhere near his new Cabinet, nor his own brother who has cheerfully stabbed him in the back but should have stuffed it with full hearted Leavers.
      We ow hear Ken Clarke would rather have a Corbyn government that Brexit and is inclined to vote LibDem. Whatever the clamour for the re-instatement of those sacked for disloyalty, they must not be allowed back in. Their loyalty is to Brussels, not the British people who have kept them in clover for decades.

  45. agricola
    September 8, 2019

    A truely dreadful state of affaires, brought about by a self satisfied arrogant number of MPs who by any account should not have been in the conservative party. They have existed under the banner of conservatism, a fifth column working against the wishes of the electorate and the party. They are utterly despicable. They have done more damage to democracy and the rule of law than those pathetic jihadi brides who have quite rightly lost their citizenship of the UK. If Boris can outmanoever this rabble and by any legal means achieve our exit of the EU on 31st October he has my support.

  46. hefner
    September 8, 2019

    “He should rally the country against those MPs and parties who have created this mess” using the Democratic Football Lads Alliance? Sir John, would you really want these people for your security? Just a question.

    1. libertarian
      September 8, 2019

      hefner

      Yes because of course the DFLA represent 17 million people…. You get more ridiculous with each post. Go have a long lie down

  47. Lifelogic
    September 8, 2019

    Indeed what Parliament is trying to do to tie Boris’s hands is an outrage.

    Leadsom is quite right, Bercow must go and leave Parliament. Good to see the back of the dire Rudd rejoice, rejoice at that good news. Why on earth did the appalling woman take the job. One assume she took it to do what she did yesterday. What a dishonourable and contemptible thing to do.

    Meanwhile it seems Ian Lavery, Labour chairman supports abolition of private schools (like Gove then). Labour also seem to want to take over all private long term care. So we will have dire state monopolies all over the place. People will just mover overseas or send their children overseas. What idiots these people are. Where do these idiots think they will find all the money needed? Private schools a massive industry, job creator, exporter and employer too .

    1. Lifelogic
      September 8, 2019

      The evil and hugely damaging politics of envy, from Labour at every turn. The choice is Boris and Brexit or Corbyn/SNP and a Venezuela basket case. The people clearly will vote for the former.

      Leadsom says the 21 (traitors) are good moderate conservatives. No they are ‘no nation’ anti-democratic Conservatives. They cannot be allowed back as they would surely undermine the next government, as they have this one. If, that is, anyone was daft enough to vote them in after their total contempt for the voters.

      1. Martin in Cardiff
        September 8, 2019

        The low-paid, who vote Tory-bp are not working class. They are the English grovelling classes, and with only one game in life. It is to try to out-creep the next man to their swaggering masters, be it hunters, Rees-Mogg or whomever.

        They will not join a union, because, heaven forfend, their boss might find out, and then they would really slide down the forelock-tugging rankings.

        It has been so ever since 1066, when their forebears were dispossessed of all their land by the ancestors of their present-day overlords.

        So rather than admit their ignominious cowardice, they clutch at every cynical misrepresentation of the Labour movement, and of its people, or of their only other friend the European Union for that matter. The French, on the other hand, dealt with their oppressors starting in 1789. That is why they still have decent occupational pensions, amongst the many other things that the English do not.

        Get off your lamentable knees for once in your sorry lives. Get behind Labour – and the European Union!

        1. Edward2
          September 8, 2019

          Poor sales technique martin.
          Insult your potential customers and then end by asking for them to join you..
          Hilarious.

        2. Fred H
          September 8, 2019

          If you teach History God help the kids!

        3. libertarian
          September 8, 2019

          Marty Marty Marty

          Oh my word what a load of patronising bo*****s

          Proud to be working class ( Clem Attlee Estate)

          Was a trade Union member SOGAT and later a Union steward NALGO

          Worked out by the time i was 18 that socialists ( bizarrely my boss that I tugged my forelock too according to you , Ron T was actually the Chair of local SWP ) were just control freaks who wanted to ensure that everyone was equally as miserable. Free markets called me and I’ve never looked back since .

          By the sound of it you’ve never been to France . The French pension is better than the UK for the simple reason they pay more in. If you want a better pension theres nothing stopping you paying more in

          French unemployment is 8.2% there are 2.4 million unemployed ( double the UK with a populations the same size) Macron has loosened the country’s labour laws, cut corporate taxes and pushed through a law requiring people to work for longer before claiming unemployment benefits in order to encourage more hiring.

          Nice rant though Trotsky

        4. Fedupsoutherner
          September 8, 2019

          MIC, my God, you really have lost the plot.

        5. steve
          September 8, 2019

          MiC

          “…..the English grovelling classes”

          Racism.

          “So rather than admit their ignominious cowardice”

          Speaking of cowardice, your Messiah Jeremy Corbyn……enough said.

          I’m surprised our host allowed your ‘contribution’ but the fact that he has done so reflects upon him as being commendably tolerant.

  48. steve
    September 8, 2019

    Excellent article JR.

    I can almost envisage Boris and the few good men he has getting into HoC before the traitors and locking the doors !

    But seriously you are correct to suggest Boris should rally the people, he has a winning hand in that people are so damn angry with the traitors attempts to flush this country down the pan, and we want out by 31st Oct just as much as he does.

    When the ‘fifth columnists’ say they do not want to stop brexit, they’re lying. Everyone can see through it, moreover people feel insulted that they should be expected to fall for that cheap trick.

    Everyone I know is appalled by the disgusting tactics of the left, and I don’t know of anyone who would give Labour a second of their time.

    Certainly if I were to tread on Corbyn I wouldn’t clean my shoes, Id just throw them in the bin and probably soak my feet in anti-bac for good measure. To me, Corbyn is far more antisocial than dog’s mess. He’s an absolute disgrace and represents something this country never was and never should be.

    Boris on the other hand despite a few human traits, which to his credit he doesn’t hide, is much more a man of the people. We don’t mind a few gaffes, it’s the lying deceitfulness and corruptness of the left we can’t stomach.

    If there were an election tomorrow, Boris would win. But I think he should scare the pants off Labour and the rest of the traitors by forming a pact with Farage. That together with the public demanding an election might force one.

    PS Interesting to read the good news that the government is considering an attempt to remove the chief facilitator of the coup…..John the biased. We need shot of thatetc ed

  49. Sakara Gold
    September 8, 2019

    You voted for Johnson, you can deal with him. You cannot say that you were not warned about his bullying, mendacity, his flawed character, his incessant philandering and his ability to insult and patronise anyone who crosses him

    Michael Gove was right when he concluded that Johnson “cannot provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead” – if you want any further evidence you can note that 21 of his colleagues have just been sacked for failing to vote the way he wanted!

    Doubtless the next move will be tanks on the streets (if the army has any left after the Tory cuts to the armed forces) while Parliament is prorogued as Johnson uses the police to round up his political opponents for incarceration in the Tower of London in order to prevent them from voting the wrong way again.

    1. steve
      September 8, 2019

      Sakara

      By their disgraceful actions, you’d be accurate to cite messrs; Bercow, Corbyn, Grieve, Clarke, Soubry et al.

      Also I find your reference to Mr Johnson’s private life a very cheap and low bellied thing to do. Trying to slate him in that way just doesn’t work, in fact has the opposite effect you are trying to achieve. It is also his business and nobody else’s.

  50. Wilfrid Whattam
    September 8, 2019

    What would happen if Boris resigned as leader of the Conservative Party? Would this disallow any action on the Benn Bill – or perhaps prevent its passage into law if resignation occured prior to such acceptance? Would the ensuing lengthy process of a leadership election then just wind down the clock to 31st October, enabling a ‘no deal’ Brexit to take place, because that requires no new legislation?

    Can you, John, give us any hope?

    Surely we need courageous, and even outlandish, action at this momentous juncture in British democracy.

    1. Denis Cooper
      September 8, 2019

      He needs to resign as Prime Minister, not as Conservative leader.

  51. Lorna
    September 8, 2019

    I agree with Sir John that the PM should mount the case that Parliament has voted to,act in an unreasonable manner without Queens consent or money resolution
    But how in practical terms does he do this with an Opposition determined to be unreasonable?

    1. Soames
      September 8, 2019

      Lorna, what you have just described is “losing the argument in Parliament”. Tough. And there is nowhere to go, apart from a home for losers

  52. Iain Gill
    September 8, 2019

    As the folk in the pub said, the politicians cannot even stop people letting their dogs poop in the children’s playground, it’s no surprise they cannot do other stuff

    1. Fred H
      September 8, 2019

      They cannot stop the rabble pooing in the Commons either.

  53. Wilfrid Whattam
    September 8, 2019

    To be correct in my last comment, I should have wondered about Boris resigning as PM, not merely leader of the CP.

  54. grahamW
    September 8, 2019

    first of all he should get rid of the master of chaos- Cummings!- but he won’t

    next he should go to Brussels to discuss- not Dublin- going to Dublin at this time is BS

    we now need a cross party National Government for a two year period to get us through- but Boris with his head stuck in that bulls ass can’t see further than Cummings allows him

    he is a failed Foreign Secretary and now a failed PM- in fact we can say we have no PM

  55. Lifelogic
    September 8, 2019

    A letter in the Telegraph today begins:- SIR – As former chairmen of the Tory Reform Group, which has for 44 years represented the One Nation tradition in the Conservative Party, we support the swift return of the whip to the 21 MPs.

    For ‘one Nation’ read ‘no Nation’, LibDim and rule by the anti-democratic EU over the UK. No way the traitors made their choice and how can people be asked to vote for such Trojan Horses in the next parliament. It would be as stupid as allowing the convicted fraudster to stand (as at the last by election). Worse in fact as they would undermine the next government too.

  56. EarleyRiser
    September 8, 2019

    Clearly all the planning is towards a No Deal exit. Talk of doing a deal is a smokescreen to run the days down. There are no substantive negotiations.

    What’s the plan for the day after we leave? Do you just pretend the EU isn’t there any more?

    There is no thought at all being given to what happens next. Just blow everything up and survey the wreckage.

    1. Fred H
      September 8, 2019

      EarleyR…..Perhaps you would enlightened me as to when any EU official indicated that they would negotiate?

    2. Shirley
      September 8, 2019

      How do you propose we get a good deal from the EU, when they have made it clear they are not willing to give us a good deal? Do you think this rogue Parliament can force them to give us a good deal?

      1. Soames
        September 8, 2019

        You have already got the best deal you will ever get. Have you yet grasped what a weak position you Leavers have plunged us into?

        1. Robert mcdonald
          September 8, 2019

          Please explain how stronger we would be inside the eurocracy .. 72 attempts to implement improvements to how the EU works and 72 rejections.

          1. Will Teasel
            September 8, 2019

            Don’t forget that those 72 times represent ca 2 % of our total votes. 3% we abstained and 95 % we were on “winning side”. Not too bad actually.
            How remarkable were those votes we “lost” at the end f the day? And how did the final decision look like – votes are just part of the process.

        2. libertarian
          September 8, 2019

          Andy changing your username to Soames fools no one

          No we really haven’t got a good deal being in the EU

          Tell us what the biggest single benefit of being an EU member is , go on

    3. Denis Cooper
      September 8, 2019

      “There are no substantive negotiations.”

      If there were then that would be in breach of EU law:

      http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2019/08/19/successful-town-centres/#comment-1046989

      The purpose of the present extension of our EU membership is not to allow more time for negotiations on our withdrawal but just to allow the UK government and Parliament more time to either accept the withdrawal agreement that has already been negotiated by Theresa May, or alternatively decide to give up on Brexit as a bad job and revoke our notice of withdrawal; AND NO DOUBT THAT WOULD ALSO BE THE PURPOSE OF ANY FURTHER EXTENSION.

    4. Longinus
      September 8, 2019

      The EU will have to start negotiating in good faith before the end of October and make some sensible transitional arrangements.

      1. Fred H
        September 8, 2019

        I hope not.

  57. Newmania
    September 8, 2019

    If the MP for Wokingham does not feel members of Parliament should decide what is best for the country he might take more interest in the views of the people of Wokingham.
    No-one voted or No Deal , Parliament reflects that fact Johnson is not consolidating the vote to deliver Brexit he is delivering Brexit to consolidate the vote behind Johnson .
    I hope you ran this post by Cummings John …what am I saying , ‘course you did .

    Reply I think MPs should keep to the rules and constitution, and should keep the promises they made in the last election. I did not run this post by anyone.

    1. Fred H
      September 8, 2019

      Only specific MPs should decide what is best -that has always been the way. The specific ones are the party who got a majority in a GE. When a majority ceases and the opposition wishes they can vote No Confidence and have another GE.

    2. libertarian
      September 8, 2019

      Newmaniac

      You post loads of frothing waffle but never come up with a plan, alternative or answer

      As you dont believe in referendums, you dont believe in elections what method do you propose for finding the next government ?

      Can you give me a running total of how many of the 500,000 job losses you predicted have happened so far … cheers

      ps Dont mention Frankfurt

      1. Newmania
        September 8, 2019

        A referendum will be fine

        1. libertarian
          September 9, 2019

          Newmaniac

          We had one, you lost

    3. dixie
      September 8, 2019

      In which case speaking as one of John’s constituents I did vote in the referendum to leave the EU with no trade agreement and again for the “no deal is better than a bad deal” position in the 2017 manifesto, to leave purely on the basis of WTO.

      Boris is delivering exactly on the manifesto position, Parliament decided 3 times that the WA-PD were a bad deal so he is planning for no-deal.

  58. Richard Jenkins
    September 8, 2019

    In the majority opinion in the Gina Miller case, the Supreme Court analysed in detail the 1972 European Communities Act. In the dissenting opinion, Lord Reed observed that foreign policy is a Crown prerogative. If Lord Reed is right, then is not the House of Commons ultra vires in instructing the Prime Minister how to negotiate with the EU?

    1. Pete S
      September 8, 2019

      Bercow said he had taken advice and the Queens consent is not needed. I agree with you, this is ripe for Supreme court challenge. An I expect it to be successful. Plus it will be a big blow to 5th column Bercow.

  59. Bryan Harris
    September 8, 2019

    A.V. Dicey wrote in ‘The Law of the Constitution’ (1885): “The House can in accordance with the Constitution be deprived of power [when] there is fair reason to suppose that the opinion of the House is NOT the opinion of the electors.”
    Therefore the Queen can justifiably and lawfully PROROGUE Parliament and order a General Election….or Not?

    1. steve
      September 8, 2019

      Bryan Harris

      Indeed so she can. Her Majesty could quite easily do as she likes with Parliament.

      ……but don’t hold your breath.

  60. The Prangwizard
    September 8, 2019

    We must learn to be tough and resilient, the enemies of our freedom and our democracy take advantage of our preference for fairness; they exploit it and they will prevail if we do not fight back. We are in a civil war; the bullets are not flying but it is a real fight for freedom.

    It is good news that Rudd, a subversive Remainer has gone and encouraging too that Andrea Leadsom is reported as saying the Conservatives will fight Bercow, another subversive. The cleaning of the stables must continue and the PM must be supported in this task. There are others yet to be removed.

    If we were to imagine our living a few centuries past those like Hammond and Rudd for example would by now no longer have the abilitiy to think and speak. Today we don’t go to such lengths but treachery hasn’t changed. It is still performed.

  61. forthurst
    September 8, 2019

    It is no good blaming opposition forces for the current mess. The culprit is our defective constitution which firstly does not provide for a fair voting system which would have ensured that parliament broadly represented the voice of the people who are by nature conservative and have clearly expressed their wish to leave the EU or that when there is no grouping with a majority, that a head of state can simply dissolve parliament and call for elections over the heads of the anti-democratic forces which have now usurped the role of government but refuse to govern themselves.

    The system is broken: fix it and stop bleating about a situation that it is exclusively in your power to rectify. We haven’t forgotten that you Tories offered the people a choice between our existing voting system and one which was deliberately selected because it was entirely unsuitable for political elections and then announced that people really love the existing broken system and want to keep it. You Tories are the main stumbling to reform so stop the hypocritical whining and do the job we pay you to do.

  62. David Taylor
    September 8, 2019

    It is not just Mr Johnson being held hostage , it is also the country .
    By an in the main , unrepresentative of the views of their electorate , group of M.Ps of all parties .

  63. Alan Joyce
    September 8, 2019

    Dear Mr. Redwood,

    We read that certain MP’s sought private assurances from EU leaders, before the vote in the Commons to force the PM to seek an extension to Article 50, that a request for such would be granted.

    What is this if not treasonous behaviour? What other country would permit such actions?

    Then we have their refusal to allow a general election to go ahead ostensibly because they do not trust Mr. Johnson not to move the election date to after the 31st October and allow the UK to slip out of the EU. They think the public are too thick; after all they gave the wrong answer in the referendum. But voters can spot it a mile off! MP’s can now add cowardice to their growing list of very unattractive qualities.

    Stand firm Boris! The alternatives are too terrible to contemplate – Corbyn, McDonnell, Abbott and Thornbury. Or worse still – Hammond, Stewart, Gawke and Rudd.

  64. Andrew S
    September 8, 2019

    The government should cause a no-confidence motion in itself this Monday. Let us see if the remain parliament opposes sufficient to win. If it passes, parliament is then prorogued anyway.
    There can’t be a subsequent motion of confidence within 14 days so no alternative government can be formed. But an electoral pact with The Brexit Party must be secured otherwise Corbyn LibDem SNP coalition could win power. Assuming a Brexit Government obtains a good majority (having ditched the rebels and bercow) , dispose of the recent Benn stunt legislation and make either a new free trade deal or no deal WTO exit on 31 Oct.

  65. Pete S
    September 8, 2019

    As 5th column Bercow has said it meets the requirements of not needing Queen’s consent or money resolution. The instant the Queen gives Royal assent, a challenge should be plased with the Supreme court.

    1. Fred H
      September 8, 2019

      Pete S ..We should force a decision on some aspect of law to go to the ECJ. Then once decided find another one….become a bloody nuisance, an indication of what awaits them if we remain.

  66. APL
    September 8, 2019

    JR: “How does the Prime Minister break free from his Parliamentary captors?”

    Incorrect.

    How does the Prime Minister break free from his Parliamentary party turncoats?

    fixed that for you.

  67. bigneil
    September 8, 2019

    Aren’t we supposed to be the mother of parliaments? Seems the mother is having a breakdown.

  68. William Long
    September 8, 2019

    At the bottom of all the trouble is the Fixed Term Parliament Act. Even for the purpose it was enacted it was bad and ill considered legislation. A first priority of a new Conservative Covernment must be to repeal it, and if any of the other Parties are sensible enough to understand the damage it can cause, they will support this.

    1. Pete S
      September 8, 2019

      I like the act, after Brown’s stupid antics. It just needs modification to allow say, the head of state to demand the speaker calls a Ge, to break the deadlock.

      1. rose
        September 8, 2019

        That would only work with an honest Speaker and do we want to hand him yet more monarchical power?

        1. Fred H
          September 8, 2019

          I think you will find the Squeaker will be off fairly soon, after all the panto season will need rehearsals.

          1. rose
            September 9, 2019

            How did you know?

  69. BillM
    September 8, 2019

    To allow Parliament to unilaterally take control of the House WITHOUT a change of Government via a General Election, surely must be anti-democracy and therefore a crime? Are there no procedures or Laws that dictate policy for such an event?
    Nothing in the Bill of Rights 1689 for instance? Magna Carta?
    In 1791 the USA adopted much of the UK’s Bill of Rights and they stand to this day. So are the Brexit lawyers pawing over our one of 1689?
    Thinking back to the 17th Century, how did Oliver Cromwell manage to throw out Parliament with no legal authority to do so?

    1. Denis Cooper
      September 8, 2019

      I don’t need to pore over the English Bill of Rights of 1689 to recall that it condemned James II for acting as if he was above the law, and the same would apply to the Prime Minister of the present sovereign. And if any such case came before them nor would the judges on the Supreme Court need to brush up on what was in effect the founding constitutional document of our parliamentary system of government:

      https://avalon.law.yale.edu/17th_century/england.asp

      “Whereas the late King James the Second, by the assistance of divers evil counsellors, judges and ministers employed by him, did endeavour to subvert and extirpate the Protestant religion and the laws and liberties of this kingdom;

      By assuming and exercising a power of dispensing with and suspending of laws and the execution of laws without consent of Parliament … ”

      I was taken aback last week when Michael Gove hinted that the government might disregard an Act of Parliament, now I think Boris Johnson must be off his head to allow such a disgraceful proposal to gain traction.

    2. Martin in Cardiff
      September 8, 2019

      Oh, we are in a tizz aren’t we?

      The UK Constitution is quite easy to learn.

      It simply says “Parliament alone is the law”.

      There.

      1. Edward2
        September 8, 2019

        Well that’s not right Martin.
        First the EU are supreme over our law making in many areas and only the Government can introduce laws.
        Well until biased bercow and a few rebel MPs used arcane procedures to take over the role.
        The people are really supreme.
        As you will see at the next election.

      2. steve
        September 8, 2019

        MiC

        “The UK Constitution is quite easy to learn.

        It simply says “Parliament alone is the law”.

        Does it ? where exactly does it say that ?

        You’ve been invited on several occasions to validate your claims to have read the constitution, but you refuse.

        Why is that ? I’ll tell you; It’s because a written constitution does not exist……
        dumb ass !

  70. Gareth Warren
    September 8, 2019

    The idea that a force other than the government can spend government money is wrong. The idea too that government can compel a person to do an act he does not agree with is slavery.

    The media for the most point ignore this, they barely mentioned the significance of the opposition refusing an election. Yet Boris continues to rise in the polls.

    I believe it the right of government to refuse queens consent for this bill on many grounds, the first being that it spends government money without government consent.

    I hear today Amber Rudd has resigned the whip today, another great result, I do not think she will be the last since many quite literally serve the EU. When I read that former conservative MPs agreed a date with foreign leaders I wish we still had the treason law.

    Really though, those recruiting MPs should be replaced, how have they selected so many that feel nothing is wrong with ignoring their mandate and changing allegiances without facing the electorate.

  71. BCL
    September 8, 2019

    I continue to trust the PM and to have faith in him. I wonder if he spotted a way out of the surrender bill’s requirements and that’s why the opposition in the Lords was suddenly and mysteriously withdrawn, that way letting the bill become law before any of the remoaner traitors spotted their drafting error and corrected it. I believe Mr Johnson and his advisers are far from stupid and I won’t be surprised if they have a solution to this problem which gets us out on the 31st October. Even if not I think the Conservatives will win the election, whenever it happens, and that Brexit will happen very soon after.

  72. Norman
    September 8, 2019

    There’s one good thing in all this. The people of this much-favoured United Kingdom (should they have eyes to see it) can now clearly see the traitorous spirit of many of its parliamentary representatives. All things being equal, the people will eventually have opportunity to depose their ilk with the same utter contempt they have shown to them.
    What a contrast to the wisdom and faithful service exemplified in our gracious Queen Elizabeth II, reflected in every decent person up and down the land who values our sovereign freedom, however imperfect.

  73. Christine
    September 8, 2019

    I think that Dominic Cummings has planned everything that has happened. The British people love an underdog and hate to see bullies ganging up on people. Boris Johnson should stand his ground and refuse to ask for an extension. He should go to jail if necessary. This is Boris’s Churchillian moment. He has promised the people we will leave in October. To renege on this will be the end of the Conservative party. To deliver will give him a landslide, particularly if he has a pact with The Brexit Party.

    1. Simeon
      September 8, 2019

      Cummings might have a plan, but if it’s going to plan, it’s clearly not pursuing the national interest, the Conservative party interest, or even Boris Johnson’s interest. Perhaps this is simply material for a Hollywood movie that makes Cummings a mint. Or Cummings doesn’t have a clue. I tend towards cock up rather than conspiracy.

  74. Andy
    September 8, 2019

    The Benn Bill most certainly required Queens Consent and a Money Resolution no matter what Bercow says. I would be very interested to know on what basis the Clerk for Legislation advised him to the contrary. But in view of the serious restriction of the Prerogative contained within the Bill and the absence of Consent Boris should advise Her Majesty to refuse the Bill Royal Assent.

  75. Denis Cooper
    September 8, 2019

    “The Prime Minister has been taken hostage by Parliament.”

    Well, it could be worse, he could have been seized by the army.

    I’ve never read any of Philippa Gregory’s historical novels before but I was drawn to her latest, “Tidelands”, which is set in 1648.

    It’s a cracking yarn; I’ve got to the point where Colonel Pride has purged Parliament and the army has taken custody of the King.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pride%27s_Purge

    I repeat that I will always support our Parliament as an institution, the central institution of our national democracy, but that does not mean I support those shysters who are now defiling our Parliament with their presence.

    The opposite, I want them out; and to be honest I think the only way left to achieve that is to give Jeremy Corbyn his chance to sort out the mess that he has helped to create.

    A desperate measure, in rather desperate times, but also the only honourable course for Boris Johnson who must otherwise break either his word or the law of the land.

    1. Mark B
      September 9, 2019

      Shysters – Yep ! That is what I was thinking too.

  76. James Bertram
    September 8, 2019

    Off topic; The Brexit Party today announced a new policy to abolish Inheritance Tax – argued largely on the basis that it uses up huge resources to raise an insignificant amount of tax; and that it is an ‘unkind’ tax, an additional problem, to impose on people at a time when they are grieving.

    It would be be good to have your thoughts on this, Sir John.

    1. Chris
      September 8, 2019

      It would be a huge vote winner and a very positive action, contrary to what the Left say.

    2. Mark B
      September 9, 2019

      Like HS2 and all the other BP policies, the Tories will nick it with one caveat – it will all of course be under review.

      Waste of time.

  77. David Maples
    September 8, 2019

    I agree with you 99.99% of the time Sir John, but telling Boris not to break the law falls into the 0.01%!! Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton and Madison broke the law in 1789 and look what that led to!

    Replying I said obey laws that are properly made!

    1. David Maples
      September 8, 2019

      Please accept my apology Sir John, indeed you did. I should have read your piece more carefully.

  78. Ian!
    September 8, 2019

    The 2016 referendum by constituency, 406 Leave – 224 remain giving leave majority in constituency votes, the MPs representing these constituencies are another story, just 162 MPs supported Leave in the referendum while 485 supported Remain.

    The MP’s then voted in the HoC 498 votes to 114, in the favour of leaving. As in vote for me and I will pledge I will represent you.

    How long did that promise last?

    It is very clear we have a Parliament that doesn’t reflect the People. It is clear we have a Parliament of MP’s that are going all guns blazing to fight the People that put them there.
    It is also clear there has to be a General Election, but not a GE with a gun held to our heads, as in we have screwed your chance of leaving you will remain. But, GE were it is the People providing the direction for its servants, the MP’s in Parliament.

  79. John S
    September 8, 2019

    Unless I am mistaken, I can see a way where we can pass 31st October with a No Deal by default without Boris going to prison.; that is for Boris to resign on the day. This may require him to sack his deputy first so we have no PM for a few hours. If anyone sees a flaw in this action, please let me know.

    1. Denis Cooper
      September 8, 2019

      https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/bills/lbill/2017-2019/0202/18202.pdf

      “(3) If neither of the conditions in subsection (1) or subsection (2) is satisfied,
      subsection (4) must be complied with no later than 19 October 2019.

      (4) The Prime Minister must seek to obtain from the European Council an
      extension of the period under Article 50(3) of the Treaty on European Union … “

  80. BR
    September 8, 2019

    I am stunned that the article misses the bleedin’ obvious: REFUSE ROYAL ASSENT.

    You seem to be underwhelmed that Queen’s Consent was skipped, along with the need for a Money Order (to pay for the extended EU membership) so why should he not refuse Assent?

    The other option is to refuse to move a Money Order and tell the EU that we will remain for the time being but we will not pay to do so.

    No-one but the government can move a Money Order, so they lose all the money, £39 bn (or more like £150bn since the upper limit is not really known) and the UK payments into the annual budget. They won’t like that.

    The problem is that they might accept it and look for a later govt to pay retrospectively. And all the time the mandate from 2016 gets older and older, which is their long game – to claim that the vote is too old to be respected (utter rubbish of course, but they will nullify it and claim that eventually if they get to delay much longer).

    So perhaps just do the obvious: refuse Royal Assent and propose an election after 31/10, where the other parties are free to campaign to rejoin and see if the people agree. At that stage, they would have no other option left open to them.

  81. Jasper
    September 8, 2019

    Onwards and upwards Boris – you have support from 17.4 million people plus many remainers that I know of who respect democracy. Parliament v the people who would have thought this could ever happen?

  82. Peter D Gardner
    September 8, 2019

    The UK’s constitution has evolved with the aims of protecting the individual from the power of the state and ensuring rule by legislation is only by the consent of the people. The Remoaners have turned it upside down. They ate not there to lord it over the people but to govern only as the people allow.
    There will be an election sooner or later. MPs who fail to learn some respect for the voters will then find themselves out of a job.
    Some, like Oliver Letwin, have decided to stand down at the next general election rather than have to account for their betrayal. Having made that decision they now feel able to trash democracy while protected by that pernicious piece of Remainerism, the Fixed Term Parliaments Act. It was introduced by Remainers in chief Clegg and Cameron and it’s architect none other than Letting.
    What a legacy! Definitely a special place in hell for him.

  83. Dominic
    September 8, 2019

    We need a Eurosceptic, Anti-Marxist alliance to prevent an extremist party leader becoming PM that has always openly sided with this nation’s enemies and has openly despised the nation he yearns to govern. This is a unique scenario never before seen in British politics.

    Corbyn and Marxist Labour’s been afforded legitimacy by May, the media and the BBC. It is the most appalling plan of propaganda. Even the CBI has given time to a Stalinist in McDonnell.

    The pro-EU political, media and administrative establishment will do anything to keep this nation in the EU knowing what Labour’s become from the days when they were at least a moral force

  84. bill brown
    September 8, 2019

    Sir JR,

    I am sorry I am unable to see the so-called hostage-scenario you are presenting. An the will of the people was as far as I remember did not include leaving the Eu without a deal as this was never covered during the campaign

    The problem with this government and the situation we are in , is not just down to Parliament, if were able to trust the PM and his entire government it might be slightly different, but we are not able to . They say one things and then act totally contrary to what they have initially said.

    Defending the present government as you are currently doing is what I would a risky strategy

    Reply Yes I always said a no deal exit was the only thing we could guarantee as it was in our gift to do that

    1. libertarian
      September 8, 2019

      Billy

      This no deal guff was invented as an excuse by remainers

      We dont have a deal with our biggest market, the USA yet we work just fine

      We dont have a deal with China 2nd biggest economy or India 6th biggest economy yet we work just fine. Why do we need a deal with the EU 27 ?

      1. Fred H
        September 8, 2019

        We don’t, balance of trade works for them. We will be able to source alternatives from other countries. Veg we can grow, fruit is not a problem, cut flowers? – Elton flies his in anyway. Cheese perfectly good made here, Swiss watches too expensive, German cars too expensive, French wine over-rated, Danish bacon easily replaced. We will manage, shame about all the jobs and businesses in crisis ‘over there’.

      2. bill brown
        September 8, 2019

        Libertarian,

        Because it gives the continuity that is required for the single market.

        You and your guff, no deal was never mentioned during the campaign, so this is not invented by anyone , it is a fact, that it was never mentioned.

        1. libertarian
          September 9, 2019

          Billy Iversen

          We are LEAVING the single market, so NO it doesn’t give continuity .

          No deal was mentioned by just about everybody in the referendum

          Anyway Parliament voted for no deal by a considerable margin when then triggered A50

          Do at least make an attempt to stay on top of facts

          1. bill brown
            September 10, 2019

            Libetarian

            Just like you and no stick built up

      3. bill brown
        September 10, 2019

        Libertarian

        there are a lot of MOU between the UK and US that directs our trade on a daily basis outside the WTO as well

    2. graham1946
      September 8, 2019

      Do give the ‘no mandate for no deal’ nonsense a rest. It was covered. It was the basis of the Treasury doom and disaster document which said we’d lose 7.5 percent of GDP.

      The government, Cameron, Hammond (he had to apologise for saying he never said it – Guido Fawkes), Osborne et al all said it. Just because you didn’t cotton on doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Google it if you need to see it.

      1. bill brown
        September 8, 2019

        Graham 1946

        This is not what I said read it again and then answer the question

        1. libertarian
          September 9, 2019

          Billy Hans

          This is what you said

          “You and your guff, no deal was never mentioned during the campaign, so this is not invented by anyone , it is a fact, that it was never mentioned.”

          Youre wrong Graham is right…. apologise

    3. Jiminyjim
      September 8, 2019

      Dear Bill, why aren’t you honest about who you are and where you live? You don’t live in the UK, do you? Why not be honest if you want to be treated seriously?

  85. Otto
    September 8, 2019

    Surely the best and easiest way to leave the EU is for Johnson to start negotiating FTAs around the world which is not permitted by the EU so they will throw us out. Job done.

    Why won’t this work?

    1. bill brown
      September 8, 2019

      Otto,

      Good idea as it is presented but it will take years and make no difference now

      1. libertarian
        September 9, 2019

        billy

        For an international business consultant you are remarkably badly informed

        Average FTA outside the EU 14 months , average EU trade deal 12 years

        We just signed another deal, this one with South Korea , interesting tariff arrangements on cars too…..

    2. Mark B
      September 9, 2019

      Because they will not. Instead, they will just fine us.

  86. Mike Stallard
    September 8, 2019

    All he has to do is – nothing. Then, as planned by the EU itself, we leave automatically without any form of deal and become a third country.
    Singapore did this to Malaysia.
    USA did it to us.
    So, in a way did Australia and New Zealand and Canada. And when the Empire was disbanded, they were all left high and dry too.
    But it takes a special kind of grit.
    Have we still got that?

  87. Lester Beedell
    September 8, 2019

    I unsubscribed from the newsletter recently, I supported the Brexit Party because Theresa May was seeking to keep us aligned with the EU
    However we now have a Prime Minister who I voted for in the leadership election and he has enthused me with a spirit of optimism which I haven’t felt for many years, since Margaret Thatcher
    We’ve had a succession of lightweights, not proper Conservatives
    I’m absolutely horrified by the happenings in what is the Mother of Parliaments and as for bercow!

    I see that most of the familiar faces are still present but you’ve been joined by some idiot called Martin from Cardiff, Happy Days and I’m also a tremendous admirer of Donald Trump!
    Lester

    1. bill brown
      September 8, 2019

      Lester Beedell

      Your admiration for Trump fits with your support for Boris, lots of fake news

    2. Fedupsoutherner
      September 8, 2019

      Lester, we’re happy to have you aboard!

  88. Simon Coleman
    September 8, 2019

    You say – ‘He is hostage to stop him negotiating from a position of strength with the EU.’ We now know from several sources that there is no meaningful negotiation taking place. The PM has agreed with your ERG lot that Plan A is No Deal. Instead of giving us the usual waffle, why can’t you admit that simple fact which would make everything much clearer?

    1. Edward2
      September 8, 2019

      You are right Simon the EU repeatedly have said they will not alter their current position.
      They will not move.
      Parliament has rejected the Withdrawal Agreement three times.
      So how would you proceed if you were in charge?

  89. Rien Huizer
    September 8, 2019

    And you have not further recommendations?

  90. Peter Martin
    September 8, 2019

    What happens if Boris Johnson sends off his letter to the EU as directed by Parliament but lets it be known publicly that he doesn’t mean it and is only doing it under duress?

    What if he also signs it as Mick E. Mouse?

    Does the Act say he has to use his real name?

  91. Jiminyjim
    September 8, 2019

    So tell us, Simon, why no negotiation is taking place? What has the EU said? Why is Boris solely responsible for no negotiations taking place? Tell me who has cut off the negotiations, despite the change of the government in the UK?

  92. Think Tanker
    September 8, 2019

    The MP for Hastings and Rye has taken her 246 votes majority and resigned. Take that Boris!
    Many people thought Mrs May only gave her a job so she could put ‘Cabinet Minister’ on her election leaflets.
    No-one knows except Boris why he gave her a job. Now he’s frightened her off by calling an election just when she was making such a brilliant success of it, like she did in the last Cabinet Post. She has gone over to the side of NO ELECTION with her 246 majority.
    She may succeed in her wish to stand as an Independent in letting the Labour Candidate win who only needs 247 extra votes to win minus the vote for Labour by the Independent candidate.
    Isn’t it odd how MPs switch from ideologically long-standing beliefs and heart-felt values such as free enterprise and join parties which are more interfering in the free market and how socialists suddenly become all Liberal . It’s just as if they wish personal power under whatever flag just so long as it is a flag which is blue with dinky little yellow stars on it or as red as a scorched bloodshot bottom.
    There is nothing British about the Remainers, not even their passports

  93. Lindsay McDougall
    September 8, 2019

    It would be political suicide for Mr Johnson or any other Conservative to send that letter asking for an extension to Article 50, which is the principal reason why Corbyn and Benn promoted their grotty, unconstitutional Bill. We all know what Nigel Farage’s attitude is; he wants No Deal and will accept nothing less.

    Mr Johnson has got to take this all the way to the Supreme Court. If the (pro-European) Supreme Court rules against him, he may have to provoke a constitutional crisis by stating that parliament and the Supreme Court are not fit for purpose. Alternatively, he could resign on about Tuesday October 29th, ensuring that Corbyn would have to send that letter, which would lead to Labour being buried at the next General Election. Both courses of action are high risk but so what? “Do or die” means what it says.

  94. villaking
    September 9, 2019

    Sir John,
    The whole premise of your “hostage” analogy relies on your assumption that all Leave voters specifically wanted a no-deal exit rather than any one of the other variants of exit. You have no evidence at all for this. Someone close to me specifically does not want that even though they voted leave, they strongly support a controlled exit with a withdrawal agreement. Are you sure that he is the only one of the 17.4 million to think this way? Evidence?

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