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Not Dark Yet #311: A hostage to fortune

22/10/2019

5 Comments

 
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When Matt Western, our local MP, his face full of gravitas (not a trace of a smirk), approached the Speaker on Saturday afternoon, he made one of his most telling announcements of his parliamentary career. “The ayes to the right: 322” he declared. “The noes to the left: 306.”
 
He did not, as he might justifiably have done, then raise an index finger in the direction of the prime minister. But I, virtually and triumphantly, did.
 
Not because the passing of the Letwin amendment throws the Brexit nonsense into yet more confusion – although it does.
 
Not because it is yet another defeat for a prime minister who is uniquely unqualified for (and should be disqualified from) his office – although it is.
 
And not because I am enjoying this saga of shenanigans, this cycle of crassness, any more than anyone else – although, perversely, I am.
 
It is because this decision is too important to be decided by lies and ego. It is too important to be rushed through without due diligence.(Even the most academic of our MPs cannot be expected to read and digest thousands of words of gnomic prose in such a short time.)
 
And it is because, underpinning the whole Brexit debate, is the hard-/alt- right agenda which will see us denying workers’ rights, diminishing and deregulating our economy, opening ourselves to a Trump take-over of our NHS and other institutions.
 
Except, paradoxically, in Northern Ireland, which will continue to be subject to EU Law, including the European Court of Justice.
 
Lucky them.
 
I have no idea what will happen in the coming hours, days, weeks and months.
 
The Withdrawal Agreement Bill was released at 8pm last night. I didn’t read it. With a World Series about to start, I need to take every opportunity for sleep when I can. But nor can parliament be expected to take the most important decision for generations at such short notice.
 
And nor can parliament be expected to make the decision alone. At the very least, a confirmatory referendum is required.
 
Bizarrely, Labour is now the only party to commit to this.
 
It has taken months to arrive at this position, but it is the correct one. I applaud Matt Western, who was one of the first Labour members to come out in favour when so many of us were sceptical.
 
But that’s why we voted for him: for his judgement. And why, when the General Election is called, we will do so again.
 
 
Today from the everysmith vaults: I am told that an obscure Dead forum contained the following exchange over the weekend. Someone commented how nice it was to walk into a restaurant and hear Wake Of The Flood playing. To which someone else replied “was that Max’s in Leamington?” It wasn’t. But I am playing it in the office now if anyone wants to call by.

5 Comments
Bill
22/10/2019 11:49:04

On my way! On my way!

Reply
Allan
22/10/2019 11:59:55

The General Election campaign has clearly begun in Leamington! Floreat Laborem!

The thesis is sound. Brexit is only one symptom of the alt-right malaise which has taken over the Tory party on ideological grounds (ask Dominic Greave) and much of the country (by default). And although we need to address the symptom, we must also address the underlying issue - and, despite my concerns, that means Labour.

Your man looks to be a major player in Labour future.



Reply
(Notthat) Bob
22/10/2019 12:28:35

Of course it would be ‘telling’. He was a teller. Or am I just explaining your joke?

Reply
Joe
22/10/2019 13:03:18

If all you're doing is predicting chaos and catastrophe, it's not exactly a hostage to fortune. It's fact.

Reply
Simon
12/11/2019 11:31:02

Ha! It was me who asked if it was Max's in Leamington. I used to live in Southam (up to 10 years ago) and often dined at Wilde's . We sometimes chatted Dead and Dylan whilst we waited for our table. Great place and great food. I live in Lancashire now.

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    Max Smith

    European writer, radical, restaurateur and Red Sox fan. 70-something husband, father, step-father, grandfather and son. Resident in Warwick, England.

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