On the evening of 29th March, I co-hosted an event on a boat on the River Thames on behalf of The Freedom Association. It was supposed to be a celebration. Just before 11pm, we had planned to lower the EU flag, and at 11pm on the dot, we planned to raise the Union Flag.But that wasn’t to be. Instead, our evening of celebration turned into a protest event.
We heard from many wonderful speakers: MEPs, an MP, and from BrexitCentral’s own Jonathan Isaby. I thought that I would be feeling down as the evening ended, but I wasn’t. I was feeling upbeat because there was a group of around 80 people packed aboard the boat determined to fight for democracy.
MPs have rejected a Labour-led effort to take control of Parliament's timetable, blocking the latest attempt to stop a no-deal Brexit. The Commons opposed the move by 309 votes to 298.
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The next morning, as I was walking by the river near Tower Bridge, I decided I would put my name forward as a potential candidate for the Brexit Party.There is something bigger than Brexit, and that is democracy. Democracy trumps everything. My vote has the same value as yours.
We may choose to exercise it for the same candidate in an election, or for the same in a referendum, or we may disagree. But the one thing that unites all democrats is that the candidate or proposition which garners the largest amount of votes, wins.
Those who have lost, respect the decision made by the majority. That’s how it works – or at least how it should work.I am sure you remember the pamphlet which went through every letterbox in the nation before the 2016 referendum, published by the Government and paid for by you, which predicted economic Armageddon if we had the audacity to vote the “wrong way” and put a cross in the box next to Leave. In that horrendous piece of Government propaganda, we were told that the result of the referendum would be honoured.What has happened since should strike terror into the heart of every democrat. Theresa May has always regarded Brexit as a damage limitation exercise, rather than the fantastic opportunity it is. Her former joint chief of staff, Nick Timothy, has admitted that. She has never believed in Brexit.
A majority of the Cabinet are opposed to Brexit, as are a majority of MPs and peers. Despite promises made in manifestos by both the Conservatives and Labour to remove the UK from the Single Market and Customs Union, both parties are determined to deliver a bitter tasting fudge – a half-in, half-out, Brexit In Name Only hell from which we cannot unilaterally extricate ourselves.Just a few days ago, I spoke to a lady in Grimsby who told me that she was 68 years old and had voted in every election since the age of 18 – an impressive 50 years of never missing an election. But this time she told me that she wasn’t going to vote because of the way Leave voters had been betrayed. After a short conversation, I did persuade her to vote for the Brexit Party, but if I was asked to come up with three words that sum up what Leave voters think, betrayal would be one of them.
The other two are democracy and treachery.The Labour Party and the Conservative Party are not going to deliver Brexit. Other parties like the Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, Change UK (or whatever they are called by the time this article is published), Plaid Cymru, and the SNP are actively trying to subvert the democratic wishes of 17.4 million people.
There is only one party which is standing up for Brexit and has a serious chance of making a real difference, and that is the Brexit Party. If you are a democrat, we are the only party you can vote for.The post appeared first on.
Leaders of the European Union closed ranks on Wednesday, lamenting Britain's rejection of a Brexit deal while cautiously entertaining the idea of an extension.Despite, an issue that has long vexed British lawmakers, the UK Parliament rejected an exit deal from the EU.EU reactionChief EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said Brussels had nothing more to offer and must now brace for the possibility of a messy divorce. 'The EU has done everything it can to help get the Withdrawal Agreement over the line,' Barnier tweeted. 'The impasse can only be solved in the #UK. Our 'no-deal' preparations are now more important than ever before.' European Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs Pierre Moscovici said the spurned deal was the 'last chance' for a Brexit deal and that EU authorities were relatively prepared in terms of customs arrangements in case of a no deal exit. 'It is time now for the British to say what they want, now that they've said what they don't want,' Moscovici told France 2 television.Before the vote, EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told Britain, 'There will be no third chance.' He said any extension would have to be endorsed by the 27 remaining EU nations and would have to end before EU elections in May.Read more.
Brexit timeline: Charting Britain's turbulent exodus from Europe July-October 2017: Money, rights and IrelandThe second round of talks in mid-July began with an unflattering photo of a seemingly unprepared British team. It and subsequent rounds ended with little progress on three phase one issues: How much Britain still needed to pay into the EU budget after it leaves, the post-Brexit rights of EU and British citizens and whether Britain could keep an open border between Ireland and Northern Ireland. Brexit timeline: Charting Britain's turbulent exodus from Europe April 2019: Brexit delayed until HalloweenWith the April 12 deadline looming after the third defeat of May's deal, EU leaders met again in Brussels to discuss a second delay. The only question was how long should it be? In the end, the UK and EU agreed to a 'flexible' extension until October 31 — which can end sooner if the Brexit deal is approved.
The UK had to take part in EU elections in May because their exit wasn't secured in time. Brexit timeline: Charting Britain's turbulent exodus from Europe September 2019: Johnson's election threatConservative rebels and opposition MPs backed efforts to delay an October 31 Brexit deadline in fear of a no-deal departure. In response, Johnson called for a general election, saying his government cannot rule without a mandate after he stripped 21 rebel MPs of their Conservative status. The Labour Party said it would not back elections until legislation to block a no-deal Brexit was in place.Author: Alexander Pearson. German Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said he hoped UK lawmakers on Wednesday would decisively vote down a no-deal Brexit.
'After divisive debates and votes, today can become a turning point,' Altmaier tweeted. 'Rejecting No-deal-Brexit by a large cross-party majority will unite millions in the UK & in Europe. Whatever you finally decide. Good luck dear friends!' Concern is also growing among business leaders. 'The continuing uncertainty alone is devastating for economic and trade relations,' stressed Holger Bingmann, President of the Federation of German Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Services (BGA). Less than three weeks until the possible withdrawal from the EU, fundamental questions regarding customs documents or product registrations were open.
More and more companies are therefore no longer concluding long-term supply contracts. Importers have long been looking for alternative sources of supply to compensate for the possible loss of British suppliers. 'This waiting game has no winners,' Bingmann stressed.French reaction'France regrets today's vote,' the presidential palace said in a statement. But now 'under no circumstances' could one accept an extension of the negotiation period without an alternative, credible British strategy.French Minister for European Affairs said on Twitter 'The EU has given all possible assurances in addition to the withdrawal agreement. We have reached the end of the negotiations on withdrawal because we must protect the interests of Europeans. 'The solution to the current impasse can only be found in London. On our side, we are ready for all scenarios, including that of a Brexit without agreement.'
Opinion:Other EU nationsDutch Prime Minister said in a series of posts on Twitter: 'It is disappointing that the UK government has been unable to ensure a majority for the Withdrawal Agreement agreed by both parties in November, even after multiple additional assurances from the EU. A solution must come from London.' 'Should the UK hand in a reasoned request for an extension, I expect a credible and convincing justification.
The #EU27 will consider the request and decide by unanimity.' Prime Minister of Denmark Lars Lokke Rasmussen said on Twitter: 'Despite clear EU-assurances on the backstop, we now face a chaotic NoDeal Brexit scenario. And time is almost up. We will intensify our NoDeal preparation.' Irish Minister for European Affairs Helen McEntee said a no-deal Brexit would be a lose-lose scenario for everyone. She said no-deal tariffs would be absolutely disastrous for Irish agriculture. The UK has unveiled plans to allow tariff-free imports on 87 percent of goods for 12 months in the event of a no-deal Brexit.Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said avoiding a no-deal Brexit would receive unanimous support from EU leaders.
'I assume that among the EU) heads of government there is the unanimous view that it makes sense to avoid a no-deal scenario.'