Brexit and the waning days of the United Kingdom

[Sheilbh]

Reports tonight that the government's going to accept an amendment that would open the BNO visa scheme to all children of BNO holders born after 1997 (so basically the people in Hong Kong who couldn't get a BNO because they're born after handover but would, otherwise, have been eligible) - which would be very good news and a very good decision.

I'm not sure that it's related to the sanctions fuck up but a lot of the people being very vocally angry about that have also been very vocal in support of this amendment so I slightly wonder if this is, in part, in response.

Still just reports at this stage, but it would be a very good decision to offer a really easy route out of Hong Kong and into the UK for young Hong Kongers who are at most risk/most likely to have been "rioters".

Edit: Incidentally on the leadership - Sunak did a meeting with the Tory Lords (lots of party elders - former leaders, former cabinet ministers etc) that reportedly went very well and was far warmer than their recent big meeting with Johnson. He's also got a big lecture tomorrow which is a bit of a customary thing for Chancellors but it'll be interesting to see if he strays beyond the strictly economic to make a leadership pitch. The biggest risk for Johnson (at least until the May elections or a police fine) is the parliamentary party starting to coalesce around one candidate.

[Sheilbh]

Too parochial for the real, more important thread. But Corbyn's addressing an emergency rally at the weekend: "No war in Ukraine - No to NATO!"

He should never have been anywhere near a leadership role of a major party.

[Tamas]

Too parochial for the real, more important thread. But Corbyn's addressing an emergency rally at the weekend: "No war in Ukraine - No to NATO!"

He should never have been anywhere near a leadership role of a major party.

[Richard Hakluyt]

Too parochial for the real, more important thread. But Corbyn's addressing an emergency rally at the weekend: "No war in Ukraine - No to NATO!"

He should never have been anywhere near a leadership role of a major party.

I went into an incredible sulk when the tories got elected but cannot blame anyone for not voting for Corbyn & crew 

[Sheilbh]

I went into an incredible sulk when the tories got elected but cannot blame anyone for not voting for Corbyn & crew 

Yeah I think the 2019 election was probably the worst set of choice presented to an electorate in any established democracy ever

I think this issue was actually key to Corbyn doing so badly in 2019 - all through 2015-7 I remember arguing with friends on the left that he was morally indefensible on foreign policy and national security, not just bad politically. But that he was, at best, careless about who he associated with and worst an active apologist for some domestic terrorists but also some of the worst regimes and war crimes in recent history (especially in Syria). I was amazed that it wasn't really an issue people cared about in 2017 and through 2018 he was polling ahead of May, I think because people decided to give him the benefit of the doubt and decided that stuff was just a clearly hostile press being hostile. I think that all changed with the Skripals because his response of "we should send a sample to Russia and ask them to confirm if they secretly tried to poison people in Britain with Novichok" was so clearly absurd, I think it confirmed that what people like me (and the right wing media) had been saying about Corbyn's foreign/security policy views were true and not smears. We're seeing that again now. His poll numbers never recovered after the Salisbury attack.

[Sheilbh]

Separately - from Hong Kong Watch - it looks like it is very good news on extending visas for young Hong Kongers which is the right thing to do at last:

UK Government commits to expanding BNO scheme for those born after 1997

Today, the UK Government has announced its intention to expand the BNO Visa Scheme in October 2022 for those Hong Kongers born on or after 1997 who have one BNO parent. This will allow young Hong Kongers to directly register for the scheme.

This is in line with the provisions in Damian Green MP's amendment to the Nationality and Borders Bill, which was re-introduced by Hong Kong Watch patrons Lord Alton and Lord Patten, as well as Lord Falconer and the Bishop of St Albans in the House of Lords.

In a written ministerial statement, the Immigration Minister, Kevin Foster MP,  outlining to address the current gap in the BNO Visa Scheme, said:

"It is right and important to address this so the Government has made the decision to enable individuals aged 18 or over who were born on or after 1 July 1997 and who have at least one BN(O) parent to apply to the route independently of their BN(O) parent."

The statement announced that the Government will be introducing these changes in October. The full written statement can be found here: Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament

Hong Kong Watch's Chief Executive Officer, Benedict Rogers, said:

"We are delighted that the Government has taken the bold and moral step to expand the BNO Visa for those brave young Hong Kongers who are not currently covered by the scheme.

Hong Kong Watch has made this  call for nearly two years and are pleased that Ministers have now taken this important step to plug the gap in the policy.

We greatly appreciated the parliamentary and civil society alliance that has stood with the people of Hong Kong to ensure the Government lived up to its historic, legal, and moral obligations to help those most in need of a lifeline out of the city."

Edit: Incidentally I think Starmer's statement was very strong (and better than Johnson's) - again the importance of Corbyn no longer leading Labour.

[Duque de Bragança]

Tonto in Spanish means dumb or silly. Maybe also in Portuguese?

Portuguese too. Though in the context it didn't occur to me. Thought lone ranger first.

Yes, but more like fool, so with a connotation of crazyness.

[Sheilbh]

More needed I think - but this looks like a far more promising list of sanctions than the damp squib on Monday. Already said there's more to come on enablers/economic crimes there was talk on strengthening unexplained wealth orders (almost never used because the first four attempts were all struck down by the courts - oligarchs have good lawyers) plus a new "kleptocracy unit" within the National Crime Agency - they need proper funding though because these are expensive, difficult investigations:

Full list of planned sanctions

1. An asset freeze all major Russian banks, including VTB, the country's second-largest bank, with assets of £154bn.

2. Legislation will be introduced to parliament on Tuesday, which will prohibit the ability of all major Russian companies to raise finance on UK markets, and for the Russian state raise sovereign debt on UK markets. The aim is to pass the legislation in one day.

3. A set of individual sanctions totalling over 100 individuals, entities and subsidiaries, when also counting the measures unveiled on Tuesday. The new targets include the Russian state-owned defence giant Rostec, its subsidiaries, and a group of oligarchs seen as particularly close to the Kremlin. These are:

Kirill Shamalov: Russia's youngest billionaire, and Vladimir Putin's former son-in-law.

Petr Fradkov: head of Promsvyazbank, one of the banks sanctioned, and the son of the former head of Russia's FSB intelligence service.

Denis Bortnikov: chairman of VTB bank.

Yury Slyusar: head of Russia's United Aircraft Corporation.

Elena Georgieva: board chair of Novikombank.

More people will be named in the weeks to come. The individuals will be banned from all UK transactions – meaning those with children in UK private schools will be unable to pay future fees. Relatives will not, however, be sanctions personally.

4. Immediately ban the ability of Russian airline Aeroflot to land in the UK.

5. Immediately, a suspension of all dual-use export licences to Russia. This covers items which could have a civilian or military use, such as electrical components and truck parts.

6. In the coming days, legislation to prohibit a wide range of hi tech exports, and the export of equipment connected to extracting oil and gas. This is being done in alliance with the US.

7. Looking into a way to limit the amount of deposits Russian nationals can hold in UK bank accounts. The details have to be decided, and also whether this will cover dual nationals.

8. A plan to work with allies to shut off Russia's access to the Swift international bank system. This would have a major impact but can only be done effectively if other countries agree.

9. Extending the full range of sanctions to Belarus, given the integration of military between the nations.

10. The UK's economic crime bill, which will strengthen areas such as unexplained wealth orders, will be brought forward. On Wednesday Boris Johnson had told MPs the bill would not be brought to the Commons this parliamentary session.

According to Guardian correspondent UK pushing for SWIFT exclusion and going public on this:

Jessica Elgot
@jessicaelgot
Understand Johnson used much of his words at G7 to urge leaders to ban Russia from SWIFT payments system. Canada the sole supportive voice. Privately No10 not optimistic but believe minds could change once leaders see extent of possible atrocities.
There is additional pressure now the UK has gone public with this request - and the demand has come from Ukrainian government - but it does not seem that agreement will be imminent.

In other news the 11 Labour MPs who've signed the latest Stop the War statement (surprise - still NATO's fault) have been written to by the chief whip and told to withdraw from that letter. The implication is if they don't they'll have the whip withdrawn and be kicked out of the parliamentary Labour Party - good

Edit: Changed the sanction list because the Guardian did a different/better list.

Edit: Apparently 10 of the Labour MPs have already withdrawn their signatures and the last hold-out (Diane Abbott) is going to shortly

Edit: So they all withdrew their names within an hour

Jessica Elgot
@jessicaelgot
Labour spox:"Labour MPs that signed STWUK statement have all now withdrawn their names.Labour is under new management. Starmer's leadership there will never be any confusion about whose side Labour is on-Britain, NATO, freedom & democracy and every Labour MP now understands that"

[Jacob]

That's nice and effective by Starmer.

[The Brain]

Edit: So they all withdrew their names within an hour

I'm shocked that they have no spine or pride.

[Sheilbh]

Incidentally the latest Stop the War statement condemns the "movement of Russian forces into Ukraine" - I feel the common term for a movement of one country's armed forces into another is an "invasion"

[Admiral Yi]

Incidentally the latest Stop the War statement condemns the "movement of Russian forces into Ukraine" - I feel the common term for a movement of one country's armed forces into another is an "invasion"

At least they're trying.   

[Sheilbh]

At least they're trying.   

I might surprise you but literally one paragraph down

The conflict is the product of thirty years of failed policies, including the expansion of NATO and US hegemony at the expense of other countries as well as major wars of aggression by the USA, Britain and other NATO powers which have undermined international law and the United Nations.

[Admiral Yi]

I said trying, not succeeding.

[Jacob]

I said trying, not succeeding.

I agree they're trying.