“A once in a generation decision”

The UK government sent every household a leaflet about the EU referendum.

It has as its headline ” A once in a generation decision”. There was no mention of two votes or a second chance to decide. Nor do we need a second ballot.

It said about the decision to stay or leave “This is your decision. The government will implement what you decide”. It also made clear the government strongly recommended staying in, and warned that we could not stay part of the single market whilst leaving the EU.

Many of us voted Leave in good faith that if we won we would leave the EU and its single market, as we wished to do. We also voted secure in the knowledge that the government would implement our wishes and not expect us to vote twice.
We now want to get on with the benefits of leaving. We want the government to energetically pursue new trade deals with non EU countries. We want a new migration system that works for us. We want new fishing and farming policies that boost our home industries.

A Remain oriented Parliament has made heavy weather of honouring these government pledges, but has now reluctantly passed the EU Withdrawal Act. Taken together with the Article 50 letter which Parliament sent by an overwhelming majority, the UK has now done all it needs to do legally to leave on 29 March 2019.

A possible Chequers deal does not implement the wishes of the majority to leave, but looks unlikely to find favour either with the EU or with a significant number of Conservative MPs. Yesterday again at conference members of the party made crystal clear their dislike of Chequers and their wish to get on and leave quickly. There were large crowds for pro Brexit speakers at fringe meetings, and a muted response to Ministers pushing the government line. I urge the government to make clear to the EU that we are currently planning just to leave in accordance with the Acts passed and with the decision of the UK electorate. The sooner the EU believes this is what will happen, the sooner they will want to sort out those things about their continued access to the UK market that some worry about. In practice the UK government is not planning new barriers, but does need to get on with setting out its post 29 March tariff schedule which might provoke a wish to trade tariff free by the EU.

258 Comments

  1. DUNCAN
    October 3, 2018

    I for one appreciate your articles considering you must be very busy during conference week. Thank-you

    I admire the restraint shown in your articles. I don’t believe most of those on here would be able to contain our anger at such betrayal and contempt shown by this PM

    It is obvious to all that this leader has no intentions of implementing the result of the EU referendum result of 2015. Her allies in government will argue she is adhering to the referendum result but we’re all conscious of the fact that this is little more than posturing and that May’s aim is to keep us tied to the EU in whatever way she can

    The Tories that I speak to hold May in total contempt for her lurch to the left, her mild excoriation of Corbyn and her embrace of liberal left political strategies.

    We all know what needs to happen. May and Hammond must go. We want a radical Tory leader who will confront the EU and Marxist Labour. We don’t want a consensus Tory leader.

    1. Gary C
      October 3, 2018

      @ Duncan

      You echo my thoughts.

      I’d add to that if TM and Hammond are allowed to continue with this farce they and the party will not last further than the next election.

      They have been silent in representing the electorate who honoured them with their votes, I for one will not be silent when when telling them ‘NEVER AGAIN!’

    2. Lifelogic
      October 3, 2018

      Indeed all sensible Conservatives (and indeed UKIP voters) hold May in total contempt for her lurch to the left, her pathetic failure to tackle Corbynism, her embrace of liberal left, PC, political strategies, her highest taxes for 40+ years, her interventionism at every turn, her anti business agenda, anti landlord and tenant agenda, her choice of chancellor and her attempted, disingenuous total betrayal over Brexit and her own Mansion House speech.

      Plus of course her vote for me and we will kick you in the teeth Manifesto election throwing and the fact that she is a dim robotic electoral liability. Have I missed anything?

      1. fedupsoutherner
        October 3, 2018

        LL. ‘Have I missed anything?’

        No, nothing except to clarify just how angry we all are at being lied to the whole way through. I cannot believe these are the actions of a supposedly religious woman. How many Hail Mary’s has she had to say?

        1. Lifelogic.
          October 3, 2018

          I think she is CofE. But wiki does say her father was an Anglo Catholic perhaps they do Hail Mary’s? Not my field of “expertise”.

          Maybe she will convert after leaving office (hopefully now) and then repent in the Blair mode?

          1. Lifelogic.
            October 3, 2018

            Having now looked it up:- It seems that the tradition in Protestantism is that the Hail Mary is not a prayer but a salutation. So when the Anglican rosary was developed, some Anglo Catholics used it to say Hail Marys, but most Anglicans used it to say prayers from the Bible or the Book of Common Prayer.

        2. Chris
          October 3, 2018

          Agreed, LL and fedup.

          1. anon
            October 4, 2018

            Have worked out who he is .

    3. Sir Joe Soap
      October 3, 2018

      It will be down to the DUP to call time on this miserable bunch.

      1. ian wragg
        October 3, 2018

        Especially as she now wants a border down the Irish Sea. A land grab pure and simple by the Ar..oles on Brussels., aided and abetted by Treason May and Eeyore.

      2. Harry
        October 3, 2018

        Yes and then the irish electorate will call tome on the DUP

        1. mancunius
          October 6, 2018

          The ‘Irish electorate’ does not exist. There are is the electorate of the RoI, and the electorate of NI. Two different countries.
          In Northern Ireland, the DUP remains the party with the largest number of votes, more than for Sinn Fein.
          And there is still no majority in NI for being taken over by the Irish Republic. In the last poll of the NI population, 30% said they support a United Ireland ‘in the future’ – when asked if they want it now, that percentage dropped to 13%.
          Pretty conclusive, really.

    4. Hope
      October 3, 2018

      Leqdsom was an utter disgrace on Sky last night. She lied to say that the UK would take back its laws etc with Chequers plan. Does she realise how discredited she has become as a person? Does she realise when she says utter rot, deciet and lies the public will turn against her and her rotten party?

      Loads of empty seats in the main hall while dreary boring on line May messages were uttered by remain ministers. Crowds could not enter to listen to Boris and erupted when he he said chuck Chequers. Most of the people present were Tory activists! Eeoyre Hammond and the dullards better wake up fast. Tory supporters and the public are actively turning against May and her treacherous team. They might not vote CORBYN BUT THEY WILL DEFINITELY NOT VOTE May.

      The establishment have learnt nothing, they smear and condemn Boris and the public do not believe it. Eeoyre Hammond puts out fake reports and gets others like BoE to do the same, again, the public does not believe it. It only makes the party untrustworthy. May has proved to be underhand, deceitful and a liar. There is no coming back from her behaviour. No one trusts her.

    5. margaret howard
      October 3, 2018

      DUNCAN

      “We want a radical Tory leader who will confront the EU”

      Confront the EU over what? After all WE voted to leave.

      All they are asking for is that we honour the dues one owes when leaving a club, especially one that turned us from a failing economy of the 1960’/70’s into the world’s 5th largest
      .
      Who will trust us now?

      1. libertarian
        October 3, 2018

        margaret howard

        How many more times are you going to try to peddle the same BS?

        We were the third largest economy when we joined the EEC

        Its not a club and if it was then the assets of that club would be shared amongst the members and our share of those assets would be enormous, so I’d have a think about that if I were you

      2. NickC
        October 3, 2018

        Margaret Howard, The UK was the world’s fifth largest economy in 1972. As you have been told.

        Threatening us with no landing rights for aircraft when aviation is not an EU competence is something that the EU should be confronted with – the “Chicago Convention” (1944) binds all signatories including the EU so it is up to the ICAO, not the EU. We should also confront the EU about its £39bn bribe demand.

        Who will trust the EU now?

      3. Caterpillar
        October 3, 2018

        UK was 4th economy in 1960.

      4. zorro
        October 3, 2018

        Oh dream on – are you really saying that our membership of the EU transformed our economy into the world’s 5th largest. What do you base that on – please supply the figures? Are you saying that the Single Market had that effect? The figures don’t show that. We are the nation that benefits the LEAST from the Single Market. Our economy is mainly based on the service industry!

        zorro

      5. Steve
        October 3, 2018

        Margaret Howard

        “All they are asking for is that we honour the dues one owes when leaving a club, especially one that turned us from a failing economy of the 1960’/70’s into the world’s 5th largest”

        Rubbish. They owe us.

        “Who will trust us now?”

        I’d like to know if government is asking that same question.

    6. Peter
      October 3, 2018

      Perhaps the battle will be when she tries to get the withdrawal bill through parliament?

      It always seems to be a case of wait and see.

      Maybe she is counting on parliamentary arithmetic working in her favour?

      1. bigneil
        October 3, 2018

        Peter – “Always a case of wait and see “- -at £55m a day – a %)£*%$%() expensive wait, but what the hell – -it’s just taxpayer’s cash. “Make more cuts to everything” goes the cry.

    7. Chris
      October 3, 2018

      Well said, Duncan. My thanks too to Mr Redwood for the time and effort he takes on this blog. It is very much appreciated.

    8. Andrew S
      October 3, 2018

      May to go now. Then Boris , with Davis/Mogg/IDS/Redwood cabinet have it sorted in weeks. Otherwise, let us punish remainer Tories at the next election, let the hard left socialists come in and punish cosy middle england remainers, raid your pension funds, take your wealth, ruin your big private businesses. You will deserve it. As an ordinary leave and generally tory friendly voter I can live with that. Do you get it?

  2. Lifelogic
    October 3, 2018

    Exactly, but the appalling PM Appeaser May, the ‘tax to death grim reaper’ Philip Hammond, Brandon Lewis, most of the Civil Service and the rest of the EUphiles are simply not listening. They are just going round saying they did not see the Boris speech, or threatening an election if May does not get her way and accusing Boris of betraying the people of Northern Ireland.

    1. rose
      October 3, 2018

      Can you ever remember an occasion on which a Conservative Party Chairman was boycotted at a party conference by his own party? That almost empty hall was an astonishing sight, even without the long queues for the Brexiteers’ fringe meetings.

  3. Peter Wood
    October 3, 2018

    Good morning,

    Watching the party conferences and the posturing in the EU parliament over the last few days, I’m increasingly of the view that the participants are play acting and deluded. Brexit is fundamentally about sovereignty, terms of trade will adapt to it. People/businesses trade with each other, politicians are the hired help; they will facilitate as required by those who trade and pay their salaries.
    Stop this nonsense.

  4. Ian wragg
    October 3, 2018

    No chance with May and Hammond in charge. Brussels has already agreed subject to more capitulation.
    Just watch and listen to her. Every thing she says is pure semantic.

    1. Kenneth
      October 3, 2018

      I agree. Pure semantics.

      The PM insults us all

      1. Lifelogic
        October 3, 2018

        Indeed when I hear her speak I always think she needs to preface it with: Now children please listen carefully …..

  5. Bob Dixon
    October 3, 2018

    Thank you for reminding us that we are leaving on the 29th of March 2019.

  6. Andy
    October 3, 2018

    It is a decision made by a small majority of your generation – being imposed on my generation and subsequent generations – and we overwhelming do not want it.

    And unlike most decisions this one you are imposing on us strips us of multiple rights that we cherish, seeks to rob us of our identity and will make us poorer.

    Worst of all, your side only won by lying and cheating.

    We have a Parliamentary democracy in this country because MPs are better placed to make complicated decisions than the public. It is no wonder that the vast majority of MPs think Brexit is terrible. They have done their homework and the shambolic Brexiteers have not.

    1. libertarian
      October 3, 2018

      Andy

      Why come on day after day telling lies?

      The polls show a majority still in favour of leaving, you lost , get over it. Its called democracy . If you think we would prefer to be ruled by a bunch of crybabies like you , then you are deluded.

      You keep telling us how much you hate old people, how much you hate this country and how much you love the EU, you come on waving your wad and telling us about your home in France, yet bizarrely you are still here. Why is that?

      Oh and talking of lies, I can’t find anything in the news on the 500,000 job losses you threatened , I can find stories on the EU defence force that you categorically stated wouldn’t be happening though….. hmmm

      1. hans christian ivers
        October 3, 2018

        Libertarian,
        Andy goes too far and you just seem to follow him down the curve, very sad

        1. libertarian
          October 4, 2018

          hans

          Not half as sad as your continued rudeness to JR and your complete lack of posting anything with any content

          My job is to educate the young, naive and gullible such as Andy, before they end up as old grumps like you….

          1. hans christian ivers
            October 4, 2018

            Libertarian,

            I am not rude to JR I am simply disagreeing with his facts and his conclusions as you are with mine when you are presented with facts which are contradictory to your persuasions.

            Your lecturing style does not become you at all and I am very happy to continue presenting the facts to you as they arise

          2. Edward2
            October 4, 2018

            I must have missed these facts you say you present to us all Hans.
            Usually you just pen a few lines making sarcastic trivial negative comments towards others.

          3. libertarian
            October 5, 2018

            hans

            You have never presented a single fact. You post negative comments about the style of our posts, then a few thread later use similar language to tell JR he’s wrong.

            Engage or give up, theres a good chap

    2. Robert
      October 3, 2018

      Not you perhaps Andy, but your children will thank us for leaving the EU. It will become clear to them, if not you, that the Federalism desire of Brussels will continue to subjugate the nation members until most can not stand it any more and it will collapse. Meanwhile the UK will go forward, with it’s sovereignty once more intact from strength to strength. It will do the opposite of what you predict; it will make us richer, give us the rights we cherish, and keep our identity.

      1. margaret howard
        October 3, 2018

        Robert

        ” It will do the opposite of what you predict; it will make us richer, give us the rights we cherish, and keep our identity”
        ==

        What are these rights we are supposed to have lost?

        As for ‘our identity’ – that is becoming more and more American. Not only are we following them into their illegal wars but also as a nation becoming fat by eating too much of their junk food.

        Give me Europe any time.

        1. NickC
          October 4, 2018

          Margaret Howard, Rights lost? – self government; self determination; democratic control over our own government; being able to decide who, and how many, come across our borders; loss of civil and legal rights because of the EAW; loss over our own fish. Is that enough to start with?

          And no, we are no more “American” than we were in the 1950s. You can have the EU any time. We never lost Europe.

      2. hans christian ivers
        October 3, 2018

        Robert,

        Look at the World UK sovereignty in an interdependent world, what century do you live in?

        1. Edward2
          October 4, 2018

          Similar desire for independence that all the nations outside the EU have.
          Outward looking and dealing with the whole world.

        2. libertarian
          October 4, 2018

          hans

          Unnecessary and wrong of course. In the 21st century we are moving towards a more localist control in a global world. Come to one of my seminars and I’ll explain. If you look at the world today the top 10 most successful countries are all small states with very local control .

          Indeed the worlds most successful country, Switzerland, doesn’t really have a government to speak of, its run by local people .

          You ought to study more hans, a lot of the worlds thinkers have also pointed towards localism . Indeed Nassim Taleb ( Antifragile, Black Swan) says that the most successful models are a return to City States . I agree ….. Independence for the South East

          1. hans christian ivers
            October 4, 2018

            Libertarian,

            there is no contradiction between interdependence, localism and independence. The growing trade both physical products and services, growing cultural exchange, increased travelling activity, higher transparency are all a reflection of growing interdependence. They can teach you about the subject at the LSE where you teach.

          2. Edward2
            October 4, 2018

            Oh yes there is Hans.
            The crucial thing is independence joined to democracy.
            It is about who makes your laws and who takes decisions in your nation.

          3. libertarian
            October 5, 2018

            hans

            Collaboration is not the same as being governed from the centre by unelected oligarchs

            I dont need the LSE to tell me that or your rudeness

        3. NickC
          October 4, 2018

          Hans, I live in the 21sy century after Christ. Which century do you live in? Most countries in the world are not in the EU. We voted to not be in the EU. Why is that so difficult for EU nationalists like yourself to understand? Instead you witter on about the British Empire that most of us never experienced, or an “interdependent world” as though that was the same thing as being ruled by Brussels. Get a grip man.

          1. hans christian ivers
            October 4, 2018

            NickC.

            Please, kindly explain to me, what is a an EU nationalist, I was not aware the phenomena existed?

          2. Edward2
            October 4, 2018

            Odd comment Hans as you have told us you can be an EU citizen.

          3. hans christian ivers
            October 5, 2018

            Edward 2

            Interdependence and Brussels are not necessarily contradictory as the EU is a product of interdependence and peace in Europe.

          4. libertarian
            October 5, 2018

            hans

            There have been 35 wars, revolutions, coups, insurrections, uprisings and separatist terrorists guerrilla wars in Europe since 1948…. Remind me how many Europeans have died in the last 20 years due to violent action? What peace exactly ?

    3. JoolsB
      October 3, 2018

      “We have a Parliamentary democracy in this country because MPs are better placed to make complicated decisions than the public.”

      You are joking aren’t you? First I would question that we have a democracy in this country at the moment but many of those MPs, THERE TO REPRESENT US, are career politicians who have never held a proper job in their lives. Their main priorities are their own vested interests and careers. Those are the only complicated decisions they are interested in. What’s best for their constituents and the country come a very poor second.

      The country has spoken and it voted to leave, no ifs, no buts and it certainly did not vote for Chequers. Which part of that do you and all those Euro loving self serving MPs not understand?

      1. Andy
        October 3, 2018

        I have written before about my objections to our political system. Much as I loathe UKIP it is wrong that a party which at one point secured millions of votes had no MPs. It is wrong that the Tories, DUP and SNP are so grossly over-represented in Parliament compared to their vote share. It is wrong that the Greens, UKIP and Lib Dems are so woefully under represnted compared to their vote share. It is wrong – in a grown up democracy – that their is no place in Parliament for those who represent even the most unpleasant voices in our country, be it BNP or Communist.

        I have advocated both age limits for MPs and term limits. That would end your problem with career politicians. Incidentally, many of the Tory Brexiteers have been in Parliament for 30 years or more. I guess you don’t consider those you agree with as ‘career politicians’, eh?

        I have long said our politics is broken. It is the Conservative party, more than anyone, which refuses to fix it.

        1. Edward2
          October 4, 2018

          Changes such as suggested by the boundary commission have been delayed by Lib Dem and Labour opposition.

          Also those you decry as being career politicians have been repeatedly voted back in by their constituents.

          1. hans christian ivers
            October 5, 2018

            Edward2
            Local democracy does and can exist along side nation interdependence and they are not contradictory

          2. Edward2
            October 5, 2018

            The point is you need to be independent as a nation to properly decide how local or how interdependent you wish to be.
            Having mutually beneficial trading and defence agreements with European nations is different to the EU making your laws.

    4. Kenneth
      October 3, 2018

      Our parliamentary democracy decided to let the People decide. It then passed EU Withdrawal Act

      I urge you to abide by our Parliamentary democracy and have faith in the People, our MPs and our country

      1. hans christian ivers
        October 3, 2018

        Kenneth

        yes, our country , People but not our MPs, please you are asking too much

      2. JoolsB
        October 3, 2018

        I have a lot of faith in the people and our country.

    5. Anonymous
      October 3, 2018

      “We have a Parliamentary democracy in this country because MPs are better placed to make complicated decisions than the public…”

      Er, no. Above all else this is the crisis we face now.

      “Worst of all, your side only won by lying and cheating.”

      So the off books for Remain £9m leafleting campaign is not cheating. The off books mulit-million pounds State visit from the PotUS on behalf of remain is not cheating.

      That all the lies told about the EU before and after 1975 is not cheating (especially on disolving of nation states, including our own and freedom of movement.)

    6. NickC
      October 3, 2018

      Andy, The pivot point for age related voting in the Referendum was at the 40 – 45 year old level. Younger than you I understand. Certainly the Leave decision has not therefore been imposed on your generation. Indeed no “generation” has been imposed upon – the decision was a majority national decision irrespective of generations.

      Neither you, nor the many younger than you, have been stripped of multiple rights. The EU is an artificial political construct – an ideology – it has no inherent rights. Any rights the EU “gives” you have been stolen from the EU’s constituent nations in the first place.

      Nor does Leave rob you of your identity. You may continue to be a self-conscious European, if you like, because that identity has nothing to do with the EU, which is merely a political ideology.

      I know of no “lies” by “my” side. I know plenty of lies by the Remain side – from an austerity budget to recession, unemployment, and, wait for it . . . not being able to sign foreign footballers. Remain lies were so ludicrous that Remain became a laughing stock even before the vote. Remains like you conveniently forget that.

      We don’t have Parliamentary democracy because the top tier of UK government is the EU. And, as you well know, the EU isn’t democratic: the EU “parliament” is a fig-leaf akin to the GDR’s, and real power resides with the unelected Commission. One of the reasons we’re not getting Leave is our own UK civil service has become corrupted by the excesses of the Commission’s power.

      1. margaret howard
        October 3, 2018

        NickC

        ” and real power resides with the unelected Commission”
        ==

        Unrepresentative EU? I vote for an MEP, my PM nominates members to the commission, the MEP’s vote for a president.

        I don’t even get to vote for my PM, we have an unelected head of state, house of lords on £350 a day attendance allowance to have a little nap and an all powerful unelected bureaucracy – the REAL power in the land that tell their ministers what to do.

        1. Edward2
          October 4, 2018

          Laws are not made by the Queen nor the House of Lords whereas the EU Commission and Council are very powerful and no citizen in the UK nor Europe gets a vote on who they are.

      2. Cerberus
        October 3, 2018

        Don’t waste your breath, he’s been told this repeatedly over the years.

      3. hans christian ivers
        October 4, 2018

        NickC.

        It is unfortunate you have such a one sided memory what about £ 350 million more to the NHS a week?

        1. Edward2
          October 4, 2018

          When we eventually leave there will be savings by not being members of the EU.
          That money can be spent as the government of the day decides.
          Maybe they will spend it all on the NHS
          Until we actually leave that cannot begin to happen.
          But you already know that hans.

        2. NickC
          October 4, 2018

          Hans, The bus slogan was a suggestion of funding (“Let’s fund . . .”) instead of squandering taxpayer’s money on the EU – it was not a promise, and no amount was specified.

          1. hans christian ivers
            October 5, 2018

            NickC

            the amount was specified

          2. Edward2
            October 5, 2018

            Wrong
            It just said we spend 350 million a week on the EU.
            and that could be spent on our nhs.
            Which is true.

        3. a-tracy
          October 11, 2018

          The leave bus said “We send the EU £350 million a week
          let’s fund our NHS instead || Vote Leave
          let’s take back control

          The Anti-brexit bus went on an eight day tour of the UK Feb 2018 and the airwaves it said:
          ” Brexit to cost £2,000 million a week
          says Government’s own report. Is it worth it?

    7. L Jones
      October 3, 2018

      Good grief, Andy. What a load of tosh your first paragraph is. No matter how often we tell you, you don’t get it, do you? There are many of us Brexiteers who you EVEN YOUNGER THAN YOU, but who are better informed, measured and who believe in their country. Try to be gracious in defeat – people might respect you then.

      You typify the Remainer attitude – spout a loud of tripe, and top it off with an insult or two.

    8. Dennis Zoff
      October 3, 2018

      Thank you Andy

      …now run along and finish your homework, there’s a good little boy! Adults are commenting here.

    9. Steve
      October 3, 2018

      Andy

      “We have a Parliamentary democracy in this country because MPs are better placed to make complicated decisions than the public.”

      No, MP’s hold publicly funded office and therefore answerable to the public. So they have to do as we tell them. The sooner they get to grips with this the better, and being an MP does not give them the right to do as they wish with our sovereignty.

      This country is not a democracy, it is a Constitutional Monarchy.

      “And unlike most decisions this one you are imposing on us strips us of multiple rights that we cherish, seeks to rob us of our identity and will make us poorer.”

      What utter codswallop !

      Ok, you might be slightly poorer short term, but we Brits are not strangers to grafting our way through, which will be necessary after brexit along with a responsibility for civic duty incumbent on all of us.

      We are up for it, if you are not then perhaps you might be better off living in your house in France. Now would be the time for you to decide, as you will lack audience your anti-British whinging after March 29th.

      There will be a lot of work to do, now you either roll your sleeves up and be British and proud by joining us in the effort to rebuild our country or you put your self interests first. I for one am not bothered what you decide, but please stop running our country down and persistently blaming the wrong people !

    10. Original Richard
      October 3, 2018

      “And unlike most decisions this one you are imposing on us strips us of multiple rights that we cherish, seeks to rob us of our identity and will make us poorer.”

      It is the very aim of the EU to extinguish national identity through “ever closer union” and by following a policy of promoting migration within and into the EU.

      I am sure that if you understood the aims of the EU you would be a leaver instead of a remainer!

      “We have a Parliamentary democracy in this country because MPs are better placed to make complicated decisions than the public.”

      We have a representative Parliamentary democracy.

      A Parliament is elected to govern for a maximum period of time and no Parliament can bind the decisions of a following Parliament. Although a Parliament is sovereign it does not have the authority to give away the country’s sovereignty.

      Parliament made it very clear that membership of the EU would be decided by the population as a whole and it’s decision would be implemented.

      There was a clear majority to leave in the number of votes cast but an even clearer majority when viewed using Parliamentary boundaries.

      If our Parliamentary representatives were to vote in Parliament according to how their individual electorates voted then there would be Parliamentary majority for Brexit of 64 : 36.

      It is only those who do not believe in democracy (government by the people) who wish to thwart Brexit.

  7. Lifelogic
    October 3, 2018

    Meanwhile is seems that once again (in the James Damore style) male physicists, engineers, mathematicians, computer programmers etc. are expected to suffer very clear and very strong anti-male discrimination when applying for jobs or promotions at many publicly funded institutions and even private companies. If they dare to point this simple truth (even gently & with very clear and overwhelming evidence) it seems they are suspended or sacked.

    This is hardly an efficient way to run science research programmes, promoting by gender and politics rather than by (gender blind) genuine ability. Certainly it is a good way to piss off most of your best staff. Doubtless Theresa (gender pay gap warrior) May would approve.

    We can hardly expect women to be equally represented in these areas when so few choose even to study these subjects (at A level let alone higher degree levels).

    A level computer studies is about 9:1 male and Physics about 8:2 and Further Maths about 5:2 male for example.

    1. Cynic
      October 3, 2018

      It seems that diversity is being used to introduce quotas by the back door. So much for a meritocracy.
      If we are to compete with the far East we need the best people in place.

      1. ian wragg
        October 3, 2018

        We won’t be allowed to compete with the Far East or anyone else due to the common rule book and non regression clause May has agreed in the Withdrawal Agreement.

      2. Lifelogic
        October 3, 2018

        Exactly selection on merit please. If that means five men for every woman in some jobs and the reverse in others so be it.

        1. rose
          October 3, 2018

          Not much selection on merit in the Supreme Court. Of course there are overwhelmingly more distinguished male lawyers in their sixties and seventies than women, because women weren’t practising in serious numbers when this cohort of men set out on their professional lives. If the women haven’t served the long and arduous apprenticeship, they shouldn’t be jumped up on to the bench in the name of “diversity”. In the same way, immigrants in their sixties and seventies were not practising at the relevant time in the overwhelming numbers needed to produce Supreme Court Judges now: there simply weren’t enough of them coming into the country at the relevant time. There was, however, another minority already in the country, Jews, and these are more than represented in the Supreme Court. In a few decades things will be quite the other way around, both for women and for immigrants, as so many are now practising in the lower echelons of the law, but they should not be forced that way unnaturally.

      3. Dennis Zoff
        October 3, 2018

        Cynic

        Indeed.

        Shame we cannot use meritocracy analysis in Government today, but then again, apart from a few exceptions, we would have nobody sufficiently capable to run a Government from this current crop of rather dismal Politicians?

      4. Cerberus
        October 3, 2018

        Yet no quotas for hard physical jobs like refuse collection or site labourers, wonder why.

    2. Anonymous
      October 3, 2018

      It is all very well attacking stale, pale, males but these are young lads who are being discriminated against. The sons of mothers.

      It will not win the women’s vote cleanly, therefore. Especially when their men can’t earn and they (the women) are forced to work with no options but to slug it out until retirement, like men have done historically (and died younger for it.)

      The GP crisis is largely down to the preference for females. Look at any med school to see how few boys get in.

      1. rose
        October 3, 2018

        Yes, it is worrying having a husband, son, or grandson these days – or son-in-law.

      2. Caterpillar
        October 3, 2018

        I think it was shifting towards 60+% five years back, don’t know now. This was coupled with a lower career number of hours (years) worked – don’t know about the number of patients successfully treated/diagnosed. Guess you are right without shift in structure of medical care or society.

  8. Sakara Gold
    October 3, 2018

    I listened to the PM being interviewed on BBC R4 yesterday. It appeared to me that she was considering yet further compromises in her attempts to get an agreement with the EU, this time restrictions on our ability to strike trade deals outside of the bloc.

    The EU is using the Ireland border issue to delay/prevent an agreement. Having recently returned from Eire, it was obvious reading their press that the anti-Treaty party Fianna Fáil was making much political capital out of this.

    Once again the issue of the border is polarising opinion across the water. Hard men on both sides in Ulster are carrying out punishment beatings and “kneecappings” in their communities again, as a new generation of activists comes to the fore. We must beware of further erosion of the spirit of the Good Friday Agreement lest a resurgence of the internecine civil war of the 80’s and 90’s occurs.

    1. rose
      October 3, 2018

      Are you saying we must forego national independence and freedom for fear of the IRA? What an extraordinary irony. Perhaps I have misread you.

  9. The PrangWizard
    October 3, 2018

    I hope Mr Redwood supported Mr Johnson yesterday by attending his meeting, and that today you will stay away from your leader’s.

    She will misuse any show of loyalty and throw it back in your face.

    1. stred
      October 3, 2018

      According to Facts4eu yesterday a Mr Hosking tried to donate £700k to the campaign at May’s disastrous election for candidates to use against Remain opposition and it was thrown back in his face on the instructions of you know who. This is further evidence that she is working for the other side.

      https://facts4eu.org/news.shtml

  10. Nig l
    October 3, 2018

    Even today informed sources say Theresa May is planning more concessions to keep us in the customs union, is she real?

    Again as usual the Remain side resorted to personal attacks on Boris rather than the substance of his arguement, indeed they have never addressed/countered your propositions over the months making it transparently clear the sterility of their position.

    Their sudden interest in the Good Friday Agreement, in itself, dubious democratically using the NI border as a reason to thwart our wishes, or the EU to promote a united Ireland is disgraceful and again obvious to all and sundry.

    My Pinocchio nose award will be to all the lackeys leaping to give her a standing ovation, gush over her speech etc when the truth is contained in your comments about the real people around the edges and their muted ( you are too polite!) responses to Ministers.

    1. Denis Cooper
      October 3, 2018

      The Irish David is about to slay the British Goliath with a pebble, namely the 0.1% of British economic output which is driven across the land border between the two, but that will only happen because the British leader actually wants it to happen so she has a pretext for keeping the British people under the thumb of the EU.

      1. Stred
        October 3, 2018

        May lied again, saying that unless Chequers was adopted, the UK would be split. Very patriotic and then the BBC news found s dim Tory boy to support her and trash Boris. Anyone would think that the ERG proposals, backed by he resigned and duped ministers, had never been published. –
        Like members of my own family who rely on the Guardian and Evening Standard.

      2. Lifelogic
        October 3, 2018

        Indeed. She calls for the party to “unite”. What, unite behind the fake, Brexit in name only, fraudulent, socialist, robotic, tax increasing and regulation increasing, anti-business, electoral liability that is May & Hammond never!

  11. Adam
    October 3, 2018

    The PM is our main blockage. A leader honouring Brexit would achieve what our nation decided.

    1. Alan Jutson
      October 3, 2018

      Adam

      Agreed.

      She could still pull it out of the bag and gain the support of 17.4 million people if she withdrew Chequers and all offers made so far, and went straight for WTO terms, listed the tariff rates ready for implementation on March 2019 when we do actually leave..

      We would then see what the EU was really made of !

  12. Cheshire Girl
    October 3, 2018

    I was at the meeting last night at the City Library. I was very happy to be able to hear the views of Jacob Rees- Mogg and yourself. It was great to see that the venue was packed out with supporters. You spoke for so many. It gave us renewed hope.

    1. eeyore
      October 3, 2018

      Thank you for this brief but encouraging report. However, as soon as the conference ends it’s back to Brussels for a “frantic” week of talks and, diabolo volente, a Faustian pact signed in blood.

      I hope members think hard about giving Mrs May the customary standing ovation. They will want to be kind to a lady in difficulties, but she will certainly take it as approval.

      1. Paul H
        October 3, 2018

        She doesn’t deserve kindness, certainly not after her disgraceful treatment of Davis – and the cabinet more generally at Chequers.

  13. Mark B
    October 3, 2018

    Good morning

    I am still waiting for post from yesterday to be put up. No links. Not long, two short sentences. No names and on topic. Just the truth.

    A Remain oriented Parliament has made heavy weather of honouring these government pledges . . .

    This is what puzzles me. We the people had a clear choice. Our system of government and MP’s with all its faults or, a Supranational government over which we have little say and no control. And yet our parliament despite being given our preference does not like the decision. To them I say this. Either you want to do the job or stop taking the pee and let someone else who does do it. Simple.

  14. Old Albion
    October 3, 2018

    But what Camerons government meant was ‘a once in a generation decision’ provided you vote to ‘remain’
    It falls exactly in line with EU policy. Vote, vote and vote again until you give us the answer we want.
    With a ‘remainer’ PM at the helm we should expect EU tactics. We need a ‘leave’ PM, but who …………………

  15. Helena
    October 3, 2018

    I do not think you understand the very basics of our constitution. Parliament decides, not “the people”. Parliament can and does change its mind (so can “the people”). March 2019, when we leave the EU, is already almost 3 years since the original vote. The lapse of time, plus the fact that so many Leave promises have been broken, makes a new vote imperative to maintain the health of our democracy

    1. A.Sedgwick
      October 3, 2018

      No it is you who does not understand.

      Parliament passed the decision to the people with the Referendum – very clear and straightforward.

      The possibly illegal leaflet the Cameron government sent to every household is as explicit as it can get – it is the people’s decision. I believe he even said the A50 would be sent immediately, but he just went off in a huff when he lost and somehow we ended up with the appalling May.

    2. Know-Dice
      October 3, 2018

      1. We havn’t left yet.
      2. The “deal” hasn’t been done yet.

      So, if a new vote returns a “Remain” result then surely there needs to be a third and deciding vote?

    3. Sir Joe Soap
      October 3, 2018

      As our host says, Parliament did decide to enact A50 to leave the EU without a deal in place. Clearly the government should therefore be acting on that instruction.

      1. BretW
        October 3, 2018

        No no..that’s not it..we have already become a vassal state and so have no say anymore so just shut up and take your medcine

        1. NickC
          October 3, 2018

          BretW, Article 50 was written into the EU’s constitution, not ours.

    4. Ian wragg
      October 3, 2018

      Stop talking rubbish. People are more likely to vote leave if there was to be a second vote which there definitely shouldn’t be.
      Only the most deranged of people could think good of the EU after their antics.
      Boris was spot on.

    5. Mockbeggar
      October 3, 2018

      On this occasion, the Govt. quite clearly, in their controversial pro-remain leaflet delegated their sovereignty to the people of the UK in a referendum on this question and committed themselves to carrying out the decision whether they liked it or not. If they weren’t prepared to do that, they should not have called a referendum in the first place.

    6. Peter
      October 3, 2018

      Utter cobblers. 33.5 million people voted in the knowledge that the result would be honoured. How can you expect anyone to believe in a second vote? Will Chukka tell us “This time we really, really promise to honour the result?” Unless of course Tony and Nick don’t like it. The result of the vote of the 33.5 million must be respected.

      1. Steve
        October 4, 2018

        Peter

        “Will Chukka tell us….”

        Who ?

    7. Steve
      October 4, 2018

      Helena

      “The lapse of time, plus the fact that so many Leave promises have been broken, makes a new vote imperative to maintain the health of our democracy”

      So those who would sell our sovereignty down the pan can ‘manipulate’ the result to get the answer they want, and we will be dumb enough not to realise the stitch up.

      You must think we came down in the last shower, besides the EU already played that trick in Ireland to get them into the euro.

  16. Tory Western
    October 3, 2018

    Your arrogance is breathtaking, how dare you presume to know what I and millions of others voted for. I voted to Leave. I want us to join the EEA – trade but no politics. Millions of others want the same. Chequers will do me. Your brutish shrill “no deal”, with our ports clogged up and food rationed and firms like Toyota, Nissan and Siemens leaving, will NOT do me

    1. Anonymous
      October 3, 2018

      Then you ought to have abstained or voted Remain. What caused the referendum was the issue of freedom of movement. If remaining in the EEA does not stop that then it is not what leavers voted for.

    2. Know-Dice
      October 3, 2018

      The only choice was “Remain” or “Leave”, does Chequers deliver either of those? Not in my book…

      EEA as has been explained many times here is not achievable, there will be someone along shortly to explain why….

    3. Sir Joe Soap
      October 3, 2018

      The EEA doesn’t let us control our borders.
      The EU has rejected Chequers.
      So what do you do now?

      1. Tory Western
        October 3, 2018

        There was NOTHING on the ballot which mentioned our borders. NOTHING. I voted to leave, but I certainly didn’t vote to restrict immigration. I want an open society – I don’t want one based on the EU but I certainly don’t want one based on Nigel Farage’s 1950s grey fantasies. Anyone who claims that the referendum is a basis for reducing immigration is not telling the truth – it was not on the ballot paper

          1. Tory Western
            October 5, 2018

            Not. On. The. Ballot. Paper.

        1. L Jones
          October 3, 2018

          And you can get every single fact onto a ballot paper, can you, ToryW?

          Perhaps you should have done some more research, then, to educate yourself about what leaving the EU would actually mean. It’s not everyone else’s fault all the time, Tory W. Sometimes you have to take the blame for your own ignorance. All the facts were out there for you – perhaps just not every one of them on Facebook.

        2. Cerberus
          October 3, 2018

          Carry on, you might convince yourself eventually.

    4. Denis Cooper
      October 3, 2018

      How can Chequers do you if you want to stay in the EEA? And would that be the EEA as it actually is, or a hypothetical new EEA involving a customs union?

    5. fedupsoutherner
      October 3, 2018

      Tory Western. You obviously don’t believe in democracy then. You don’t understand what a democratic vote means.

    6. Alison
      October 3, 2018

      Voting Leave means NOT being a member of the EEA. While I love my European relatives, friends and colleagues, EEA means freedom of movement. No. We must look after our own people.

    7. Mockbeggar
      October 3, 2018

      I know what I voted for, and it wasn’t Chequers. You seem to have swallowed the Project Fear bait hook line and sinker.

    8. Roy Grainger
      October 3, 2018

      You first say how dare anyone presume to know what you voted for then you say that millions of people voted for the same thing as you. See the contradiction ?

      Notice how the only politicians calling for a second referendum are those who voted Remain ? What conclusion do you draw from that ?

    9. Caterpillar
      October 3, 2018

      Tory Western, A vote to leave is a vote to leave, that was the offer. Of course after leaving a party could stand on a policy to join EEA, or any other policy. This though is after leaving and the Govt regaining full control. Same with immigration policy.

    10. libertarian
      October 4, 2018

      Tory Western

      We dont have to assume there has been lots of evidence of the majority reasons people voted to leave. None of the top 3 would have allowed us to stay in the EEA. An option of course that wasn’t offered and is not offered by the EU

      I do NOT believe that you voted leave.

      1. hans christian ivers
        October 6, 2018

        Libertarian,

        You really lot it on interdependence which is growing in the world with or without the EU and your interesting hypothesis on local democracy which is also growing along side of it. Happy to take up your offer of attending one of your lecturers, I think we both have to look up rudeness again.

  17. oldtimer
    October 3, 2018

    The EU probably thinks it has got Mrs May and her government over a barrel. They are encouraged in this belief by briefings from Remainers and the official Opposition. They will continue to push her into a corner. It will require a parliamentary defeat of her final proposals unless, against all recent form, she changes tack and reverts to her Lancaster House strategy. I no longer trust what she says. But I am curious to discover what form of words she cooks up for her conference speech today.

    1. Sir Joe Soap
      October 3, 2018

      They don’t need to push her into a corner, she walks there.
      They know they can reject everything she says she wants, safe in the knowledge that she will capitulate on anything that keeps he in power. It’s time for the DUP to act and call time on this woman.

  18. hans christian ivers
    October 3, 2018

    JR.

    Nice to see you at Boris as the Guardian called it second rate speech.

    Wold it not be a good idea to widen the themes you cover on this site?

    1. sm
      October 3, 2018

      Hans, why don’t you set up your own blog, and then we can all suggest a broad spectrum of themes that Mr Redwood tends not to cover?

      I for one would be interested in:

      1. a discussion on the poor quality of many classical singers of today compared to those of the Viennese school of a century ago

      2. was Thomas Cromwell, according to a new biography, more or less like the character depicted in Hilary Mantel’s two brilliant novels?

      In the meantime, I am happy to read Mr Redwood’s intelligent and informed daily thoughts on matters relating to the body politic.

      1. hans christian ivers
        October 3, 2018

        SM,

        I do agree with you that JRs blog is informed.

        thank you

    2. Sir Joe Soap
      October 3, 2018

      Worried these arguments are taking hold?

      No. We want this issue resolved according to the will of the people. Until then cover away.

      1. hans christian ivers
        October 3, 2018

        Sir Joe Soap,

        According to the “will of the people” this of course assumes the people knew exactly what they voted for and I am not sure we agree on that point

        1. Edward2
          October 3, 2018

          Odd that only leave voters were lacking according to you.

        2. NickC
          October 3, 2018

          Hans, No it doesn’t. Democracy could not even exist if the criterion was that absolutely every person “knew exactly what they voted for”. It is not a matter of knowledge, it is a matter of judgement. All you do is reveal your very continental attitude that those set in positions of power always know best. We think differently.

          1. hans christian ivers
            October 4, 2018

            NickC.

            I always believe in the people’s vote I would agree with you our politicians have proven they do not know any better, so I totally support your point

        3. Alison
          October 4, 2018

          Dear Mr Ivers, Almost every single Remainer I speak to is ignorant about the EU, what we the UK pay it, how it operates etc etc

        4. Alan Jutson
          October 4, 2018

          hans

          Did you read the “Five Presidents Report” before voting.

          It outlined the future travel of the EU written by, believe it or not, the five Presidents of the EU.

          Thus remain is not the EU remain as is. it is as it will become.

    3. fedupsoutherner
      October 3, 2018

      Hans. It might surprise you to know that I think most of us are more than happy with the themes John is choosing to write about at the moment. This EU business IS the most important thing on the agenda right now. If you don’t like it then don’t take part and find another blog you are more suited to.

      1. hans christian ivers
        October 3, 2018

        fedupsoutherner.

        Thank you for your kind input and ideas. I simply think our country has so many challenges , which we could cover as well?

        1. NickC
          October 3, 2018

          Hans, Well, why not talk about your country yourself? Someone must be able to come up with a good word about the EU, because I haven’t heard one yet. Why not you? We’re waiting . . . .

          1. hans christian ivers
            October 4, 2018

            NickC.

            I was not aware that the EU is a country and my country the UK and its future is what we are debating?

            Happy to say some good things about the institution the EU.

          2. NickC
            October 4, 2018

            Hans, The EU has legal personality and can sign treaties. Legally the EU is as much of a state as the UK or the USA.

            I doubt your country is the UK because you always support the EU over the UK – and over us.

      2. L Jones
        October 3, 2018

        Well said, Fedup. You speak for us all (except Hans, obviously).

    4. Lifelogic.
      October 3, 2018

      Whereas Theresa May and Philip Hammond just inspire doom, gloom and depression. Doubless Hammond is already planning looking for yet more back door tax increases ready for his Autumn Statement. This so this government can piss more money down the drain on HS2, green crap and the likes.

    5. libertarian
      October 3, 2018

      hans

      That would be the Guardian that has been blacklisted by the party it supports? Hmm they must be right then

      I guess you dont like the themes because you’ve got not argument to use.

      Start your own blog and talk about whatever you want

      1. hans christian ivers
        October 3, 2018

        I like to diversified conversations about the big challenges this country faces which is significantly more than the EU, which JR seems to be discussing continuously leading us down a blind alley

        1. libertarian
          October 4, 2018

          hans

          The problem with that is that we can’t really make any decisions until we know what is happening with Brexit.

          You see the EU regulates so much of our INTERNAL economy and life that trying to formulate plans to say build more housing, nationalise industries, scrap HS2 , unmothball perfectly functional nuclear power stations etc are all predicated on whether or not we remain under the yoke of the EU

        2. NickC
          October 4, 2018

          Hans, Don’t be silly. The EU has commandeered numerous “competences” where the UK has virtually no power. We therefore cannot face any “challenge” that is also an EU competence.

      2. hans christian ivers
        October 4, 2018

        Libertarian.

        I suppose you mean “no arguments”

    6. ian wragg
      October 3, 2018

      Just go and annoy someone else Hans, there must be plenty of sights to see there in Brussels.

      1. hans christian ivers
        October 3, 2018

        Ian,

        I always know I can count on you with one of the best and most intelligent inputs.

        thank you

  19. Michael O'Sullivan
    October 3, 2018

    Chequers will not be agreed to by Brussels..they are also reading between the lines and know full well that even if Mrs May found a deal with them, others would come along and overturn everything, so there will be no agreement for a generation or two, or until Britain comes to it’s senses..there will be no cherry picking allowed and no FTA either, it will be to WTO rules and Tariffs, and there will have to be a hard border reestablished in Ireland..

    In Ireland we have the ludicrous situation now of DUP MPs , a party who is not even in government, propping up a westminster led tory government to the preferment of English politics over that of the their homeland and fellow countrymen. Foster &Co would now pretend to gravitate away from Mrs May to more extreme right wing if it suited. Such silly games are being noted for what they are and I have no doubt a response from the EU will come in due course. In the meantime let DUP be warned that the demographics are changing fast and Ireland and the Irish people both north and south will not forget..that she thinks she can meddle with the Good Friday agreement in any way she likes to suit local grubby tory faction fighting says it all.

  20. Denis Cooper
    October 3, 2018

    I saw Theresa May on TV last night saying that “WTO tariffs” on imports would kick in the moment we left the EU without a deal. So, JR, that flatly contradicts your “In practice the UK government is not planning new barriers”, in practice she intends to deliberately punish the entire population if Tory MPs do not go along with her crazy Chequers plan plus its recently mooted extra concessions.

    I could drop a line to our local paper pointing out what Martin Howe QC has been saying about this for the past two years:

    http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2018/09/29/will-the-government-confirm-it-is-not-planning-new-barriers-at-the-ports-to-delay-components-coming-in/#comment-963772

    but what’s the point? She is not stupid, she is just showing her deep contempt for ordinary people by deliberately setting out to mislead them.

    1. Denis Cooper
      October 3, 2018

      https://news.sky.com/story/pm-dismisses-boris-johnsons-speech-as-a-good-show-as-she-digs-in-over-chequers-plan-11515423

      “She also confirmed the UK would fall back on World Trade Organisation tariffs with the EU in the absence of an agreement with Brussels.

      “If we’re in a no-deal situation there isn’t an agreed trading relationship for the future,” she said. “We would go onto the basis of WTO tariffs and so those WTO tariffs would kick in.”

      Tariffs ranging from 10% for finished cars up to around 35% for some foodstuffs have been considered an inevitable consequence of a no-deal Brexit, but some Brexiteer MPs argue they need not be applied if the UK leaves the bloc without an agreement.”

      But not Theresa May, as far as she is concerned it is a useful threat and so she will not set out to reassure people that she would not allow it to happen.

      Reply There are no WTO tariffs.The UK will decide what tariffs to place on imports

      1. Denis Cooper
        October 3, 2018

        Well, as my second comment is still in moderation, JR, nobody can see your reply that “There are no WTO tariffs” despite what she said …

        1. forthurst
          October 3, 2018

          I presume there are maximum tariffs for members of the WTO unless dumping can be proven. Not clear who she is trying to punish or threaten to punish.

          1. Denis Cooper
            October 4, 2018

            Us, of course, we are the ones who would pay higher prices if she decided to punish us by imposing tariffs on imported goods.

      2. Stred
        October 3, 2018

        Does she really believe that we have to apply 35% to foodstuffs? We may have to apply equal tariffs to all countries and suffer having good quality Australian and Argentinian beef, but how about 10% tariff, which would protect our farmers but harm Irish. Her statements just weaken her negotiating position. Is she just working for the worst deal and a second vote or is she just thick? Or perhaps both.

    2. hans christian ivers
      October 3, 2018

      Dennis Cooper
      there will according to the WTO rules be applied tariffs on certain products like car-parts, this is not May making it up

      1. libertarian
        October 3, 2018

        hans

        I think you need a better understanding of WTO my friend. As long as you are fair to all you can scrap tariffs , there are certain maximum tariffs that you can chose to apply on certain things, such as motor vehicles

      2. NickC
        October 3, 2018

        Hans, Not so. We could unilaterally decide to impose no tariffs on all, or some of our imports.

    3. NickC
      October 3, 2018

      Denis Cooper, Indeed, there are no such things as “WTO tariffs” – each country sets its own tariff schedule. Provided we stay within the WTO’s trading system rules we could put 10% on imported cars, or 2.5%. That’s our choice, the WTO does not specify tariffs levels that we must impose, provided those tariffs are generally low and do not discriminate between countries.

      1. Henry Spark
        October 3, 2018

        The Uk will impose tariffs, so Uk consumers will have to pay more for their goods. The Eu will impose tariffs, so UK exporters will lose market share because their goods will become more expensive. That’s Brexit for you – anti-free trade, and a lose-lose bargain

        1. Denis Cooper
          October 4, 2018

          Why will the UK impose tariffs? Because our Prime Minister wished to punish us? Certainly not from any legal obligation, as explained in my as yet unpublished comment praying in aid Martin Howe QC.

        2. libertarian
          October 4, 2018

          Henry Spark

          You know this based on what evidence?

          I’m sure you’re right , no one in Europe will ever buy a mobile phone again, or a cancer scanner or a Coldplay album etc etc

        3. NickC
          October 4, 2018

          Henry Spark, Actually we do not operate without tariffs currently – the EU sets our tariffs. So, in the EU, UK consumers have to pay more for goods imported from the rest of the world. The EU will lose some market share in the UK: that’s good, not bad, because we will import more from the RoW instead, at lower prices.

          1. Know-Dice
            October 5, 2018

            And don’t forget that 80% of the EU’s “external” tariff gets paid in to EU coffers…

    4. BretW
      October 3, 2018

      She is not stupid..she is the PM.. but she has been listening to this tory right wing bullshit now for twenty years or more so come hell or high water and one way or another she’s going to deliver brexit..whatever brexit..she can’t lose..because that’s what the people voted for and that’s it- she will still be PM

      1. Denis Cooper
        October 3, 2018

        If she is not stupid then she is a liar, you must take your pick.

  21. Anonymous
    October 3, 2018

    Such a pity that the true Conservatives are to been seen at the fringe tents rather than on the Pyramid stage.

    May is to appeal to us to support her to keep Corbyn out.

    No. Never again. I’m not voting for fake Tories to keep *the others* out as I have done repeatedly.

    The Brexit vote has been a revelation if nothing else. Even its nemesis has a communist name: The People’s Vote.

    1. Gary C
      October 3, 2018

      @ Anonymous

      Re: No. Never again. I’m not voting for fake Tories to keep *the others* out as I have done repeatedly.

      The one thing TM has managed to achieve is to destroy the trust of the electorate, her actions will not be forgotten.

      1. Steve
        October 4, 2018

        Gary C

        Very true indeed. Once the trust is gone it’s game over.

  22. Everhopeful
    October 3, 2018

    If the results of a democratic decision can be questioned or even overturned let’s have a rerun of the 1975 Referendum shall we? Only this time let us be in full command of the facts! ( Oh and while we are at it a rerun of every election ever…will there be more in the future if the 2016 Ref is denied? )
    Democracy was what the elite wanted in 1832 ( or did they concede the vote through fear 1789?) …they made us believe in it…so they must honour it! It has suited them well until now.

  23. Alan Jutson
    October 3, 2018

    I guess it depends upon what Mrs may say’s today whether she is then voted down by Conservative Mp’s or not.

    This really is the last day for Mp’s to make up their minds about Brexit.

    Either they trust the Prime Minister with Brexit or they do not not.

    If a decision cannot be made after today then we will all be stuck with her through to the end, and a poor Brexit (Chequers or less) will leave the Conservatives infighting over a festering EU sore for decades.

    The people made their choice the Party Mp’s have to be honest and make theirs.

    Boris summed it up well yesterday, as did Nigel Farage in a EU session in Brussels.

    The EU have been better negotiators than we have, have had a better plan (be totally intransigent) and they know it !

    1. getahead
      October 3, 2018

      Not sure they are better negotiators. They were made aware from the start that our PM did not want to leave the EU. She was not negotiating. She was agreeing with them.

      1. JoolsB
        October 3, 2018

        Exactly!

    2. Chris
      October 3, 2018

      Re third sentence, AJ, they seemed to have accepted her call to arms and have supported her. Green light to go ahead with that which shall not be named, Chequers. May is now apparently describing Chequers as a FTA.

      1. Alan Jutson
        October 4, 2018

        Chris

        Seems like Mr Tusk today has said the EU has offered the UK a Canada plus, plus, plus, deal.
        He says its always been on the table, but May has refused it. !

        Aware that David Davis on Marr on Sunday about 3-4 months ago said he was working towards a Canada Plus Plus plus, before he resigned over the Chequers duplicity.

        Who do we believe. !!!

        May, Tusk, Davis ?

  24. Bryan Davies
    October 3, 2018

    I think what got up my nose was the approach of the BBC regarding the speach by Boris was that those attending were referred to as a “crowd” Yeah right – give the BBC and inch……
    Look forward to seeing the crowd at TMs chat this afternoon.

  25. DUNCAN
    October 3, 2018

    It feels as though we are at that pivotal moment which will decide if the UK chooses democracy and freedom (Leave) or chooses subjugation and intimidation (Remain)

    It’s nice to see the DUP showing some aggression and standing for what is right and proper

    It’s time to dispense with May and Hammond and take back our party from the forces of the pro-EU liberal left

    1. NickC
      October 3, 2018

      Duncan, The Conservative party, especially its MPs have made it clear that they will not depose Theresa May. They’ve had two years. It was apparent from the autumn of 2016 that, at best, Mrs May did not know what she was doing. As it turns out – with Mrs May binning DExEU’s white paper, and her authorising the EU getting Chequers before the Cabinet did – it is apparent that she is not incompetent but deliberately scheming for Remain.

  26. agricola
    October 3, 2018

    Problem is the PM is bloody minded, taking it as a personal insult that anyone should not agree with her vision of Brexit, which I might add is a dogs breakfast and not in any way Brexit. Witness her reaction to Boris’s speech. Pretended to know little about it, seeing it as a diversion from her way forward. In one word, contempt.
    Boris spelt it out yesterday most eloquently, a refreshing change in presentation from the grey men of conference, though I do give credit to Raab and our Foreign Secretary for what they had to say.
    If the PM is stupid enough to dig her heels in further today, if she continues to pretend that she has the only solution to Brexit and the NI border, then she must go. It may be inconvenient at present to force her resignation, but she must be left in no doubt that her power base is not strong enough to force through a version of Brexit that is not Brexit at all. I hope that such a response at conference produces a very muted reaction. I predict that a failure to appreciate the reality of trying to sell rotting fruit on a wet Saturday afternoon will lead to the demise of the Tory party in the country at large.

    1. NickC
      October 3, 2018

      Agricola, Mrs May’s “vision of Brexit” is Remain. Chequers effectively keeps us in the single market for goods and agricultural products (which opens the door to the CJEU and CAP and CFP) and in a customs union (and even on that she seems to be veering towards “the” customs union). That’s Remain. Tory Brexit MPs have been salami-sliced into irrelevance.

      1. agricola
        October 3, 2018

        Well she did nothing to worry Agneta. We the country at large are no better informed as to her intentions on Brexit apart from her usual platitudes , made a nonsense by Chequers. I can only assume Chequers still stands in her mind as her way forward. I judge this to be worse than remain because we have absolutely no control. I do not share your judgement that Tory leave MPs have been made irrelevant.

        1. NickC
          October 4, 2018

          Agricola, I hope you are right, and I am wrong. But battles are not won with hope but by planning, firepower, and action. Indeed, without Tory Leave MPs we would be lost (just as we would be lost without UKIP). But the Leave MPs have been too complacent, too tribal, and too much lacking the winning instinct.

  27. Brian Tomkinson
    October 3, 2018

    Mrs May has little credibility. Her actions don’t match her words. She is duplicitous. There would be no surprise if she capitulated once again to the EU. The only question is would it be capitulation or co-ordination? The whole process has been a cynical charade. Remember Maastricht when party trumped country. If it happens again your party will never be forgiven.

  28. Tad Davison
    October 3, 2018

    I really cannot abide a turncoat, somebody who says all the right things (Lancaster House speech) to get elected, then reneges on it. The public didn’t fully trust May even at the last general election and they were right to. No wonder she blanched at the outcome, not being given a mandate to screw us over.

    The people want out, they voted out, and out is what they must have. If May cannot deliver and wishes to dance to the tune of her true puppet masters in the EU, then no iffs, no buts, we NEED TO BE RID OF MAY NOW!!!!!!

    It’s up to the Tories if they want to live through another harsh period of political winter, but the electorate will not forgive nor forget in a hurry for persistently lumbering us with these duds!

    Tad Davison

    Cambridge

    1. GD
      October 4, 2018

      Really …. you feel like commenting on a MP’s page who does not even represent your constituency (assuming you really live in Cambridge) but then again you are unlikely to find a better congregation of Daily Express readers ! Hope you are feeling at home.

      I understand that things like reasoning , coherent thinking does not naturally come to Brexiteers but if you somehow manage exercise that round thing between your ears …. you might be surprised to realize that TM did not get a majority in 2017 as may be people did not like the hard Brexit she tried to sell in the Lancaster house speech ! Apologies if this realization is painful as it does not fit your warped vision of the world.

  29. English Pensioner
    October 3, 2018

    What is happening is just increasing the public disbelief in their politicians. The majority of politicians don’t appear to care about what the people want or voted for and are totally undemocratic in their outlook. We were offered “IN” or “OUT”, not half in or half out, nor do we want this. We voted to get OUT.
    Those who want a second vote are “good” Europeans who believe in giving the people a succession of votes until they vote the “right” way. Maybe that is what they do on the Continent, but it is not the British way of doing things.

    I support Boris, he may be a bit of a maverick, but he attracts attention and he would certainly have my support. In a way, he’s a British version of Trump who seems to have been good for America, succeeding where others have failed and boosting the US economy. I have more belief in Boris achieving what we want that most of the members of the present Cabinet.

    1. Bob Dixon
      October 3, 2018

      Here Here

    2. fedupsoutherner
      October 3, 2018

      Hear,hear to that English Pensioner!! Right on every point.

    3. Chris
      October 3, 2018

      Re your last para, I too would support Boris as opposed to the “Dancing Queen” with “vacuous” soundbites. See Comments section of the Tel. article on May’s speech. The situation is desperately serious for the UK. The UK does not deserve this, and indeed we gave our answer loud and clear in the Ref. question.

      1. fedupsoutherner
        October 3, 2018

        Chris, yes, what was that ‘dancing’ all about? She looked like a puppet. Oh, I forgot, she is a puppet of the EU.

      2. GD
        October 3, 2018

        Ok so it is in the Daily Telegraph comments section …. it is all decided then and no need to look any further 🙂

        “A man is known by the books he reads.”

        ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

    4. L Jones
      October 3, 2018

      It’s true, Pensioner – at this moment we need someone colourful with verve and ebullience. Trump succeeds because he IS a maverick and it wrong foots the opposition. Just the sort we need to confront those devious, drab, unelected EU people.

      1. Nigel Seymour
        October 3, 2018

        Agree – November will however give the US people a chance to reflect on their decision? Sounds a bit like the peoples vote back here at home…

    5. GD
      October 3, 2018

      An honest profile name …. Your post sums up the attitude of your generation …. “the next generation can starve so long as I have my inflation busting state pension and someone to cleanup after me in the care home” …. no wonder the younger people in this country treat their elders with such contempt !

  30. Christine
    October 3, 2018

    My worry is what Corbyn is up to and why he went running to see Michel Barnier the day after the Labour conference finished. To me it all seems to have been a Remain orchestrated plan from the day after the referendum vote with the likes of Blair pulling the strings. The fact May won’t drop her Chequers plan speaks volumes that she has something up her sleeve to get her deal through parliament. We are all being stitched up big style.

    1. GD
      October 3, 2018

      Are you by any chance the editor of the new age gospel “Daily Express” ? If not you should definitely apply because I think they would struggle to find someone more paranoid and a perfect choice for their couch potato and wetherspooner readers 🙂

  31. Bob
    October 3, 2018

    “A possible Chequers deal does not implement the wishes of the majority to leave, but looks unlikely to find favour either with the EU or with a significant number of Conservative MPs.”

    In reality, the EU has already pocketed Chequers and is playing hard to get so that Mrs May can justify upping her bid. It’s all play acting. It’s time for those MPs that actually believe in Britain to show some true grit and rid us of the cabal of treacherous prevaricators.

    1. Chris
      October 3, 2018

      I think you are right, Bob. All stage managed and “they are all in it together”.

  32. John Leave
    October 3, 2018

    Here’s how I fear this is going to play out.
    After more ‘frantic negotiations’, May will get the EU to agree to a Chequers-like deal probably with even more concessions. (Barnier is playing it cool but he must really be licking his lips at the prospect of the EU continuing to have such a huge say in UK policy). May will try to create the impression (Chamberlain-style) that she’s done a fantastic negotiating job and put it before Parliament.
    My question is, how will that vote go? We know there’s a large-ish group of Tory eurosceptics who will hate it and my feeling is that Corbyn and McDonnell (who are really Leavers) won’t be too keen either. However, I worry that enough Tories and Labour MPs who basically want to keep us in the EU will band together to get it through. It won’t honour the referendum result, but most MPs have never wanted to. What do you reckon? Am I being over-pessimistic?

    1. Stred
      October 3, 2018

      No. The Tory and Labour quislings have talked to each other and this is the plan. Blair, Major, Clegg, Ummuna, Benn, Starmer and the Legionaire d’ Honor and his clique on the ‘conservative’ side. May is depending on her coconspirators.

    2. bigneil
      October 3, 2018

      JL – anything involving TM and the EU are in the same paragraph – – it is impossible to be over pessimistic.

  33. Edwardm
    October 3, 2018

    The government could do much worse than listen to you. In fact they seem to be doing their worst.
    Why has Mrs May offered to find an Irish border solution acceptable to the EU ? Why unnecessarily give the EU so much leverage ? The EU ought to make its own arrangements on its side. As negotiators, Mrs May and her team need to retire.
    Otherwise it strongly looks like a set-up to sell us out.

  34. margaret howard
    October 3, 2018

    JR

    “We want new fishing and farming policies that boost our home industries.”
    ==

    How do you propose to renew our fishing policy when many fishermen sold their fishing rights for a quick profit to other EU nations? Take them back forcibly? Not very likely seeing that we lost the 3 cod wars against Iceland in the 1950s.

    And will the government pay farmers the sort of subsidies they receive from the EU now?

    1. Bob
      October 3, 2018

      “And will the government pay farmers the sort of subsidies they receive from the EU now?”

      You mean the CAP which has impoverished poor third world farmers by dumping subsidised surplus production on their traditional markets?

      #TradeNotAid

    2. Know-Dice
      October 3, 2018

      Margaret, reasonable questions for a change.

      You would have to look in to under what conditions those licences were issued in the first place and how they could be revoked.

      Any licence in future would need to state that it can’t be sold on and must be used by the person or company it’s issued to within a specified time frame or be automatically revoked.

      No reason why farmers should not continue getting some subsidies if it makes sense to do so.

      Next….

    3. Edward2
      October 3, 2018

      The fishing industry will revive once it is free to do so.

      The government has already said it will continue to support the agricultural industry after we leave.

      You are so terminally negative margaret.

  35. Chris
    October 3, 2018

    I do not think that the PM is stupid. I think she knows exactly what she is doing, and to date she has managed to get Chequers approved by the Cabinet and her MPs (after all they say they support her), and that is what is on the table for Brussels. There are reports that she is working with Brussels to modify/soften Chequers even more i.e. giving more concessions to the EU. That is what is on the table, and if she gets support today at the Conference, with her call to loyalty in her speech, then she will interpret that as success and the necessary approval to move forward with Chequers.

    As yet, the Tory Brexiter MPS have not made one effective dent in her policy. There have been plenty of words, but they will not stop Chequers. Only action will. I see that Mr Duddridge MP has handed in his letter to Sir Graham, as a result of Boris’s speech. Where are the others?

    Going back to my first sentence, I believe that Theresa May is working according to instructions from higher up, and they are relatively pleased with her, as at present it looks like Brexit has been betrayed and we will Leave in name only. Her handlers are in effect part of the globalist movement (aka the deep state, NWO), for whom the EU is a key part. They (the deep state) have mounted and financed enormous and vicious opposition to President Trump, but they are losing in the US. However, in the UK they apparently have a willing disciple and tool of the globalists in Theresa May. Strongly worded speeches from Boris et al are not going to stop them. Only action will, and of course utter commitment to honouring democracy and upholding the Referendum result.

    1. GD
      October 4, 2018

      Thank god , in UK we still have people who think differently from you !

  36. Anonymous
    October 3, 2018

    I’ve just had a wierd encounter in town. A Stop Brexit campaign asking people to step forward and take part in a mini poll. Put a sticker on “Brexit good or bad for the NHS” or “Brexit good or bad for the economy” etc.

    And so I did.

    As soon as I put my first sticker in favour of Brexit one of the organisers wearing a “B****cks to Brexit” T shirt said to me loudly “SO YOU THINK BREXIT IS GOOD FOR THE ECONOMY !”

    I said “I’m not going to argue with you in the street.”

    “NO. THAT’S THE PROBLEM. YOU DON’T WANT TO ARGUE !”

    I said “Well. By the profanity displayed on your T shirt I can tell which way any argument with you is going to go.”

    “THE ONLY PROFANITY ON THIS T SHIRT IS BREXIT !”

    To which I said “Yes. And your side invented that word. Not mine. I choose not to use it.”

    He then tried to press me further and I just said “enough” and I walked away without completing my poll.

    If they want an honest poll they had better not hector people like they did me in front of the passing public.

    This is not the first time I have been in this position and I’ve had instances of aggression towards me like this even before the referendum was called.

    We must not let them win.

    1. 42
      October 3, 2018

      Just at thought. Mrs May. I really wished to love her today, no really.All she needed to say “Chequers” is off.
      In the sixties we said some people had “good vibes”..some…feel about them. Today she was like a piece of cold flat rock despite the dancing (?!) . A couple of days ago, another fav of mine Mrs Leadsom seemed like a different person and the same flat coldness. The audience TOO Something has gone wrong. Somehow. Just a feeling.

  37. Helen Smith
    October 3, 2018

    May I reiterate the thanks others have given to you for your wonderful blog that helps to keep me sane in these frightening days of MPs openly revolting against the electorate.

    It is so true that people trade and companies trade, countries don’t, therefore we will trade just fine with the EU under WTO, and undercutting the EU on Corporation Tax is a win win, winning FDI and increasing the overall tax take.

    Ireland really is a non issue, if we leave under WTO surely there will be a ‘hard’ border? Therefore agree a FTA Canada+ and look to technology. If it means staying in the CU for a short time limited period to get it up and running I can live with that.

    1. Denis Cooper
      October 3, 2018

      Why should there be any changes at all at the Irish land border?

    2. cryingoutloud
      October 3, 2018

      Helen you make it all sound so easy..just whistle up a FTACanada+ and look to technology..well it’s not going to be that easy..coming from WTO will take years to negotiate..we won’t be allowed to stay in the CU either..come 29 march we are out..out in the cold..because from what I hear these talks are going nowhere..just a charade to wind everything down..the EU 27 have had enough..only a week or so to go before we see a complete breakdown of talks

  38. DUNCAN
    October 3, 2018

    Dancing Queen. I’m speechless. This is the PM of one the most powerful nations on earth and this person arrives on stage to the music of ABBA.

    Again, words fail me. Who the hell advises these politicians? No doubt, some clueless, Oxbridge fool

    We need a serious, in your face, truth-teller not some dancing, prancing fool

    1. Bob
      October 3, 2018

      The Remainiac presenters at Globalist Radio’s LBC thought she was terrific, and were blown away by her speech.

    2. fedupsoutherner
      October 3, 2018

      Duncan, can you imagine what the press would have said if it were Boris? How embarrassing Mrs May was today. I was cringing.

    3. Chris
      October 3, 2018

      Yes, Duncan. Who advises her, and why did she do it? It is quite beyond belief.

    4. L Jones
      October 3, 2018

      Duncan – I’m glad you said that. It’s truly embarrassing. Next time she’ll might point at people in the audience and mouth greetings to them, or display some such Blair-like behaviour. It’s humiliating and it degrades our country.

    5. GD
      October 3, 2018

      Finally a good joke ! …. One of the most powerful countries on earth ! …. even countries like India , Pakistan have more nukes , aircraft carriers and not to mention our army which hardly has enough numbers to fight a multi-front war to defend UK. When you reminiscence about good old days of the second world war , Falklands ( and probably still living there mentally) just compare the numbers with today and you will get an idea ! in case your memory has failed you right at this moment if UK needs an aircraft carrier she will have to go with a begging bowl to France (an EU country) for permission to use her aircraft carrier !
      In economic matters we are on climbing in the wrong direction of the chart with India recently overtaking us !

      1. Original Richard
        October 5, 2018

        GD,

        You are right!

        This is the result of 45 years of EU rule and why the country voted to leave.

  39. Tory Party on Mars
    October 3, 2018

    Mrs May’s Speech:
    ( )

    1. Sleep in Our Time
      October 3, 2018

      Those brackets should begin at the left of the box and end on the far right.

  40. MickN
    October 3, 2018

    Who the hell thought Mrs May’s entry for her conference speech was a good idea??
    Is there no dignity or decorum for people in high office any more. Cringeworthy !!

    1. Bob
      October 3, 2018

      @MickN
      Ed Balls went into showbiz when his political career ended.

    2. Alan Jutson
      October 3, 2018

      MickN

      “who the hell……”

      Blame the people who advised her !

      Yet another wrong move amongst many they have made, and she has been stupid enough to believe them.

    3. sm
      October 3, 2018

      Horrendously embarrassing, she has just handed every Left-wing comedian and cartoonist the gift that keeps on giving.

    4. GD
      October 4, 2018

      No , as sadly we are not living in the 50s anymore …. but do not lose hope …. if Brexiteers can play their cards right they may even manage to move UK backwards by a couple of hundred years 🙂

  41. Denis Cooper
    October 3, 2018

    It is not sufficiently widely appreciated that for the past six decades the Tory party has consistently put the interests of the small minority of UK businesses that export to the continent above those of all other businesses in the country.

    Companies which export to other parts of the world may rank as Second Class, while all the others are Third Class, but it is those who export to the continent who are especially favoured by the Tory party and most often get what they want.

    Thus back in May I wrote about a new Commons Library Report:

    http://johnredwoodsdiary.com/2018/05/15/technology-and-transport/#comments

    “… this stands out on page 15:

    “businesses who export to the EU tell us that it is strongly in their interest to have a single set of regulatory standards that mean they can sell into the UK and EU markets.”

    There in a nutshell is the fundamental philosophical fallacy which has underlain our mistaken involvement with the EU’s politically driven “single market” model right from the start, that because the 6% of UK businesses who export 12% of UK GDP to the EU want a single set of regulatory standards, the EU standards, that justifies the imposition of EU laws on the entire country and its economy and all its individual citizens.

    And now Theresa May and her Brexit negotiators are going beyond even that stupidity to suppose that the about 0.1% of UK GDP which is exported across the Irish land border in itself justifies complete EU compliance by the entire UK economy.”

    I might puzzle why this should be, as it is so very obviously against our overall economic interests, but when I hear Theresa May going on about European wars it’s obvious that she, like most Tory leaders right back to Macmillan, is at heart a eurofederalist; but like all of them before her she has to deny the truth – which she does not find difficult.

    1. Chris
      October 3, 2018

      Yes, she is a globalist, and they have an agenda which President Trump is threatening and destroying. However, they have a disciple in May. The goals of the globalists of the NWO/deep state are actually very alarming indeed, and the UK people need to wake up to the relentless attack on our country, sovereignty, independence and identity. It is not by chance that the globalists have chosen an apparently “benign” individual’ such as Theresa May to effect their agenda in the UK. I think she is deadly serious in what she is planning, and has absolutely no intention of bowing to the Brexiter MPs’ suggestion to “chuck Chequers”. I believe that many of those Brexiter MPs have been duped, as I am sure that they had honourable intentions of giving her the benefit of the doubt. If they do not wake up and take radical action swiftly, then vassalage awaits us.

    2. DUNCAN
      October 3, 2018

      Denis

      Superb and insightful. I did not know this. It seem we are being governed by people who despise the very nation over which they claim political authority

      Who can we trust to protect the UK and its real private sector economy?

  42. Den
    October 3, 2018

    To voted in a second EU referendum would merely open the door to a succession of EU Referendums because the people did not provide the right answer.
    For example if Remain won a second Referendum for reasons that did not satisfy the Leavers Camp. the Leavers could then insists on a third Referendum. And then….
    Besides it would serve no purpose except that the UK would have to re-apply to rejoin the EU AND NB NEW, harsher, Terms because the Withdrawal Act determines that we leave on March 29th 2019. Roll on that date and roll on the revolution.

  43. battle axe
    October 3, 2018

    Raab was brilliant on the lunchtime R4 news. The woman interviewer was barely coherent when she started the next slot.

    1. Eh?
      October 4, 2018

      Why?

      1. battle axe
        October 4, 2018

        Because he didn’t let the interviewer dominate.
        He smashed her down effectively
        and completely outspoke her.
        Most polits are on the back foot, ingratiating or frightened of media.
        Seb Gorka is similarly effective.
        Wasn’t listening to the content as such, just the technique.

  44. a-tracy
    October 3, 2018

    John, why £50,000? Has this been calculated as a Party decision? Were the leavers in the Conservative party suggesting such a high barrier because I’ve never read you or any other leave advocate in the Tory party talk of this sort of figure? Or is this just Mrs May and her team being extreme? It is being represented by the Press as the migration earnings figure, please explain what is going on.

    Reply Nothing is confirmed as yet. We are awaiting the details of the planned migration policy

  45. a-tracy
    October 3, 2018

    When I hear Vauxhall and others threatening British jobs in making cars to drive in GB I just think Corbyn will be salivating, planning to nationalise car plants to make British cars, we should never have given something so key to foreign organisations to run. What a great shame Dyson can’t get us a car alternative quickly.

  46. Chris
    October 3, 2018

    If reports are correct, Theresa May apparently told Conference that if they did not support her Plan, they were in danger of “not getting Brexit at all”. How ironic. If we support her Plan (don’t mention that it is actually called Chequers), we certainly will not get Brexit.

    Bear in mind her words were carefully chosen. She did not actually say the alternative to her Plan was a No Deal I.e. WTO option, but instead no “Brexit at all”. What fools she must take the Conference goers for, and the general public. This from the D Tel newsletter:

    “The Prime Minister sought to face down Tory Brexiteer critics like Jacob Rees-Mogg and Boris Johnson, warning that their desire for “the perfect Brexit” risked the country “ending up with no Brexit at all”. “The people we serve are not interested in debates about the theory of Brexit,” she later said….”

  47. Martin
    October 3, 2018

    Seeing Mrs may’s antics, admittedly in a rather second hand way in order to avoid putting a boot through the TV screen, I am reminded most of Kim Jong-un playing joyously to the camera amidst the wreckage of his country. In fact the similarity is growing on me. The newspapers seem to be impressed by the vacuousness however, I can’t understand why.

    1. Mitchel
      October 4, 2018

      The mass media love-indeed,promote- vacuousness.

      Solzhenitsyn saw the future back in 1978:-

      “Hastiness and superficiality are the psychic diseases of the 20th century,and more than anywhere else this disease is reflected in the press”

  48. Nigel Seymour
    October 3, 2018

    I thought Brexit meant we are leaving the EU. Did I miss something?

  49. Prigger
    October 3, 2018

    23rd-24th June 2016
    I thought “Now I can get on with what bit of life I have left without politics.Then article 50 did NOT happen. So, the leaflets, sore feet, one or two bad dogs, increasing success in acceptance…a whole year! Still moaning ex-democrats. They got nastier in lockstep with being anti-Democracy ..more and more extreme with left”fascism” it seems two steps before Darkness no-one would wish.

    Now Mrs May’s speech. No chance her obeying The Will Of The People. None.
    I, have to, buy some more hiking boots and work them in, for more and more and more, more, more door knocking. Hell!!!

    All the dogs in my area know me well though. But they’ll wish me to bring dog biscuits and something for the puppy(s).
    Bull-dogs will be in fashion again.

    1. Prigger
      October 3, 2018

      Mrs May should go soon, sooner than soon. It would be advisable the language used in my leaflets were to sprinkle rather than rain storm. Who knows.

  50. Prigger
    October 3, 2018

    My boat is drifting Left

  51. Prigger
    October 3, 2018

    JR Please get youself, rees-mogg and blondie and the rest to save the Right for all of us. Pleeeeese!!!! Get her OUT

  52. Chris
    October 3, 2018

    All going to plan. Now there is a breakthrough apparently with Brussels and Theresa’s Plan. Just a bit more give from our side and then…? Make no mistake, Theresa is steamrollering ahead with Chequers. We need you, Brexiter MPs? Where are you, and anyway, what did you expect from May/Raab et al?
    https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1026402/Brexit-news-UK-EU-Theresa-May-Dominic-Raab-Michel-Barnier-political-declaration-deal
    BREXIT BREAKTHROUGH: EU kickstarts HECTIC talks to publish UK trade partnership plans
    EUROPEAN Union bosses are preparing to publish the political declaration which will shape the UK’s future relationship with Brussels after Brexit as talks enter a hectic seven-day period.

  53. Wrong Tune
    October 3, 2018

    Rees-Mogg doesn’t wish to be PM. He shall do his duty and love it. He IS the sound. Even the look. It doesn’t matter the content of what he says. No-one in their Minde listens to the words of politicians , precisely if at all. Just the love and feel of them

  54. Wrong Tune
    October 3, 2018

    No Osborne wannas instead of want etc. He must have paid a pensioners annual income for that pearl 🙂

  55. Christine
    October 3, 2018

    I’m just hoping that the Brexit MPs stand firm when she brings back the betrayal deal to Parliament and that they don’t cave in like when John Major coerced them into agreeing the Maastricht Treaty. The people will not forgive the Conservatives this time, as we are much more politically aware about the aims of the EU. People won’t vote for Labour either as they have equally let us down. A vast swathe of the country will stop voting altogether, disillusioned with our politicians. Boris is right that we only have one opportunity to get Brexit right. Fortune favours the brave.

  56. rick hamilton
    October 4, 2018

    I am waiting eagerly for the start of the clout-casting season, hoping it will come early.

  57. Mike wilson
    October 4, 2018

    You are (almost) all deluded. We are not leaving the EU in anything but name. It is the worst outcome imaginable. We do need a second referendum. I would now vote to remain as leaving like this is worse.

    1. Original Richard
      October 5, 2018

      Don’t blame the referendum result or the leavers for our current position.

      Only remainers have so far been in charge of government and negotiations and they will be the ones held responsible by all leavers and many remainers who believe in democracy (many don’t I will admit).

      If “Brexit means Brexit” does not happen and we become a vassal state forced to accept unwanted and unfair directives, rules and regulations from the EU with no say or veto then I will be expecting a UK version of the Boston tea party moment in the future.

      BTW, I don’t believe you voted to leave or even know how the EU affects our lives. Or perhaps you’re not even British ?

      Freedom and sovereignty is more important than a few pieces of silver.

  58. Steve
    October 4, 2018

    Heated debate on here about why people voted to leave, interestingly the remainers tend to peddle the lie that those who voted leave also voted for negotiations / capitulations whatever you want to call it.

    Fact is we didn’t. We voted to leave end of. No compromises, no talks, no negotiating away our sovereignty, no grovelling to the EU.

    Now, however, we have the PM doing an apparent U-turn; by telling us that brexit will be via her Chequers paper, or no brexit at all.

    A stark contradiction to when she previously said she was prepared to have the country walk away without a deal if necessary.

    Theresa May knows the EU will not accept Chequers, therefore from what she is now saying it is clear her intention is to play the electorate as dumb fools.

    She will offer to capitulate through Chequers, or, as and when it is not accepted by the EU she will keep us in on the argument that there was no deal.

    Also I don’t buy into this dancing queen stunt, it’s cheap. Nor do I endorse her suggestion of the F word during her speech.

    We are not as dumb as she assumes, and she obviously doesn’t realise everyone knows she’s the one doing all the F – ing over…..of us !

    I think Theresa May should have walked onto the stage with ‘I predict a riot’ by the Kaiser Chiefs. It would have been an appropriate background compared to ABBA. Alternatively; Don’t fear the reaper by Blue Oyster Cult would have been a good choice as well.

    I accorded this woman some sympathy and patriotic support concerning the EU’s behaviour at Salzburg, but from what I hear now I’m afraid she has to go immediately.

    However cordial, statesman like, and patriotic she may seem to be, the fact is she has not sunk any teeth into the Jackals at the EU. This may be because she is a pacifist, or because she secretly wants to thwart what we voted for, or because she is ill advised and doesn’t know how it works with the EU.

    Whichever is the reason, the fact is these people at the EU cannot be negotiated with and we should have had a ‘leave’ PM who fully understood that, and was prepared to go there and tell ’em how it works.

    Theresa May will loose the conservatives the next election and probably dozens more after that.

  59. libertarian
    October 5, 2018

    Dear Andy, Newmania, Rien etc

    Unilever shareholders announce that the will be STAYING in London and NOT moving their HQ to Holland

    Oh another remain scare bites the dust

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