Are we about to trigger Article 16?

If we do then the EU can potentially put a tariff on everything we send to the EU how will this help us. Why isn’t it essential for Parliament to vote on it?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-59190547

Its a funny old world when I start thinking John Major is talking sense...

He probably thinks it would be a good diversionary tactic after the sleaze of last week, so I wouldn't be surprised.

Urmstongran, are you actually hoping that they will?

Are you absolutely clear about the consequences that would have on the UK, in 1000s of ways?

I am indeed.
What we have now is Brexit-lite.

John Major? ???
The man who tried to hide the ‘cash for questions’ scandal.
And had the affair with Edwina Currie.

Not so squeaky clean himself.
But then very few are once in power.

One thing I think we could very confidently say is that John Major is squeaky cleaner than Boris. For an ex PM to publicly condemn the actions of the current government of the same party so damningly there has to be just cause - and he isn’t alone. If they do attempt to invoke Article 16 I can see it being the end of Boris and Co. it will be an interesting week in politics ahead.

John Major? ???
The man who tried to hide the ‘cash for questions’ scandal
And had the affair with Edwina Currie.

It was Major who set up the Nolan enquiry and inaugurated the system of monitoring and maintaining standards we have now, BECAUSE of the cash for questions scandal.

Will you stop posting stupid insinuations.

I don't see what his affair with Edwina Currie has to do with his ability to think clearly, and speak knowledgeably, about the workings of parliament and the appalling conduct of the current government.

If unsuitability for any public office is measured by the number of affairs the aspirant/holder has then your man would be nowhere near being a parish councillor, let alone PM...

But then very few are once in power.

I'll just add that Johnson has been filthy for most of his life. Didn't need to be 'in power' to become that; scum right from the start...

In part I was just highlighting Major’s personal past. Just as others on her bang on about Boris.

John Major, with his "We are the masters now" criticism of the the Government, gives the game away about the view of the remainers.

They lost the referendum, and having initially managed to get a remainer in charge of the negotiations(!), they have now lost that too. They are no longer the "masters", and cannot control our relationship with the EU - that they want to remain very, very close, so that they can, at a time in the future, seek to rejoin, or all but rejoin the EU.

The remainers have been, and will continue to seek any opportunity to undermine this Government, and their targets will be those who voted for, or support Brexit.

I'll just add that Johnson has been filthy for most of his life. Didn't need to be 'in power' to become that; scum right from the start...

Is that you Angela?

When I read nonsense like the above, I really do despair about the future of the country. I cannot believe that anybody is so blinkered. Hopefully, it's a minority view.

Some people need to grow up and stop seeing politics in terms of winners and losers.

Alegrias1

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-59190547

Its a funny old world when I start thinking John Major is talking sense...

yeah but he bonked Edwina Curry, so I for one am not sure about trusting his judgement

Surely if you think that power corrupts any one person then spreading power, having say other countries and a form of government with proportional representation is a good thing as power is shared more equally, there are more checks and balances and corruption is reduced.

You say others 'bang on about Boris' Urmstongran but can you see why? Can you not see that people have due cause to be suspicious of him based on the entire evidence of his life?

greenlady102

Alegrias1

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-59190547

Its a funny old world when I start thinking John Major is talking sense...

yeah but he bonked Edwina Curry, so I for one am not sure about trusting his judgement

And the guy whose number of affairs is beyond measure, including one with a pole dancer? How's his judgement?

Not so squeaky clean himself.
But then very few are once in power

That's right. So that's irrelevant when we think about what's happening and make up our own minds.

If you're worrying about "squeaky clean" tho UG, aren't you a little miffed by the widespread corruption in the current Government?

I am. But that’s not going to butter any parsnips.

'Fine words butter no parsnips' means that nothing concrete is achieved by empty words or flattery.

How's that relevant here?

'Boris Johnson is deliberately picking Brexit fights with the EU to distract from scandals back in the UK, Keir Starmer has suggested.
The Labour leader claimed the prime minister was hoping to draw attention away from fiascos like the Owen Paterson lobbying affair by talking tough abroad.
It comes after the government dramatically ramped up the rhetoric against the European Union just as it was forced to U-turn on abolishing a corruption watchdog.'

Urmstongran, how does NO DEAL- butter any parsnips???

Do you have any understanding whatsoever of the consequences of triggering Art. 16? How long will your jubilation last? You truly scare me.

And nothing concrete will happen about my concern over sleaze - well until the next G.E.
?

I see that various government departments are being asked to develop plans.

I’m not sure Article 16 will be triggered. Perhaps we just have to seem serious about the whole thing.

Optics count.

Optics do count - re trust, credibility, honesty -

the EU and the whole world is watching the antics in the UK- and they have come to the conclusions that Johnson, Frost and the UK cannot be trusted, in any way, shape or form. Most of the UK thinks the same, including an increasing and significant number of Conservatives, in the House and in the whole country.

The question needs repeating I am afraid.

''Are you absolutely clear about the consequences that would have on the UK, in 1000s of ways?''

The EU will stick together and supply each other, with the full support of the USA. No Deal would affect them for sure - but it would just DESTROY the uk's businesses, agriculture, fisheries, and have extremely serious consequences for energy supply and prices, medicines, essential chemicals for water purification, and so much more. And of course cause massive problems with NI.

So apart from making you feel better about 'showing them what's what, so there ...' can you give any, any at all, advantages to triggering art 16 and ending up with No Deal.

Analysis published in The Independent shows that the total of trade deals done since Brexit amount to about 49p per person.