It appears discontent is emerging steadily - fishermen’s organization is now openly opposed, and the government’s comments that financial services will be secured in additional side-deals has not really satisfied anyone, because it simply begs the question. Scotland now has a further axe to grind, as it would appear their fishing industry actually loses quota from the deal, putting the non-SNP MPs in a very difficult position.
It seems inevitable that the deal will be accepted by some variation of party support and that would fit with the saying that - given the choice, people will normally choose the certainty of misery over the misery of uncertainty.
The more we read about this ‘deal’, it seems that it will only deliver the miserable certainty of uncertain misery.
Does it actually matter? Doesn’t the Tories have a comfortable majority?
No, some will be from the remain supporting elements such as Andrew Adonis, who are worried that accepting the deal as is will mean that Labour will also be tainted with any failings of the deal itself.
Politically it matters a lot.
I kind of get where Starmer is coming from. Abstention just smacks of indecisiveness when the choice really is binary. It’s this or no deal. Don’t let the Conservatives take the credit for avoiding No Deal, be part of that election. But criticise its scope, be involved, active, ready to try and shape what will grow out of this (barebones) deal, which is merely a starting point after all and isn’t comprehensive as we’ve already discussed.
Being inert, passive, deliberately grumbling from the sidelines like a bunch of wet idiots isn’t grown up. That’s the kind of approach that sees a party perpetually in opposition. No wonder it’s the approach being advocated mostly by those on the left of the Labour Party.
I understand that they are worried that when the shit hits the fan, they don’t want the conservatives saying ‘well you voted for it’, which they will. But I don’t see that as being a particularly difficult point to negate.
It would be infinitely worse politically for labour to block the bill; its probably just dissent for the record, knowing they have to approve it, as the lessor of two evils.
The entire four-year shitshow was worth it for this…
The pics in this article are amazing.
Top notch, this.
In what way? Starmer/Labor doesn’t want to antagonize the Leave voters?
Is this the best possible deal! If not, then the Tories/government have failed to get a better deal and the abstention can be projected as no confidence.
Isn’t the whole Brexit saga (referendum onwards) full of misinformation campaign! If so, would it be difficult to sell that Labor supported a deal that wasn’t good enough for UK!
Yes, of the two options on the table this is easily the best one. It’s that straightforward.
I’m not so sure, May’s deal imo was a starting point this seems to be much more ‘set in stone’ than that. It doesn’t leave the leeway to greater trust and friendship which would be necessary for a ‘starting point’. Of course i could be wrong however I do feel a lot of effort will be necessary to get talks going in a positive direct.
I personally wouldn’t rate this deal as easily better. Marginally better than a disaster I’d say.
All would depend how it’s politically played. Starmer has blocked any manoeuver he had. It now all falls on him. I think he made rumblings far too soon and appears very naive over this.
An ongoing goods trade is critical. This deal will be an economic shock, no deal would be a rolling disaster.
I do wonder about the level of preparedness for border clearances though, even at zero tariffs.
Yeah but surely its so obvious to the electorate that any deal is now better than no deal. Going against that would see them eternally fckd. The Curmudgeon party launch imminent !!
Starmer could have played this very differently. What he has done seems politically illiterate above all the lack of debate smells bad.
All I’m pointing to is yes the Tories have a massive majority and he had a lot of political leeway yet he comes out with any deal is better than no deal. This might be true but it’s not very astute (particularly considering his own party). He could have played it out a lot more.
I note at least one of trade union organizations is calling for Labour to inject, albeit with absolutely no reasoning beyond ‘we don’t like it’.
Agreed but UK business is simply not ready or even knows what paperwork is required to export to the EU. For agri products they have to prove origin and content etc. Vet certificates maybe required for animal products.
Tariff free was really important but they’ve still created a messy legacy which will not go away anytime soon.
As far as I know border infrastructure and even staff levels are not where they need to be either.
Sad thing is people were warned this would happen.