Brexit and the waning days of the United Kingdom

[mongers]

Dom Cummings is posting on his blog again, and hiring:
https://dominiccummings.com/2020/01/02/two-hands-are-a-lot-were-hiring-data-scientists-project-managers-policy-experts-assorted-weirdos/

Britain finally has a first-class wanker to rival Trump. 

He reminds me of some of the more pretentious bellends in the 6th form common room back in the day; it is rather nostalgic in a peculiar way 

Indeed, Tricky that's a much better way of putting it; and it reminds me we had a similar such character in our 6th form and he went on to do PPE at Oxford, I wonder that happened to him.

[Sheilbh]

Lisa Nandy's pitch.

Labour's path back to power will be through on-the-ground activism
Lisa Nandy

The next party leader will have to go to the places that rejected us, and win the argument. That's why I'm standing
• Lisa Nandy is Labour MP for Wigan

Fri 3 Jan 2020 21.40 GMT
Last modified on Fri 3 Jan 2020 22.27 GMT

We are out of power and on the rocks. The shattering collapse in trust among lifelong Labour voters has been a long time coming. Now is not the time to steady the ship or try not to oversteer. Unless we change course, we will become irrelevant.

This change starts with empowering people to make change themselves. We've been a decade out of power in Westminster, changing our leaders, and commissioning reports and focus groups from offices in central London just to hear what is happening in the country. If we were trying to reinforce the sense that we just don't get it, we couldn't do better than this.

Yet out there in the country, Labour is creating change – from Preston council, which has used local assets to grow the economy, to Nottingham, which set up its own energy company to help the poorest. As shadow secretary of state for energy and climate change, I brought 60 Labour councils together to defend the Paris agreement and cut the UK's carbon footprint by 10% by switching to clean energy. Quietly and unsung, we disrupted the power of the big six energy companies. It is this on-the-ground activism that will pave the way back to government.

We've been running scared of debate, dissent and constructive challenge. The anger and infighting has to end. We are leaving the EU on the hardest of terms. Laws that defend people's health and their safety at work, the environment and the minimum wage are unlikely to survive a free trade deal with Donald Trump. A century of progress is at stake. In this fight, Green MP Caroline Lucas is not our enemy. We are an internationalist party, and we should make common cause with others here and around the world. We need to stop waiting for a saviour and have the confidence to believe that change comes from ourselves. Ours is a movement that will graft and toil to deliver change together.

To do it, we have to become rooted in our communities again. The GMB union's campaigns on Amazon and Uber, Unison's resistance to the privatisation of NHS staffing or Unite's community campaign on universal credit could create the same groundswell for change that brought us the minimum wage – a beacon of hope in similarly dark times. Labour activists support credit unions and law projects in every nation and region of the UK. They need and deserve real power, resources and respect to allow us, by the strength of our common endeavour, to achieve more than we achieve alone.

In the decade I spent fighting for the rights of marginalised children before I became an MP, I learned that winning a vote in parliament is never enough. What is needed is the hard yards of winning the argument, inch by inch, in town halls, workplaces and pubs. This is where we fight to regain people's trust and win permission to deliver radical change.

The luxuries of a hung parliament are behind us. If we want a hearing we will have to go out into the country, create waves, and make it happen. The next Labour leader will have to be up for a scrap – willing to run to the places where we are loathed, take the anger on the chin, and make and win the argument.

The belief that this country can be better drives me forward. Bring back universal child benefit, end the benefit cap and build a system that gives people dignity, not just an allowance with conditions set by decision-makers in Whitehall. Reclaim our public services so they are run by empowered frontline professionals, not distant experts. Bring investment to places that have lacked so much for so long to deliver good jobs, not charity. Find the courage to tackle the social care crisis – no longer can we abandon people to die in poverty after a lifetime of work.

We could run the economy as if the future matters. More than 1,000 fossil-fuelled power stations are being built across the world, many with the support of UK banks. Their backing equals the whole coal-power capacity of the EU and Australia put together. This will raise flood risks in Britain, threatening everything from our pensions to our planet. It is just one symbol of an economy that puts profit before people – with appalling long-term consequences.

By the next election we will be trying to win voters who were toddlers when there was last a Labour government. More than stories about how Margaret Thatcher ruined the NHS, they will need evidence of the real change that comes from our grassroots. Born in 1979, I was 17 before I saw a Labour government, and at times it felt that change would never come. I went into politics to change the world, and that flame has never dimmed. Our biggest asset is the people in every community and workplace I have ever been – MPs, councillors, activists, trade unionists and charities who give their all because they see a spark that, if ignited, might just change the world.

Amid the shellshock, anger, hurt and frustration, there is hope. This defeat was shattering, and I never want us to be here again. But rebuilding cannot wait. I am standing to be the leader of the Labour party to defeat Boris Johnson and lead a compassionate, radical, dynamic government that I firmly believe most people want and deserve. That leadership will place at its heart an end to the wholesale patronising of working people as a homogeneous group, to be saved or condemned. We can change Britain, but it doesn't start in five years' time. It starts now.

• Lisa Nandy is the Labour MP for Wigan

There's quite a lot to like in this, I think.

[Admiral Yi]

Corbyn without the Hamas and Maduro hugging.

[Sheilbh]

The opposite.

The Corbyn without Hamas candidates are either saying "it was because of Brexit and we were too pro-Remain" (Lavery). Or some variation on we just need one more push to socialism/the electorate have let us down: "the result was bad but we mustn't oversteer" (Starmer), "the answer is not to have some great ideological battle" (Thornberry) or "our policies were principled and popular" (RLB). Or Corbyn didn't go far enough in "democratising" the party (Lewis)

The anti-Corbyn camp is more about a need to change course/discuss why Labour lost: "unless we change, we will become irrelevant" (Nandy) or "only when we are honest again, with ourselves and with the country, will we become the people who get to make the decisions" (Phllips).

Edit: Also kind of interesting how they're positioning themselves in terms of how they're sort of launching their pitches. Lavery is heavily hinting, plus social media. Starmer, Thornberry, Lewis and RLB have all done pieces in the Guardian but otherwise quite low-key. Nandy (founder of the Centre for Towns) launched with a letter to her local paper, the Wigan Post. Phillips with an online video plus social media.

Edit: Alos lots of rumours about the National Executive Committee. Basically they haven't met yet to set out the rules of the leadership and apparently there's a little bit of concern that the "official" continuity Corbyn candidate (RLB) isn't doing well. So they're meeting this week but so far there's no agenda and no proposals. The non-Corbynite members are expecting that, at very short notice, they'll get lots of proposals designed to favour RLB. Which is classic hard left tactics of fighting with the rulebook.

[mongers]

Shelf have you considered we might need a separate Labour party leadership/ party collapse / renovation thread? 

Because in terms of Brexit, Labour* votes in the commons are an irrelevancy, unless Johnson's Tories spectacularly implode.


* And all the other parties, saving the SNP.

[Sheilbh]

Shelf have you considered we might need a separate Labour party leadership/ party collapse / renovation thread? 

Because in terms of Brexit, Labour* votes in the commons are an irrelevancy, unless Johnson's Tories spectacularly implode.


* And all the other parties, saving the SNP.

Maybe - is it worth having more UK politics threads? In terms of Brexit - you're right it's whatever Johnson is willing to agree.

Keir Starmer's campaign video is pitch perfect for this race and this feels like his race to lose unless he fucks up at the debates:
https://twitter.com/Keir_Starmer/status/1213536222783688704?s=20

But I do think his record as DPP is going to come out at some point and cause him lots of trouble.

[mongers]

Don't get me wrong, it's an interesting subject, but I fear Brexit will rumble on an on and on, crushing interest in the labour party. 

edit:
And I guess the other major story this year will be the politics building up to a 2nd Scotish independence referundum or UDI, that constitutional crisis might well overshadow all other domestic considerations.

Though it probably belongs here too, as it's largely a repercussion of Brexit votes.

Also on 2nd thoughts maybe the Labour party discussion is right to be here, as it Brexit was in large part the undoing of Corbynism.

[Sheilbh]

Interesting post on the Cummings' job advert by the co-founder of the Government Digital Service which has been a successful bit of civil service reform (and won lots of awards for delivery):
http://www.oneill.io/2020/01/03/slight-return/

[Josquius]

GDS isn't what it once was alas. Its been heavily cut in recent years, a lot relying on contractors. Will read the article later.

[Tamas]

Nobody will be worrying about Brexit for a while now, as a guy who was born into a job and was never given any choice about it decided he wanted a choice, and there's a national outrage

[Maladict]

Nobody will be worrying about Brexit for a while now, as a guy who was born into a job and was never given any choice about it decided he wanted a choice, and there's a national outrage

You see, this is why it pays to have a monarchy. You don't need to start a war to deflect attention from a constitutional crisis.

[Josquius]

Wouldn't it be funny if we turned Republic as everyone just decides they want a new job?
The headline you won't see the media make: even Harry wants out of brexit Britain.

[Sheilbh]

Not directly Brexity. But I've been fascinated by the RIC commemoration row in Ireland. It's particularly interesting because Ireland has civil war influenced politics (Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are directly related to the sides of the civil war which is what defines them more than ideological differences). Despite that the "century of commemmorations" has been fairly controversy free. Until now :
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/ric-controversy-has-set-back-bid-for-united-ireland-says-varadkar-1.4134165

RIC controversy has set back bid for united Ireland, says Varadkar
Unionist politicians deplore decision by Minister for Justice to call off planned RIC commemoration
Wed, Jan 8, 2020, 18:05 Updated: Wed, Jan 8, 2020, 20:17
Kevin O'Sullivan, Gerry Moriarty, Mark Paul, Harry McGee

The prospect of a united Ireland had been pushed back and reconciliation undermined by the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) commemoration controversy, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said.

Mr Varadkar accused "some elements of the Opposition" of false claims and misrepresentation – notably that the event would be "a celebration of the Black and Tans".

He said Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan had made the right decision on Tuesday to defer the event, a decision made with his imprimatur.

However, in a further twist on Wednesday, a Minister said the list of centenary commemorations for 2020 that came to Cabinet for approval before Christmas did not include the RIC event.

Chief whip Sean Kyne told Nuacht TG4 that a list was read out of proposed events, including occasions to mark the burning of Cork, the murder of Cork's lord mayor Tomás MacCurtain, the sacking of Balbriggan and the execution of Kevin Barry.

"This [RIC] commemoration was not on the list that came before Government before Christmas so it wasn't on the list of what we discussed," Mr Kyne said.

The Department of Justice said it was the Minister rather than the Government who had taken the lead in organising it because the two organisations in question were police services.

Mr Varadkar accepted lessons could be learned from the controversy, and "perhaps things could have been handled differently".

He said it had become an issue of unnecessary controversy, and he hoped the commemoration could be held at a later date after consultation with the Opposition and others.

Speaking at the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition in Dublin, the Taoiseach said he "firmly believes in a united Ireland", and that it could be achieved in his lifetime.

A united Ireland, however, was about a different state and "must be one that recognises our shared history", and the fact that there were one million people on the island who identify as British and as being from a unionist background.

The controversy was a setback for unity and reconciliation, he added.

Unionist reaction

Unionist politicians have deplored the decision by Mr Flanagan to call off the planned commemoration for the RIC.

The DUP, Ulster Unionist Party and the Traditional Unionist voice said the decision and the reaction to the proposal raised questions about how unionists would be treated in a united Ireland.

"Those leading the vehement opposition to this event are the same people who tell those of us in Northern Ireland that British identity would be respected and accommodated within some mythical 'new Ireland'," said Jeffrey Donaldson.

"When agreement cannot be found to commemorate those who died 100 years ago it is a clear demonstration of how far we still have to travel in terms of respect and reconciliation, particularly in relation to the British identity in Northern Ireland by republicans."

Mr Donaldson said that those who served in the RIC and the Dublin Metropolitan Police "were Irish men and women from all religious backgrounds who lived and worked in an Ireland that was politically united".

"Many of them suffered or were murdered for no reason other than the fact they wore a crown on their uniform, and it is difficult to escape the conclusion that opposition to this commemoration is based again on that."

Ulster Unionist Party leader Steve Aiken said the decision was "disappointing, but not surprising given the tone of the debate and the language used by some of the leaders and elected representatives of political parties in the Republic of Ireland".

"It exposed a direct and underlying contradiction to their previous public statements about reconciliation," he said.

"The comments coming from Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin representatives were deeply regrettable, and will further affirm the view among many unionists in Northern Ireland that there are many within the Republic of Ireland who continue to hold a deep animosity against anyone or any organisation linked to 'the Brits'."

Hostile

Mr Aiken said that describing members of the RIC as "colonialists" and "oppressors" when the "vast majority of these men came from the island of Ireland, and served their communities with dedication, is an insult to their memory and their descendants".

"These types of comments do nothing to build reconciliation, and demonstrate that some elements of society with the Republic of Ireland remain openly hostile to the British identity or those perceived to be associated with it.

"This hostility will not be lost on unionists who are the subject of repeated entreaties to consider embracing Irish unity and who are constantly assured that all would be well. Actions really do speak louder than words," said Mr Aiken.

TUV leader Jim Allister said the "climbdown" by the Government was a "telling signal to unionists as to how they and their history would be treated in an all-Ireland".

"If a predominantly Roman Catholic state police force from the South is so vilified by republican agitators, in a supposedly enlightened and modern state, that its government toadies to such bigotry, we can all imagine how unionist culture and traditions would fare in such a republican utopia."

Minister for Business Heather Humphreys, who is a TD in the Border region for Cavan-Monaghan, said she agreed with the postponement of the event but she stressed it should go ahead at a future date.

"There was a lot of misinformation about this particular commemoration. It was certainly never about commemorating anything to do with the Black and Tans. It was about remembering the Irish men that lost their lives while working for the RIC, and it's important that we remember all Irish lives that were lost," she told reporters at an IDA Ireland event in Dublin.

"I do look forward to it taking place. A number of people have contacted me because their family members have served in the RIC and they did make sacrifices, and I do believe that they deserve to be remembered."

Ms Humphreys said she did not mind when the commemoration took place "as long as it takes place".

So today at first and second place on the charts in Ireland is the Wolfe Tones' Come Out Ye Black and Tans. It's also number 1 in the UK (and a cracking song).

[Maladict]

Wouldn't it be funny if we turned Republic as everyone just decides they want a new job?
The headline you won't see the media make: even Harry wants out of brexit Britain.

I looked up the succession line, no chance of the crown returning to a continental heir. That would have been amusing.
Also, Roman Catholics are removed from the succession line, but apparently just Roman Catholics and not all non-Protestants?

[celedhring]

So, this Megxit business has had the undesirable side effect of bringing Piers Morgan to the attention of Spanish media.