People's Vote On Brexit
The latest opinion poll for the Evening Standard newspaper suggests that a majority of UK citizens support having a People's Vote on the final terms of Brexit.
So do I, but where oh where is Jeremy Corbyn and the leadership of the Labour Party?
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/brexit-britons-favour-second-referendum-by-23-point-margin-poll-shows-a3869266.html
Brexit latest: Britons favour second referendum by 23 point margin, poll shows
Polling on the two-year anniversary of the Brexit vote showed support for a second referendum
And support for staying in the EU is now 53 per cent compared to 47 per cent who still back Brexit, the poll by Survation found.
People's Vote On Brexit (23/06/18)
A Brexit supporter took to Twitter the other day to reassure fellow citizens that Airbus pulling its investments out of the UK would have absolutely no effect because she always flies from Stansted.
Meanwhile Nigel Farage also took to the airwaves to announce that:
"Brexit done badly will leave us in a worse position"
Whereas in June 2016 the UKIP leader's assessment was very different:
"The worst case scenario is better than where we are."
Who knows, maybe one day soon Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour leadership will stop supporting the Government and start opposing this madness.
People's Vote on Brexit (22/06/18)
Both Labour and the Tories are guilty of talking up a 'Brexit dividend' even though independent commentators agree that the UK economy will suffer as a consequence of leaving the EU.
Meanwhile The Times reports on what's happening in the real world with thousands of jobs at risk as Airbus prepares to pull its investment out of the UK.
Another good reason for a people's vote on the final terms of Brexit, if you ask me.
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/airbus-prepares-to-move-business-from-britain-over-brexit-fears-f6jnc7x2j
Airbus prepares to move business from Britain over Brexit fears
● Aerospace giant on brink of abandoning British investment
● Tens of thousands of manufacturing roles at risk over Brexit updated
By Francis Elliott - The Times
By Francis Elliott - The Times
An Airbus A380 Airplane lands at Heathrow. The company employs 14,000 people in Britain, whose jobs are among those at risk - ALAMY
The European aerospace company Airbus is set to become the first big manufacturer to pull investment from Britain after losing patience with Theresa May’s stalled Brexit negotiations.
Airbus, which generates £1.7 billion in tax revenues, is preparing to abandon plans to build aircraft wings at its British plants and move production to China, the US or elsewhere in Europe. It is making a series of investment decisions this summer because of worries that EU safety certifications will not apply from March next year and uncertainty over customs checks.
“In the absence of any clarity, we have to assume the worst-case scenario,” Tom Williams, the chief operating officer of Airbus, told The Times. “It is the dawning realisation that we now have to get on with it.”
The company, which directly employs 14,000 people and supports a further 110,000 jobs in its supply chain in the UK, has started stockpiling components in the event of a hard Brexit. It would “reconsider its footprint in the country, its investments in the UK and its dependency on the UK” if Britain crashed out of the EU without a deal, according to an internal risk assessment. The move puts tens of thousands of jobs at risk. “This extremely negative outcome for Airbus would be catastrophic,” it states.
In the most significant intervention on Brexit by a large company since the referendum two years ago, Airbus, which has factories in north Wales, Stevenage, Portsmouth and Bristol, reveals the warnings it delivered privately to the prime minister three weeks ago.
The European aerospace company Airbus is set to become the first big manufacturer to pull investment from Britain after losing patience with Theresa May’s stalled Brexit negotiations.
Airbus, which generates £1.7 billion in tax revenues, is preparing to abandon plans to build aircraft wings at its British plants and move production to China, the US or elsewhere in Europe. It is making a series of investment decisions this summer because of worries that EU safety certifications will not apply from March next year and uncertainty over customs checks.
“In the absence of any clarity, we have to assume the worst-case scenario,” Tom Williams, the chief operating officer of Airbus, told The Times. “It is the dawning realisation that we now have to get on with it.”
The company, which directly employs 14,000 people and supports a further 110,000 jobs in its supply chain in the UK, has started stockpiling components in the event of a hard Brexit. It would “reconsider its footprint in the country, its investments in the UK and its dependency on the UK” if Britain crashed out of the EU without a deal, according to an internal risk assessment. The move puts tens of thousands of jobs at risk. “This extremely negative outcome for Airbus would be catastrophic,” it states.
In the most significant intervention on Brexit by a large company since the referendum two years ago, Airbus, which has factories in north Wales, Stevenage, Portsmouth and Bristol, reveals the warnings it delivered privately to the prime minister three weeks ago.
People's Vote on Brexit! (17/06/18)
Politics Home reports that Stephen Pound MP, a member of Labour's frontbencher team at Westminster has joined the calls for a 'People's Vote' on the final terms of Brexit.
Good for him - I wonder if he'll now be sacked by Jeremy Corbyn for standing up and speaking out in support of what the vast majority of Labour Party members believe?
Here's a link to Peoples Vote UK and below that is another link to Politics Home where you can watch a video and listen to what Stephen Pound has to say.
https://www.peoples-vote.uk
https://www.politicshome.com/news/europe/eu-policy-agenda/brexit/news/96045/watch-blow-jeremy-corbyn-labour-shadow-minister-backs?
WATCH Blow for Jeremy Corbyn as Labour shadow minister backs fresh EU referendum
By Kevin Schofield - Politics Home
A senior member of Labour's frontbench has defied Jeremy Corbyn to back a second EU referendum.
A senior member of Labour's frontbench has defied Jeremy Corbyn to back a second EU referendum.
Protesters unveiled a 'Stop Backing Brexit' banner as Jeremy Corbyn spoke at the Labour Live festival - Credit: PA Images
Shadow Northern Ireland minister Stephen Pound said a "people's vote" should be held on the deal Theresa May eventually strikes with Brussels.
His comments put him at odds with official Labour policy, which is not to support another referendum.
Mr Pound said: "This decision is not something we can just forget about a week later. This is a decision that is going to affect my grandchildren, their children and every single generation of this country - it is so, so serious that we have to have a cold evaluation.
"This shouldn't be about ludicrous slogans on the side of a bus. This should be about the future of the European ideal - for us and for all future generations. Support a people's vote."
Mr Pound is the most senior member of Mr Corbyn's top team to break ranks with the leadership on Brexit policy.
Last month shadow ministerial aides Anna McMorrin and Tonia Antoniazzi both backed a cross-party call for another referendum.
Both of them were among six Labour frontbenchers to resign last week so they could break the Labour whip and back British membership of the European Economic Area.
Meanwhile, protesters unfurled a banner proclaiming 'Stop Backing Brexit' as Mr Corbyn addressed the Labour Live festival on north London on Saturday afternoon.
A spokesperson for the People's Vote campaign, which is calling for another referendum, backed Mr Pound's comments.
He said: "More and more Labour members, MPs and shadow ministers are demanding a people's vote on the final Brexit deal.
"Jeremy Corbyn should listen to the young people at Labour Live who called on him to stop backing the Government's Brexit and instead call for a people's vote."
Labour has been contacted for comment.
Shadow Northern Ireland minister Stephen Pound said a "people's vote" should be held on the deal Theresa May eventually strikes with Brussels.
His comments put him at odds with official Labour policy, which is not to support another referendum.
Mr Pound said: "This decision is not something we can just forget about a week later. This is a decision that is going to affect my grandchildren, their children and every single generation of this country - it is so, so serious that we have to have a cold evaluation.
"This shouldn't be about ludicrous slogans on the side of a bus. This should be about the future of the European ideal - for us and for all future generations. Support a people's vote."
Mr Pound is the most senior member of Mr Corbyn's top team to break ranks with the leadership on Brexit policy.
Last month shadow ministerial aides Anna McMorrin and Tonia Antoniazzi both backed a cross-party call for another referendum.
Both of them were among six Labour frontbenchers to resign last week so they could break the Labour whip and back British membership of the European Economic Area.
Meanwhile, protesters unfurled a banner proclaiming 'Stop Backing Brexit' as Mr Corbyn addressed the Labour Live festival on north London on Saturday afternoon.
A spokesperson for the People's Vote campaign, which is calling for another referendum, backed Mr Pound's comments.
He said: "More and more Labour members, MPs and shadow ministers are demanding a people's vote on the final Brexit deal.
"Jeremy Corbyn should listen to the young people at Labour Live who called on him to stop backing the Government's Brexit and instead call for a people's vote."
Labour has been contacted for comment.
Message for Corbyn - STOP BACKING BREXIT! (17/06/18)
A group of enterprising young Labour supporters had a message for Jeremy Corbyn at yesterday's 'Labour Live' event in London - STOP BACKING BREXIT!
For having the temerity to speak out and echo the views the vast majority of Labour Party members the young protesters were asked to leave the event even though they must had paid for their tickets to be there in the first place.
Whatever happened to peaceful and good natured protest inside the Labour Party?
Maybe it's gone the same way as Labour Party democracy over Brexit because the vast majority of members support staying in the Single Market and the Customs Union - as well as having a popular vote on the final terms of any proposed Brexit deal.
For The Few, Not The Many (16/06/18)
The HIGNFY (Have I Got News For You) team have some fun with today's 'Labour Live' event in London, which has been dubbed 'Jezzfest' as if Jeremy Corbyn were some kind of ageing rock star.
In any event, ticket sales have been so slow that Unite and Len McClusjey have stepped and thrown some money around in a desperate effort to save the day.
Waste Of Members’ Money! (28/05/18)
Unite members will be interested to learn that union bosses have spent a sizeable chunk of their union dues on free tickets to 'Jezfest' - a music festival being held in London next month to promote Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour Party.
What a terrible waste of union members money if you ask me, but read the full story in the following link to Politics Home and decide for yourself.
https://www.politicshome.com/news/uk/political-parties/labour-party/jeremy-corbyn/news/95497/unite-gives-away-thousand-tickets
Unite gives away a thousand tickets to Labour music festival after poor sales
By Liz Bates - Politics Home
Unite has stepped in to buy a thousand tickets for Labour’s troubled music festival Labour Live following disappointing sales.
By Liz Bates - Politics Home
Unite has stepped in to buy a thousand tickets for Labour’s troubled music festival Labour Live following disappointing sales.
Jeremy Corbyn addresses the crowd at last year's Glastonbury - Credit: PA
The union announced that it will be giving away 1,000 tickets to the event – dubbed 'Jezfest' – which would have cost £35 at full price.
As part of the offer, it also promised to provide free travel for those who needed it.
Jeremy Corbyn insists Labour music festival will be 'huge success' despite poor ticket sales
Ed Miliband among leading Labour moderates speaking at Momentum festival
Jeremy Corbyn invited to join the stars at Glastonbury festival
The move follows reports of poor ticket sales, prompting fears the party could suffer major financial losses of up to £1m.
The event takes place on 16 June at the White Hart Lane recreation ground in Tottenham, north London, which has a capacity of around 20,000. However, only 2,500 tickets have reportedly been sold so far.
Bands already confirmed to appear include the Magic Numbers and Reverend and the Makers, while Mr Corbyn himself, John McDonnell, and left-wing columnist Owen Jones are scheduled to speak.
In an effort to boost uptake, Labour MPs have also been urged to use their Twitter and Facebook accounts to drum up support for the event.
They were told in an email: "MPs are asked to help promote the festival – including amongst their own CLP members - by sharing the below tweets or facebook posts on their social media accounts.
"We’re (sic) written a selection of tweets for you to send out from your CLP/MP account. Pick one or two that you like best."
In a message sent out to Labour members, Unite said: “If you are quick you have the chance to book a free ticket for the event.
“Unite have 1,000 tickets to give away on a first-come first-served basis… Contact your local Labour party regional office to find out about the free travel services we’re providing.”
A Labour spokesperson responded: “Labour Live is one of the ways we’re continuing to open up politics to a wider audience and spread Labour’s message about how we can build a society that works for the many, not the few.
“We welcome the support of the wider labour movement.”
Scaredy Cat Unions and Dead Sheep (12/05/18)
I promised to say my tuppence worth about the 'scaredy cats' at Unite once I stopped laughing at the bizarre statement issued on the union's behalf.
Here's the killer paragraph which had me laughing like a drain:
"The reason for walking out was because this outside body should not have a say on the new job evaluation scheme that the council are trying to implement. .This is an external body and should not be given that kind of power as these people have no such experience or expertise in these complex matters..Council officials and Trade Unions are the ones who should be involved in setting out anything to do with job evaluation and ow best to protect our terms and conditions."
Now the first thing to say is that Unite's confidence in 'council officials' is very touching, but is badly misplaced because these same senior officials are the ones who commissioned and introduced the 'unfit for purpose' WPBR in the first place.
The union announced that it will be giving away 1,000 tickets to the event – dubbed 'Jezfest' – which would have cost £35 at full price.
As part of the offer, it also promised to provide free travel for those who needed it.
Jeremy Corbyn insists Labour music festival will be 'huge success' despite poor ticket sales
Ed Miliband among leading Labour moderates speaking at Momentum festival
Jeremy Corbyn invited to join the stars at Glastonbury festival
The move follows reports of poor ticket sales, prompting fears the party could suffer major financial losses of up to £1m.
The event takes place on 16 June at the White Hart Lane recreation ground in Tottenham, north London, which has a capacity of around 20,000. However, only 2,500 tickets have reportedly been sold so far.
Bands already confirmed to appear include the Magic Numbers and Reverend and the Makers, while Mr Corbyn himself, John McDonnell, and left-wing columnist Owen Jones are scheduled to speak.
In an effort to boost uptake, Labour MPs have also been urged to use their Twitter and Facebook accounts to drum up support for the event.
They were told in an email: "MPs are asked to help promote the festival – including amongst their own CLP members - by sharing the below tweets or facebook posts on their social media accounts.
"We’re (sic) written a selection of tweets for you to send out from your CLP/MP account. Pick one or two that you like best."
In a message sent out to Labour members, Unite said: “If you are quick you have the chance to book a free ticket for the event.
“Unite have 1,000 tickets to give away on a first-come first-served basis… Contact your local Labour party regional office to find out about the free travel services we’re providing.”
A Labour spokesperson responded: “Labour Live is one of the ways we’re continuing to open up politics to a wider audience and spread Labour’s message about how we can build a society that works for the many, not the few.
“We welcome the support of the wider labour movement.”
Scaredy Cat Unions and Dead Sheep (12/05/18)
I promised to say my tuppence worth about the 'scaredy cats' at Unite once I stopped laughing at the bizarre statement issued on the union's behalf.
Here's the killer paragraph which had me laughing like a drain:
"The reason for walking out was because this outside body should not have a say on the new job evaluation scheme that the council are trying to implement. .This is an external body and should not be given that kind of power as these people have no such experience or expertise in these complex matters..Council officials and Trade Unions are the ones who should be involved in setting out anything to do with job evaluation and ow best to protect our terms and conditions."
Now the first thing to say is that Unite's confidence in 'council officials' is very touching, but is badly misplaced because these same senior officials are the ones who commissioned and introduced the 'unfit for purpose' WPBR in the first place.
Along with its 37 hour 'rule' and discriminatory practices overtime working and holiday pay arrangements etc etc.
And, of course, Unite are not going to restrain or influence the City Council's 'wise' officials second time around because Unite have played no role in the hearings at the Employment Tribunal, Employment Appeal Tribunal or the Court of Session - which finally resulted in the WPBR pay scheme being condemned as 'unfit for purpose' in Scotland's highest civil court.
Now trying to ride on the coat tails of A4ES, Unison and GMB is one thing, but 'telling your granny how to suck eggs' is quite another, so it's little wonder that angry union members are leaving Unite to join Unison or GMB.
Stefan Cross is none too impressed with the behaviour of the scaredy union cats at Unite who have been about as much use as a 'chocolate teapot', up until now, in the long fight for equal pay with Glasgow City Council.
I'll have more to say myself in the next day or two (once I manage to stop laughing), but as the old Labour warhorse Dennis Healey might have said - being attacked on equal pay by Unite is like 'being savaged by a 'dead sheep'.
Now trying to ride on the coat tails of A4ES, Unison and GMB is one thing, but 'telling your granny how to suck eggs' is quite another, so it's little wonder that angry union members are leaving Unite to join Unison or GMB.
Scaredy Union Cats and Dead Sheep (11/05/18)
Stefan Cross is none too impressed with the behaviour of the scaredy union cats at Unite who have been about as much use as a 'chocolate teapot', up until now, in the long fight for equal pay with Glasgow City Council.
I'll have more to say myself in the next day or two (once I manage to stop laughing), but as the old Labour warhorse Dennis Healey might have said - being attacked on equal pay by Unite is like 'being savaged by a 'dead sheep'.
