Apart from the 1%, who are unaffected by all of this stuff - you know, the hedge fund managers, offshore account holders and non-dom types; coincidentally, people like Boris Johnson, Michael Gove, Nigel Farage and Jacob Rees-Mogg… Weird innit?

I had to smirk when Johnson in his resignation letter said Britain risked becoming a colony.

Surely that's just coincidence, it's as though you are saying that they may have a vested interest in us leaving and not so much to do with taking back control or, immigration , I cant speyk.

I think there are far greater economic risks in the near horizon than crashing out of the EU. For example, the probable financial collapse of Italy, which would make the last credit crisis look like a minor blip. It would probably destroy the Eurozone and have enormous implications for the UK's fragile financial sector too.

Glad you're not in charge of contingency planning then Dally.

An alternative view to that of the doom-mongers: https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/99882 ... May-latest

An alternative view to that of the doom-mongers: https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/99882 ... May-latest

Quote ="Dally"An alternative view to that of the doom-mongers: https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/99882 ... May-latest'" Thank goodness for the Daily Express. Even Jacob Rees Smug thinks it's going to take 50 years to see any benefit but the Express have proved him wrong. Three cheers for them and hooray for the blackshirts (Oops, that was the Mail not the Express)

Quote ="Dally"An alternative view to that of the doom-mongers: https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/99882 ... May-latest'" Thank goodness for the Daily Express. Even Jacob Rees Smug thinks it's going to take 50 years to see any benefit but the Express have proved him wrong. Three cheers for them and hooray for the blackshirts (Oops, that was the Mail not the Express)

The Daily Express. FFS.

So are we like the passengers on the Titanic, who not knowing the extent of the damage, or its ultimate consequences, prefer the seemingly strong and stable ship, to the risks of the lifeboats on the freezing open sea?

Quote ="Dally"An alternative view to that of the doom-mongers: https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/99882 ... May-latest'" An alternative view, comprehensively debunked by the [url=https://www.ft.com/content/9bddba54-16ea-11e8-9e9c-25c814761640FT[/url The telling phrase in your article is: "The advantage of using WTO terms is the UK is not bound by EU rules or committed to agree to its red tape and regulations" Yes, that bothersome EU red tape and regulation, ensuring such annoyingly unnecessary things as food safety, consumer protection, working regulations and dispute resolution; who needs all that nonsense getting in the way?

Quote ="Dally"An alternative view to that of the doom-mongers: https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/99882 ... May-latest'" An alternative view, comprehensively debunked by the [url=https://www.ft.com/content/9bddba54-16ea-11e8-9e9c-25c814761640FT[/url The telling phrase in your article is: "The advantage of using WTO terms is the UK is not bound by EU rules or committed to agree to its red tape and regulations" Yes, that bothersome EU red tape and regulation, ensuring such annoyingly unnecessary things as food safety, consumer protection, working regulations and dispute resolution; who needs all that nonsense getting in the way?

Indeed and the irony is that if we wish to supply our goods and services into the EU (post Brexit) we will still need to conform, despite the utter rubbish spouted by Boris, Gove and Farage, who seem to think we will lead the world once more, backed by our friends in the commonwealth.
If it wasn't so important, it would be truly hilarious.

I imagine that the odious Rees-Mogg is drawing up plans to reinstate the East India Company as we speak.

Have you forgotten David lammy and Diane Abbott?.

Just as 'we' have to conform to local standards in all other export markets.

Therefore, ironically, if we take on some new export markets, we will actually be increasing the numbers of rules and regulations that our manufacturers have to conform to.
It's hilarious when you think back to the "leave" brigade wanting to get rid of EU bureaucracy



Have you recognised the "pup" that "we" were sold yet.

I suspect the bonfire of red tape will be so that the UK is able to import any old rubbish that was previously banned such as chlorinated chicken and meat full of antiobiotics and other stuff so that a fast buck can be made. That and shredding environmental rules so that companies can pollute the beaches, seas and watercourses. It'll happen to improve "competitiveness".

Not to mention the protection of workers rights, which many companies see as a barrier to greater profits; but hey, taking back control and all that jazz.

Can anyone remember an MP showing such blatant disregard & contempt for a PM than Johnson?
Strong & stable.

Not so publicly but Jezza certainly had a habit of ignoring the Labour whips when he was a backbencher.

Johnson is like real life Alan B'stard.

The way his latest episode is being reported is in stark contrast to the breathless allegations of AS levelled at Corbyn and the Labour party; R4 yesterday was full of commentators and presenters saying "gaffe/colourful language/should we be allowed to offend people etc etc." And the most hateful media trope of all - constantly referring to him as 'Boris,' regardless of context, as if he's some harmless, comedy character who shouldn't be taken seriously.

Make no mistake - this was an exercise in market research, following his meeting with Steve Bannon; the Tory base likes a bit of racism, so he's testing the water to see if it increases his stock for a leadership bid.

R4 used to be accused of being pinkos but with Tories like Nick Robinson (used to be a paid up member of the party) and Humphreys (big mate of Paul Dacre) that’s no longer the case. Editor Sarah Sands past working for the Telegraph, Mail and Standard shines through. I wouldn’t be all that bothered but Humphreys in particular gets on my nerves so much with his rudeness and arrogance I’ve stopped listening.

The BBC tends to follow the mood of whichever government is in power which explains the soft treatment of Johnson. He’s playing to the Tory base with the letterbox and bank robber remarks. They were obviously going to overshadow whatever else he said. If he’s as clever as some people claim then he did that on purpose. I’m not so sure, he is gaffe prone and as PM he’d be a disaster. He’d go down well with the Brexiteers but I can’t help but think the country would find him less popular. I know a lot of conservatives who aren’t on board with the party’s continuous move to the right. Dog whistle politics didn't get Goldsmith the mayoral job. It won't win an election either.

Fact is, they're right. True freedom of speech includes the right to offend (within the law) and that includes mocking the appearance of women dressed like letterboxes (while actually defending their right to dress that way). If the 'victims' *cough* choose to take offence, so be it. Whether you approve of Boris Johnson or not is irrelevant.

I agree with you on the antisemitism furore. Oh there's little doubt many in Labour (and elsewhere) have little love for Israel - due mainly to their own alignment with Palestine and Islam - but they are absolutely entitled to criticise Israel within the law. Corbyn can hardly align himself with Hamas and Hezbollah as he has many times and expect anyone to believe he holds anything but contempt for Israel. But he's entitled to those views. He should stop squirming and backtracking and let the voters make their minds up.

We should all know by now there are 2 groups it's unwise to offend, mainly because they're particularly good at whipping up a backlash and doing a good "outrage" face: Jews/Israel (in this context the same thing) and Muslims. Whereas in fact we should all be free to legally offend, criticise and draw cartoons of certain prophets. We're heading down a very sorry path where freedom of speech is being dangerously tested.

The Grauniad today: "Islam is not a race but what Boris said is still racist". Gimme a break.

BTW, try some sources other than R4. The left-wing TV media in particular has been full of breathless "outrage" since the story broke. Just tonight I've listened to C4 News and Newsnight desperately trying to whip up further condemnation and offence. Unfortunately for them and the Left, they're finding the majority agree he has the right to offend. Whether that will stifle the rabid PC backlash remains to be seen.

FWIW I think they look like ninjas.

Utter rubbish based on zero evidence. "They'll shred the rules so companies can pollute" Have you heard yourself?

The UK has always led the way in many progressive laws - worker's rights for example, in facy moreso than the EU. Those rights are enshrined in law, just as EU law will be.

And you wonder why people accuse Remoaners of scaremongering.

There is no such thing as freedom of speech, anywhere. It is all within the law, otherwise it's not. Very few are suggesting Johnson broke the law. My views of organised religion vary between contempt & hatred, so am usually sympathetic to any pi ss take of religion. I would defend against any moves to stifle satire of religion. My problem with what Johnson said is that it (the letterbox/bank robber bit) was not an attack or criticism of religion, it was a deliberate insult, on an easy & usually silent target, meant to stoke up middle England support & xenophobia. He knew what the reaction would be, he knew May would have to react & he knew he would not apologise. It doesn’t matter if 48% of those polled support what he said, the measure of offence should be judged by those who he insulted.

There is a big difference between arguing & voting with your conscience (which is a noble tradition), & openly disregarding codes of conduct by actions carefully calculated to undermine your PM. May has no authority whatsoever.