May to seek snap election for 8 June - bbc

[OhSusana]

May to seek snap election for 8 June
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-39629603

My opinion - smart move on her part. There is no opposition!
This story obviously just breaking, as of 1315 hrs Paphos time.

See also
Theresa May announces snap general election on June 8
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/04 ... t-1115am1/

Theresa May's early general election speech in full
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/04 ... eech-full/

[Poppy]

For once I agree with you Ohsusana!
I think she is right and I think she made a good speech detailing her reasons why.

[Royal]

Her point is that Westminster is divided and that is not helpful for the negotiations. The Lib Dems and the SNP have vowed to oppose any final deal in Parliament. The unelected Lords have said much the same. Labour have said that that would oppose anything that was not in their interests.

Good on May. A safe pair of hands.

We need unity.

[Poppy]

I wonder how many of the "extreme remainers" on this forum will actually be able to vote in this election or have they been out of the country for too long?

[Royal]

I just hope that Tim Farron gets what I believe he so richly deserves from his constituents - a size 9 boot.

[Poppy]

It really does seem to me that there are no decent leaders of any party other than TM. Has it ever really been this bad before?

[Royal]

I suspect that the SNP are also going to be in for a shock...

[Dominic]

My initial thought was: Thank God she didn't say October. Imagine yet another long drawn out campaign.

My second thought was: if Remainers get elected, no doubt via a massive swing to the libdems, would they actually be able to rewind article 50? Because if the answer is no, what would be the point of, say, a remainer Tory voting for the Libdems? If it is a done deal, surely it is best for who you think is best capable of handling Brexit, rather than who you think can undo what has already been done/

If anybody has a definitive answer to my second point; can article 50 be reversed, I would love to hear it.

[josef k]

The answer is yes, at this stage it can be rescinded.

[Pete G]

The answer is yes, at this stage it can be rescinded.

I'd have to say that is not my understanding.

It could be delayed, in theory indefinitely, with the agreement of both parties, which I suppose has the same effect, but there is no provision in the Article itself for it to be recinded, nor any provision in 49 for an immediate rejoin without qualification.

Mind you with the EU's history of ignoring its own treaty articles when it finds them inconvenient, it probably doesn't make any difference anyway

[smudger]

Not sure you're right JK

http://uk.businessinsider.com/uk-suprem ... awn-2017-1

What's your evidence?

[Jimgward]

I don't think many seriously think they can stop Brexit, but it is entirely correct if some feel they want an elected member representing them to ensure that Brexit is not abused and delivered under just any terms.

As to why Tim Farron deserves a boot, I don't know.... Are politicians in opposition not expected to oppose with their views? Can politicians no longer have views that the hard-right might not like?

Some on here need to wind in and remember in a democracy, all views are important.

[Jimgward]

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/1523 ... arliament/
Iain Macwhirter: Theresa May's snap election looks to quash rival authority of Scottish Parliament

It’s rare indeed for Prime Ministers to spring genuine surprises. So much of politics is governed by leaks and briefings that to keep the news of a snap general election secret has been a major achievement.

But does it make sense for Theresa May go to the country right now?

She says she needs a mandate for Brexit - but she already has that form the June referendum. There is no serious opposition to Brexit in the Commons or even in the Lords. Article 50 went through without a hitch. The Supreme Court said the Scottish Parliament has no right to interrupt the course of Brexit. Labour has only offered token resistance to hard Brexit.

Theresa May has always argued there is no justification - “no ifs no buts” as she said on the BBC’s Andrew Marr show - for a general election and she was right. The government has a comfortable majority in the House of Commons.

She also repeatedly insisted that “now is not the time” for a referendum on Scottish independence because Britain needs a period of stability in order to make a success of coming our of the European Union.

Well, that also applies, surely to an early general election. Nicola Sturgeon will have her own thoughts on that.

The real reason for this election is, one suspects, because the government realises that it is losing the argument, not in the House of Commons, but in Brussels. The course of Brexit is proving much more problematic than the breezily optimistic Brexiteers said it would be last June.

They insisted that the EU would roll over and allow the UK unrestricted “frictionless” access to the European Single Market. This is clearly not going to happen. We are heading for a very hard Brexit indeed - essentially reverting to World Trade Organisation rules which means tariffs being raised on British exports and the restoration of regulations that inhibit British services, like the financial sector, operating freely in the single market.

Scotland clearly was also in the Prime Minister’s mind. Mrs May realises Ms Sturgeon has a very strong mandate in the Scottish parliament and that the Scottish Government is going to do its best to interrupt hard Brexit, even though Holyrood has no legal right to impede Article 50. Number Ten clearly foresees problems ahead on the Great Reform Bill which will repatriate Brussels law to the UK parliament.

There is a legal argument that powers over matters like agriculture and fisheries should go by default to the Scottish parliament. But that would impede the creation of a UK wide single market.

Mrs May is seeking a mandate that will overwhelm the rival authority of the Scottish Parliament. It will allow the UK government to decide on the future of the powers repatriated to Britain.

The Scotland Act is therefore very much in the firing line here.

The First Minister hasn’t spoken yet, but if this snap general election is a new referendum on Brexit, then it also looks like a new referendum on independence

[Firefly]

Good for Mrs May, I'm pretty sure the Conservatives will be elected, with Mrs May as P.M. There is no-one else fit to do the job at present.

Jackie

[Royal]

...As to why Tim Farron deserves a boot, I don't know.... Are politicians in opposition not expected to oppose with their views? Can politicians no longer have views that the hard-right might not like?

Some on here need to wind in and remember in a democracy, all views are important.

Surely democracy means that you represent the people? There are some politicians who believe that they are elected for THEIR OWN views and opinions. Tim Farron is one of these politicians.

[Royal]

Remainers seem eerily quiet since the General Election was announced...

[Jimgward]

...As to why Tim Farron deserves a boot, I don't know.... Are politicians in opposition not expected to oppose with their views? Can politicians no longer have views that the hard-right might not like?

Some on here need to wind in and remember in a democracy, all views are important.

Surely democracy means that you represent the people? There are some politicians who believe that they are elected for THEIR OWN views and opinions. Tim Farron is one of these politicians.

So, Mrs May was a solid Remainer.... did that mean she wasn't representing her constituents and deserved a boot up the arse?

[Royal]

No.

Theresa May campaigned for Remain PRIOR TO THE REFERENDUM.

The people spoke in the Referendum and the majority of the country said Leave.

Theresa May has heard and plans to carry out THE DEMOCRATIC WILL OF THE COUNTRY.

Simples.

[ApusApus]

Remainers seem eerily quiet since the General Election was announced...

Not really! As I posted on the other thread I think this was a shrewd & calculated decision on May's part, she realises that her chances of winning are high & consequently the risk of losing is small! She probably won't get a better opportunity to be honest.

It doesn't change my decision on Brexit, though!


Shane

[Firefly]

Seems to me that if you can't win, some think you should resort to crude language. for Heaven's sake, it's time some people grew up.

Jackie