SteviJan 4, 2023
Emeritus Prof Christopher May

The (political) elephant in the room: the electorate is coming to understand that they were misled, lied to & conned about #Brexit, but the main political parties (running scarred of the rabid right press) will not address the issue - there may be no simple answer to #BrexitReality but not talking about it at all is helping no-one.

Will 2023 be the year we (finally( have a reasonable discussion about out (future) relations with the #EU?

I'm not holding my breath

Dec 24, 2022 at 9:42amWeb
Show threadNigelTuckerDec 24, 2022
@ChrisMayLA6 No, we are never going to have a sensible conversation about Brexit, until it becomes glaringly obvious that it hasn't worked. The fear I have, is that Farage comes back, and appeals to the uninformed that the only way to get Brexit done, is to elect him and his half wits. Then we will be in serious trouble.
Show threadEmeritus Prof Christopher MayDec 24, 2022
@PortTalbot I hope you are wrong, but fear you may be right...
Show threadCarol HedgesDec 24, 2022
@PortTalbot @ChrisMayLA6 he is already on manoeuvres… as is his mate Tice
Show threadCarol HedgesDec 24, 2022
@PortTalbot @ChrisMayLA6 tho Reform will split the Tory vote. Trouble is unless Starmer/ Davey provide something positive re Europe, they will not get the ‘huge’ majority Labour predicts. IMO Starmer is currently having a ‘Swinson’ moment .. and we know how thatvended!
Show threadKenny KravitzDec 24, 2022

@Riotgrandma72 @PortTalbot @ChrisMayLA6 I thought Starmer was on the right track with 'build a better Brexit' because there's a lot of scope for doing that once Tory eurosceptic neuroses are out of the equation.

It seemed to fall flat and then he ruled out Single Market membership, so he's painted himself into a bit of a corner. The Swinson comparison is apt: she had decent ideas but people didn't seem to like them because they were coming out of her mouth.

Show threadCarol HedgesDec 24, 2022
@kennykravitz @PortTalbot @ChrisMayLA6 I was also using it in the over confident ‘ we will be the next govt’ sense.
Show threadKenny KravitzDec 24, 2022

@Riotgrandma72 @PortTalbot @ChrisMayLA6 Unfortunately that's traditional Lib Dem stage management. They always write the manifesto from the perspective of winning a majority and the party establishment believe doing otherwise gives credence to the 'vote Lib Dem, get Tory/Labour' attack line.

Personally I think they'd be better off being honest and instead saying 'these things will be the price for out support in government' i.e. electoral reform.

Show threadEmeritus Prof Christopher MayDec 24, 2022
@kennykravitz @Riotgrandma72 @PortTalbot Agreed, but then again they did that (on electoral reform) when they got into bed with the #Tories, and then were out-played by the Cameron-gang
Show threadKenny KravitzDec 24, 2022
@ChrisMayLA6 @Riotgrandma72 @PortTalbot Yes, played their hand terribly in government. Allowed the Tories to oppose them on both that and Lords reform when they could and should have demanded much more.
Show threadCarol HedgesDec 24, 2022
@ChrisMayLA6 doubt it. While Labour are targeting this lot of brexiteers and the Libs are too low profile to say they voted to rejoin the EU ( conference) but Davey is running scared. Basically the country is under the jackboot of the rightwing press and Fear of Farage. I am a Jew and Dual national. … expecting the knock on the door imminently!!! Happy Christmas and welcome to the 4th Reich!
Show threadRoyMotteramDec 25, 2022
@Riotgrandma72 @ChrisMayLA6 I don't think the conversation can start until Labour are in power & start to unpick the damage.
Show threadEmeritus Prof Christopher MayDec 25, 2022
@RoyMotteram @Riotgrandma72 Agreed, and the #Tories' strategy seems to be to cause as much disruption so Labour has to depend it (limited) political capital on some things while leaving other things undone (and a continuing source of rent to UK's tory supporting rentiers)
Show threadCarol HedgesDec 25, 2022
@ChrisMayLA6 @RoyMotteram you both have a point. But until Labourboffers something to get the votes of those who despair about the Brexit lies, they run the risk of alienating the remain voters. Just as Reform will split the Tories. And there is also a risk from Independents… saw this in a local council elections (Redcar) UKIP didn’t stand but 2 Indies did, splitting Labour and letting the Tories in ( just). Add the boundary changes and voting ID…
Show threadrmabennettDec 24, 2022
@ChrisMayLA6 when they say nothing, It makes me wonder if they don't agree
Show threadMartin FarrentDec 24, 2022

@ChrisMayLA6

Yes, this is a bizarre and increasingly significant phenomenon: politicians feeling unable to cater for existing public opinion - for fear that powerful entities can always swing sentiments back to the right when they feel the need and are given something to hook into.