Unthreaded
Crete shrouded in orange Sahara dust
.yeh diesel not
stewgreen
In terms of the armed forces being part of the EU army for two years after Brexit, I can't see that it's a problem. Almost any incident that would involve an EU army would also be a NATO operation unless it was against another NATO country. Highly unlikely and there's no reason we couldn't disagree, should such an event occur. It's more likely that the UK would be asking the EU army to get involved anyway. Ideally we'd all try to stay out of trouble. Just think of it as joint manouvers and for a short time anyway.
There are other things more worrying.
Unfortunately successive governments have given up control to the EU but also to the Civil Service that has its own agendas. I doubt that any leader could have undone all that in 2 years. when at the same time deal with infighting, and an opposition turning into the communists, ably backed by our brightest (and most stupid) youth. May isn't some Machiavellian genius trying to keep us in the EU, she's just a bit cr@p. The remoaners have a point in that there was no plan for what it would be like after Brexit, although they are also largely responsible for no work having been done on it before hand. I'm not sure we'd know what to offer up and what to keep in the negotiations. No country has ever tried to escape from a similar situation without warfare and those are not without considerable pain. We have the most craven, whiney, self absorbed youth ever, who won't tolerate a moments discomfort and will sell the country out for cheaper mobile roaming. We have a media (traditional and social media) who rip every decision to pieces. How can a government be bold with them at their back?
Is it best to just rip off the plaster or ease it off? There are arguments for both, but frankly this country has been on easy street too long to manage a sudden plunge into the real world. If the exit is too scarey, business will flee and we'd run the risk of a new referendum overturning the lot. I'm afraid we have to accept some compromises - but which ones?
TinyCO2
Mark. A councillor's worst nightmare, in spades. Where I live we had a councillor who thought that all she had to do was turn up and vote. She resigned after two months complaining that she didn't think she had to deal with PEOPLE, or their demands.
Supertroll
More evidence Putin controls UK's mad energy policy
\\Banks mining group hits out at "perverse" decision to refuse open casting near Druridge Bay Northumberland. PA
Government "would prefer to source the coal that is essential...from Russia or the US, rather than support substantial investment and job creation plans in our region" //
Gov overturned local council approval in Climate crowns apparently
stewgreen
Messenger: the Football Lads Alliance is drawing a lot of crowds to their protests, though these do not get any airtime on the MSM – I wonder how many will turn up in Birmingham, today, and if there will be any MSM coverage of it. UKIP is dying the death of a thousand cuts, as it slowly subsides under the onslaught of petty infighting; quite why its more promising members should throw such hissy fits and leave to form their own parties just because things have not gone completely their way makes one question their motives. The ground where neither Labour nor Conservative stand, yet the general population live is being lost to many minor groups, where one party should be able to take command. The FLA and its affiliate, Veterans Against Terrorists, would be prime candidates for alliance with UKIP, were it to have a suitably strong, charismatic leader, one who could still the fifth-columnists who are well-ensconced in the party.
Radical Rodent
tomo and golf charlie.
If you want to take a look at the allegedly dodgy goings-on at just one Council (which may be replicated nation-wide?), this website might be worth a look:
http://oldgrumpy.co.uk/
Mark Hodgson
Fish, money, the armed forces, immigration, sovereignty, transition , free speech and the ECJ- is there anything left of Brexit that Teresa May is not willing to conceded to the rude bullies in the EU?
I sit here fuming and fuming daily- and apart from blog commenters commenting, what can we do? Is there anyone listening in Parliament who is prepared to do anything about it? Or do we just meekly say ."....oh well...." , make a feeble protest vote against the Tory party and get JC at the next election?.
Messenger
Mar 23, 2018 at 11:59 PM | tomo
Even if formats have changed, someone has to have the authority to sign a check, and that authority must be approved or delegated , ultimately by a Council Meeting.
Individual Council Officers may have their own budgets, such as "New Road Signs" or "Catering" but they should not be able to turn that into fact finding trips to the Monaco Grand Prix.
Council Members and Officers dealing with Planning Permission may not control much expenditure, but their decisions may be worth miilions.
golf charlie
Govt Plotting ‘Below the Radar’ Deal Keeping UK Military Tied to EU After Brexit
A new Draft Exit Agreement, announced this week, demands the UK remain committed to the EU’s new “defence architecture” during the ‘transition period’.
Appeaser Theresa capitulates again.
"Transition Period" after Article 50 two years?
No, no, no - "Transition Period" Is Article 50 two years.
Pcar
Mar 24, 2018 at 11:58 AM | Supertroll
Mar 24, 2018 at 8:40 AM | Mark Hodgson
Councillors should represent local people and local interests. That is what Local Govrnment should be about. Some are purely motivated by National Politics, with aspirations of furthering their own interests. Some concentrate on local conditions to further their own interests.
Gaining access and control of substantial grant funding that is not perceived as Council Taxpayer's Money, may lead some to conclude that the same rules of diligence and accountability are not required when spending it.
EU Money will be missed by some Council Officers, Members and their dependants.