Brexit4

@dj

Goldsmith was hugely popular as an individual, which was how he increased his majority in 2015 - as well as the LDs' huge unpopularity BUT it was a LD seat from 1997 - 2010.

Richmond Park voted 75% to remain in the EU, while Goldsmith voted to leave. I can't imagine they were impressed with the Conservatives' antics in the London Mayor elections.

If Goldsmith does stand as an Independent, he could split the Conservative vote.

I wouldn't assume a by-election will be a Conservative win. I suspect the LDs will throw everything at it.

niggly I know I don't have to tell you, but I will. The reason I have stopped posting on the politicle threads has nothing to do with you

I wonder when speculation counts as fact.

whitewave 12.16

Speculation and more Project Fear...innit?

Interesting. He's going to stand down, but stand as an independent on a No Heathrow third runway ticket.
That should split the Tory vote nicely.
Apparently the Libdems only lost the seat to him in 2010.

He had a majority of 23000+, an increase of 19000 over the 2010 election. That's some majority to haul back.
But I hope you are right.

I really think the Lib Dems will certainly influence the elections in Richmond hugely. Win is another thing- but you never know. Residents feel so betrayed by the Tories (their own).

Did anyone else sign the petition about PR?

petition.parliament.uk/petitions/168657?reveal_response=yes

The government says that FPTP is a robust method of electing MPs. Got them the result they wanted for Brexit, didn't it?

So, will Boris be true to his word this time???

Please give me the date so I can book my flight- I really want to be there.

I put that about Boris on the Theresa May thread, along with this about the £16 billion black hole in government finances.

www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/government-spending-budget-black-hole-16bn-treasury-leaked-document-john-mcdonnell-labour-a7378891.html

I blame Theresa May for it all.

Zac Goldsmith has said he is going to resign and force a by election. It'll be a Tory again, of course.

Octobers financial figures. Reported in Guardian

Inflation jumped more sharply than expected.

Britains trade deficit with the rest of the world widened

Retail sales flat.,

Warning signs that consumers should prepare for a renewed squeeze in living standards, as weak pound drives inflation higher and cautious businesses rein in growth.
Profits are expected to see a drop as pressure builds in some parts of the economy.
David Blanchflower a former member of the Bank of Engaland said that Britain is heading towards a Brexit Tsunami.. hi.e. High prices, slow growth and rising unemployment.
Inflation is expected to rise sharply leading to a slow down in growth as a result of less spare money per household.
Public finances have worsened. The government has had to borrow 2bn more than expected in September.

But it is all worth it folks to take back control!! And of course we must not forget those pesky immigrants.

Stolen from a friend : I wonder if he has written 2 speeches, one in case Heathrow is chosen, and one in case Gatwick is?

Maybe he's been inspired by Ken's revenge in a 'Fish called Wanda'.

I wonder who might like to play Ken's part.

Now BoJo has said he would lie (!?!) in front of the bulldozers if Heathrow is chosen ...

I've always wanted to drive a bulldozer, please, pretty please ...

There are approximately two million 16 - 18 year olds in the UK, who will be adults two years after Article 50 is invoked. How about asking them what they think? (Just as an aside, of course.)

People don't post here much any more?
Over 550 posts in ten days? Not bad going, really.

theconversation.com/theresa-may-has-a-very-special-technique-for-avoiding-questions-67424

If our representatives are allowed to get annoyed with Theresa May for not answering questions, I think we lesser mortals could be forgiven for still wanting answers from Brexiters.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery (allegedly).

daphnedill Sat 22-Oct-16 18:10:18
Oh for goodness' sake!

Why the impatience (FGS...pathetic), niggly? It's no wonder people don't post here much any more.

I thought I had a feeling of déjà vu, are you picking up these sayings from another thread nigglynellie?

It is such a HUGE thing leaving the EU - not something relatively easily done and if it doesn't work out can be rectified in five years like we can do with a GE.
A number of respectable institutions have done further research and asked questions and have concluded that the majority of the population did neither want or vote for what we are now facing. A large number of people were unable to vote for various reasons - students registered in their Uni towns and not realising the date of the vote meant they would be elsewhere - people denied a vote (workers and tax payers) although they would be some of the most affected - and Brits living in the EU who will be hugely impacted by leaving the EU. Not at all democratic - that is why people still continue to complain.
Some of the poorest will be hardest hit by the inflation which is just starting. Fuel prices have risen by about 10p a litre in the least month -this will filter through to all sorts of price rises without any further inflation.
3.8% was hardly a convincing majority either- just a bit of luck from a badly set up vote - as someone said - a Union could not have called a strike with those numbers!

The referendum meant putting a cross in a box to answer ONE question. What nobody knew and still don't know is what form leaving the EU will take. Much was made of the money which will allegedly be saved, but there were no guarantees how it will be spent (if, indeed, there is any spare cash). Everybody has their own ideas, but nobody really knows. The UK is 'reclaiming' its laws, which will mean the government could abolish EU protections in many spheres. Nobody knows what will happen about issues such as Open Skies or financial passporting or the right of UK ex-pats living in EU countries.

These issues matter. At the moment everything is up in the air and many people don't have confidence that the government even knows which direction it's travelling, never mind has any proposals. Even if it does, it would appear it doesn't even want to consult parliament, never mind the plebs who voted in the referendum. Surely most people can see that 'taking back control' were hollow words.

It might have been a minority of those ABLE to vote, but the fact remains that they were the majority of those who DID vote. Harping on about what might have been is so unproductive - just what do you hope to achieve?

PQE, niggly. Quite simple.
We are rich as a country. No problem funding it.
We need to share the money out more and collect all taxes.
Nothing made so far of the fact that Cameron had another stash of money in a Cayman Island fund that wasn't mentioned in the tax scandal. What's happening about that?
PQE used to build infrastructure, housing, better transport particularly in the North.

I said about the minority because it was a minority of those able to vote who voted for Brexit.
Something as important as this should have had similar voting rules to those that unions have to abide by.

Thank you for replying last night POGS.

I am afraid there is only one blatant lie in your list - made by some who are still very much involved with the whole process NOW. The 'let's give our NHS the 350m the EU takes every week' on leaflets and posters. I can assure you that 1000s believed it- especially those on long waiting lists, or with children or mothers refused expensive treatments, etc. Call them stupid if you wish - but I can't blame them for believing the promises clearly made. Many of you blame 'remoaners' for calling 'leavers' 'thick' (I would never ever choose to use that word, bus since Ana has used it several times) - and yet this is exactly what you are doing in saying they should have realised it was all a lie.

Osborne and Cameron are no longer in GVT so cannot implement what they had promised. Farage is still pulling all the puppet strings from below stage... but he has of course no power.