UK General Discussion: 2019. Blackadder goes Brexit.

[CumbrianLefty]

John Bercow, the HoC Speaker, is to stand down (as an MP also) by the end of the year.

(in other words at the next GE assuming, as is now very likely, there is one before then)

When taking over in summer 2009, he said he would not do more than a decade.

[Silent Hunter]

To rapturous applause from the opposition.

[Devout Centrist]

I think the most likely outcome is that Boris simply chooses to ignore the Benn Act. This is blatantly illegal, of course, but would anything really happen to him?

[Silent Hunter]

Quite possibly. Considering he has no majority now.

[CumbrianLefty]

The point is, just ignoring it would be *illegal*.

[Helsinkian]

Some Tory MP is just now shouting "You're a bully!" to Bercow.

[Middle-aged Europe]

Some Tory MP is just now shouting "You're a bully!" to Bercow.

Sounds like Bercow needs to restore ORRRDDEER.

[Antonio the Sixth]

John Bercow, the HoC Speaker, is to stand down (as an MP also) by the end of the year.

(in other words at the next GE assuming, as is now very likely, there is one before then)

When taking over in summer 2009, he said he would not do more than a decade.

Nooooooooooooooooooo

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

After he stoods down, we must ask John Bercow to become a moderator on the Atlas.

[cp]

I think the most likely outcome is that Boris simply chooses to ignore the Benn Act. This is blatantly illegal, of course, but would anything really happen to him?

He could be impeached from office by a vote of parliament, expelled from parliament, and/or have a vote of no confidence passed against his government.

Also, if Johnson (or anyone, really) violated the Benn Act they could face up to 15 years in prison and be liable for civil penalties for any damages incurred as a result of their crime. Civil penalties could also apply to anyone found to have conspired to aid Johnson in his violation of the law - that includes MPs and special advisers working in Downing Street.

[Devout Centrist]

I think the most likely outcome is that Boris simply chooses to ignore the Benn Act. This is blatantly illegal, of course, but would anything really happen to him?

He could be impeached from office by a vote of parliament, expelled from parliament, and/or have a vote of no confidence passed against his government.

Also, if Johnson (or anyone, really) violated the Benn Act they could face up to 15 years in prison and be liable for civil penalties for any damages incurred as a result of their crime. Civil penalties could also apply to anyone found to have conspired to aid Johnson in his violation of the law - that includes MPs and special advisers working in Downing Street.

Oh I'm aware that there are potential consequences for Johnson's inaction. My concern is, will those consequences materialize?

I suppose were Johnson to ignore the Benn Act, the opposition would call a vote of no confidence. But could they form a government in time? You'd think that the terrible prospect of a 'no deal' Brexit would bring them together, but I have my doubts.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

My concern is, will those consequences materialize?

If this all amounted to active law-breaking, then, yes. The British political system has its problems, but a lack of a strong State/government distinction is not one of them.

[cp]

My concern is, will those consequences materialize?

If this all amounted to active law-breaking, then, yes. The British political system has its problems, but a lack of a strong State/government distinction is not one of them.

Agreed. Don't get me wrong it would be the ugliest parliamentary confrontation, arguably constitutional crisis, since Home Rule in 1914 - and this time without a World War to intervene and stop it (well, I hope!) - but Johnson would be unable to sustain a government if he was literally under arrest. Even most pro-No Deal MPs in the Tory Party won't stand for deliberately breaking the law, especially when they could be considered accessories to it.

[Devout Centrist]

My concern is, will those consequences materialize?

If this all amounted to active law-breaking, then, yes. The British political system has its problems, but a lack of a strong State/government distinction is not one of them.

Fair enough. Are there any other tactics that Johnson is exploring?

[Lumine]

Another Grieve motion just passed, ordering a number of prominent government officials and advisers (including invincible masterful strategist Dominic Cummings) to disclose to the House "all correspondence and other communications" since July 23rd regarding the Prorogation, and ordering ministers to publish government documents regarding Operation Yellowhammer (No-Deal preparations) submitted to the Cabinet.

The government is most unwilling to comply despite the motion meaning the Queen will formally make the request, which should be interesting to watch.

[Silent Hunter]

311-302. That's five defeats.

[Lumine]

The hell is the Government doing?

Corbyn put a motion regarding the rule of law and whether the Government would abide by the Benn bill, and no one on the frontbench rose to officially respond. Peter Bone (!) is responding for the government because - literally - no minister would.

[DINGO Joe]

The hell is the Government doing?

Corbyn put a motion regarding the rule of law and whether the Government would abide by the Benn bill, and no one on the frontbench rose to officially respond. Peter Bone (!) is responding for the government because - literally - no minister would.

Is that his porn name?

[Pandaguineapig]

Looks like the Hobbit in the speaker's chair would rather retire to the shire than risk losing his seat in the election

[Former President tack50]

Looks like the midget in the speaker's chair would rather retire to the shire than risk losing his seat in the election

The speaker's seat generally goes uncontested, at least by the major parties. I guess the Brexit party would contest it, but there's no way Bercow would have lost his seat if he went for reelection

Also, fun fact: Buckingham voted remain. Not by a particularly large margin (48% Leave), but voted remain nontheless.

[Pandaguineapig]

Looks like the midget in the speaker's chair would rather retire to the shire than risk losing his seat in the election

The speaker's seat generally goes uncontested, at least by the major parties. I guess the Brexit party would contest it, but there's no way Bercow would have lost his seat if he went for reelection

Also, fun fact: Buckingham voted remain. Not by a particularly large margin (48% Leave), but voted remain nontheless.

The Tories announced that they would challenge him for breaking his neutrality. His seat is a remain marginal but it is ancestrally Tory

[Former President tack50]

Looks like the midget in the speaker's chair would rather retire to the shire than risk losing his seat in the election

The speaker's seat generally goes uncontested, at least by the major parties. I guess the Brexit party would contest it, but there's no way Bercow would have lost his seat if he went for reelection

Also, fun fact: Buckingham voted remain. Not by a particularly large margin (48% Leave), but voted remain nontheless.

The Tories announced that they would challenge him for breaking his neutrality. His seat is a remain marginal but it is ancestrally Tory

Even so, it's easy to see Bercow holding on to the seat running as speaker. It's an ancestrally Tory seat, but they would lose a bit of their vote to the Brexit party, while the opposition would be unified (no remain party would contest it; not Labour, not the LDs, not the Greens).

It would be close, but I imagine Bercow wins with a percentage in the 40s. Of course, with Bercow out it's now safe Tory.

[jaichind]

It seems LDEM will take the position of revoking Article 50. If so then there will be no LAB-LDEM remain alliance in the upcoming election.  Question is will these be a de facto if not de jure CON-BXP leave alliance. 

[Conservatopia]

Wow. Did anyone see Ian Austin?  He's been wanting to get that off his chest for a long time...

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Looks like the Hobbit in the speaker's chair would rather retire to the shire than risk losing his seat in the election

I'll give you C- for the effort.