The disgraced Dr Fox will be disgraced again unless he relies on truth more than spin before too long. The UK agreed to the terms that the talks would take, now wants to change them when it does not suit them. Just how stupid is that?
I can fully understand why the talks are in difficulty, nobody would agree to paying the huge ransom or even a much smaller amount until it has been justified. Just because there are 27 members on the other side it should not mean they can exercise bullying tactics at their will.
Next time Watford are having a bad 20 minutes against Chelsea, you would wish to stop the game and change the rules to give Watford a better chance? It is not a ransom, it is what is owed. It can be discussed as in any divorce, but if you want to move on you must get this sorted. You agreed to do that, but now see first paragraph.
Unlike other European countries UK politics is very much centred in the middle ground. The Labour Party obviously has a much more serious split between the MPs and the PLP / leadership. The Conservatives were clearly the most popular party at the GE and crushed all before in the recent local elections. The Tories have a fine tradition of pulling together when needed. There will probably not be another election for five years even if the PM position changes. The Tories will not make the same mistakes again on old age care and pensioner benefits, Corbyn's policies will be exposed as uncounted and unaffordable. The only likely danger for the Tories and the country is if the Brexit deal is ultimately seen as poor by the electorate.
If Chelsea were cheating by writing their own rules and fielding 13 players it would be advisable to call 'foul'. The ransom is being discussed, the UK negotiators are asking the EU to justify their ridiculous demands.
Interesting report: More than 60% says economic damage is a price worth paying for Brexit YouGov: Most Brexiters say economic damage 'price worth paying'
No, the best thing to do with bullies is to take them on. I get a very strong indication you would prefer the UK to end up with a bad deal so you can whinge afterwards.
You have just made my point for me SH. The Euro elections are organized along the lines of PR. which is why the smaller parties do better in those - and also, obviously, channel their resources more into those elections. The English Green Party also has more representation in Brussels than in Westminster. The point is with the general election rules - people only vote for parties which can actually win the constituency where they actually live. This leads to tactical voting, which is absent from a PR. based system.
Not actually true. In the case of UKIP most people voting for them did not expect to pick up many seats. The huge numbers that did vote for them in previous elections lead to a massive change in the UK's history. It is now perfectly obvious that Cameron would not have called a referendum on EU membership without the huge pressure of UKIP's support. Anyway the Uk's political system is unlikely to change for a very long time apart from maybe some boundary correction changes which will suit the Tories.
Just before the general election I was seeing calls for tactical voting, vote swapping schemes, all sorts of things to stop the Tories increasing their majority. I can only say that it worked well. Reducing their majority to a minus was beyond the dreams of those involved.
SH. the Tories need a majority to introduce further boundary changes which they don't have - they need the support of the Ulster Unionists for this.
The government needs something back for the financial assistance for NI (bribe). I'm quite happy to proceed with it.
The Labour Party lost for the third time in a row. The Lib Dems anti brexit stance failed and lost vote share while the Tories had their highest vote share in decades. The Brits love a gallant loser.
The trouble is SH. You separate politics (and also, I believe, life itself) into winners and losers. The country needs everyone. I would not be so arrogant as to say that any one party has a monopoly on the possession of people of ability, and, particularly at this moment in time, we need to utilize all the abilities we have as a nation. The problem in political terms is this - you have cast 60% of the voters of the UK. in the category of 'loser'.
OFH, I have several European holidays booked between the end of Sept and Xmas. Can you please ask the French air traffic control staff not to join in the massive protests and strikes planned against Macron's reforms.
Quite rightly the government will not be sharing power with other political parties. That does not mean cooperation cannot exist although most political opponents just oppose the government for the sake of it. I would not mind the excellent Frank Field and Kate Hoey helping out. In politics, and certainly in business, there are winners and losers, most political careers end in a disappointing way.
Quite a lot of hassle to Minorca, Tenerife and for the first time, Madeira. I think I'm now old enough to go to Madeira.!!!
That's no excuse....you can use train and ship. A good bit of bracing sea air is good in advanced years.
