A Week in Parliament

Brexit Policies

As I write, Boris has made an offer to the EU. There is a suspicion that he isn’t really looking for a deal and the offer to the EU would suggest that. It is full of contradictions but what I find strangest is that it creates a border in the Irish Sea. This means that goods going from Great Britain to Northern Ireland will need checks that don’t happen just now. Such a proposal was why half of Johnson’s current cabinet previously quit Teresa May’s Government and refused to back her “deal”. At least the DUP are openly shameless in just taking more money.

We don’t have long to tell if Johnson’s offer is another bluff or actually something that progress can be made on. On the unlikely event that the EU sign up to this, then all it will do is buy a little time before collapsing at the next stage.

Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats, who tell us if they get a majority (yes really!) Government with Jo Swinson as Prime Minister they will cancel Brexit by revoking Article 50. Except at the same time, they have an MP, Norman Lamb who is part of a group called “MPs for a Deal”! Yet, while they need a general election to fulfil their aspirations, they are refusing to back a no confidence motion and to try and get an alternative Government. They say they will not support Jeremey Corbyn as a very temporary measure with Jamie Stone MP stating “It is No Deal before Jeremy Corbyn anytime”. While I do not think Corbyn fit to be Prime Minister he still has to be given a chance to form a temporary administration given his position as Leader of the Opposition. They are also arguing that before a general election there has to be a referendum. Yet, this would be a General Election they will go into with a promise to cancel Brexit even if it was voted for a second time. So despite their stated desire to cancel or stop Brexit their actions suggest otherwise. They also try to forget that they were the part that originally argued for an EU referendum!

Labour meanwhile definitely want to negotiate a different Brexit deal, will remain neutral in General Election and then decide how to campaign in another EU referendum, possibly campaigning against their own deal. With such mixed positions from the other opposition parties it allows the Tory slogan of “Get Brexit Done” to gather momentum. Given Johnson has confirmed he won’t ask for the extension required by law, then this is why the SNP are arguing a vote of no confidence is needed rather than putting delaying blocking tactics in place.

And Finally…

At the Tory party conference, Scottish Tory MP Andrew Bowie bemoaned that with devolution the UK Government “gave away” Edinburgh Castle to Scotland. What chance of Scotland being respected by a Tory Government at Westminster when this is the attitude of a Scottish Tory MP?