Hobson wins choice

Appalling skill was shown by the Govt in outmanoeuvring Remainers in Parliament, and thus demoralising Remainers everywhere else. After much talk in the luvvie press about imminent revolts and filiibustering amendments, the Govt finally granted a concession --there would be a vote at the end of the negotiating process on the deal which had been hammered out with the EU. Labour was very pleased with itself, and K Starmer said how it showed that steady pressure had paid off.

In the subsequent statement, clarification was offered.There would indeed be a vote for the House to decide whether to accept the deal -- or just crash out of Europe anyway, on the most basic trade terms (the so-called WTO package). Take it or leave it in every sense.

Still had to be put to the vote though. The Govt won by 33 votes. Starmer still thinks the Govt would not dare crash out -- it is maybe just Remainer permanent incredulity at events.

The Guardian sketch writer thinks the whole thing was a stunt to square away rebel Tories who thought Parliament should get a vote on principle, without demanding what sort of vote it was. Most Tories subsequently voted to accept the May proposal, no doubt leaving their principles intact, while doing their career prospects no harm.

Most of the other amendments have been swatted away too today, including Scot Nat ones. Wee Nicola Sturgeon still got a  pro-EU vote through her own Parliamentary mock-up and is still threatening to demand a new Independence Referendum for Scotland. The Graun offered some hope by saying 49% of those polled would now suppot it --but confessed that the 'don't knowns' had not been included.

There has only ever been one rare airing on the BBC of one problem with Soc Nats for Europe, when an interviewee said that he could not vote for Scottish withdrawal from the Union with England in the name of independence, only to vote for a new Union with Europe.

As with many Remainers, I still don't see why the EU raises such passionate commitment in the wee breasts of Scot Nats. I can see it is a good way to show distance with people you dislike,just like the general cultural wars that break out over tastes. But is there anything strongly positive?