Invite this bloke to take tea with the Queen…
…and refuse entry to this bloke.
Great Brutish Christian Values, Amber? “Suffer the little children to come unto me”?
You’re a total bloody embarrassment, Rudd. Thank god you are not Scottish.
Tag: Donald Trump
TAKE THAT, MAY
Who wouldn’t take Kate’s picture and make lots of money if she does the nude sunbathing thing. Come on Kate!
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Theresa May would have done well, as we may have mentioned before, to resist the temptation to dash to Washington before Donald Trump had found out where the bathroom was in the White House. Her undue haste showed her to be inexperienced and desperate by comparison with her more knowledgeable and mature counterparts across the world.
Inviting Trump to have a state visit in the first week of his presidency, given his reputation for faux pas was nothing short of moronic. It is normal for a state visit not to be arranged until some time, a least a couple of years, has passed.
Trump has apparently made a list of conditions to his visit. Reportedly he wants to play a round of golf at Balmoral on the queen’s private course with her watching. Additionally, he has allegedly warned Prince Charles not to lecture him about green matters, unless he wants a fiery response. He wants to meet and have a photo opportunity with Kate and William and their children, just like Obama did.
But the above tweet, dating from 2012, may have put the kybosh on that plan. The tweet related to photographs taken of Middleton sunbathing nude in the south of France that year when she and Willie were on yet another holiday
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“Kate Middleton is great – but she shouldn’t be sunbathing in the nude – only herself to blame,” he additionally tweeted.
Also, the petition to deny him the State visit, now probably the largest ever on the London government’s website, has topped 1.8 million signatures and today the Speaker of the House of Commons took the extraordinary step of making a statement in the House saying that he would not invite Trump to speak in parliament. The state visit, he said, was a matter to be agreed “well above the pay grade of the Speaker” (although as he is the most senior commoner in England, I’m not sure that there IS anyone above his pay grade), but, speaking in parliament was something that was an honour, not a right, and it had to be earned. Normally an invitation to speak would be issued by both Speakers (Commons and Lords). Bercow’s statement was greeted with cheers from sections of the House, and clapping by the SNP, who this time were not told off. Denis Skinner rose to say “Well done”.
I can only imagine Mayhem is fuming. All that creeping just to be smacked down by Bercow. The whole thing is becoming a massive embarrassment.
I wonder if her rush to meet with two other deplorables, Erdogan and Netanyahu, will come back to bite her as swiftly. Hardly any wonder decent heads of government snubbed her in Malta.
MORE ABOUT TRUMP AND THE PETITION…
Sorry to go on about the same subject two days in a row, but with reference to the petition, it seems that May has caved on her original dismissal of the proposal that the “state” part of the visit should be dropped and the affair be made a working visit between May and Trump. With nearing 1,750,000 (where only 100,000 are required for a debate) it has been agreed that there will, indeed, be a debate.
“Parliament will debate this petition on 20 February 2017.
Of course, there is no earthly way that the state visit would or could be downgraded. We all know that. No matter what p[oliticians say. A bit like Article 50 debate. The outcome is certain. The state visit will go ahead.
The invitation came from the queen (even if it didn’t) and for the queen to insult the head of state of the country that May desperately needs to court will simply never happen…even if one and three quarter million taxpayers (and rising) don’t want it to happen and don’t want the massive amount of cash that these things cost to be wasted on a billionaire nut job with an orange face.
Certainly not while there are kids going to school with empty stomachs, people being sent home from jobcentres, told they are fit to work and dying on the way home, folk dying on trolleys in A&E after waiting for 48 hours to see an exhausted doctor, and ex-military folk begging for food in food banks along with another million and a half citizens…sorry, subjects. Whatever, the state visit will happen. And they will load on the pomp and glittery stuff, because they know that the small minded, orange boyman with the fragile ego likes it, nay loves it. Give him goldy glittery stuff and he will give you a trade deal on his terms. You won’t like it (especially not the secret courts which will make the European courts look welcoming), but it will look like Tessy Mayhem hasn’t failed quite so badly.
But you can bet your life Trump knows about this petition, the demonstrations and the debate. He’ll probably be in denial, of course. The people out there were protesting FOR him, not against him and there have never been so many people protesting FOR anything in the history of the universe. Whatever fairytale boy. It’s bed time. Who knows if there will be repercussion for May.
Frankly, I doubt if the queen or her son will worry about that. They are perfectly at home with some of the most vicious detestable dictators in the world. They’ll probably find his lack of stiff upper lip manners rather distasteful, his brashness disconcerting and his hair laughable. I wonder if he slurps his soup. However, they are getting the best part of half a billion pounds from the state to do up one of their houses, so they can get over themselves and get on with it, with Charlie, biting his lip all the while on Green issues which Donald thinks are a Chinese plot to bring down the West. Whatever the big orange thing wants, Charlie. Just agree with him. Afterwards, you can scream.
And all this was so avoidable…
OH DEAR, OH DEAR, OH DEAR
Change of heart there, then, Mick? I mean something that was unconstitutional at the end of 2015 can’t have become constitutional by the beginning of 2017, unless there has been a change in the constitution. Has there?
Maybe instead of banning Muslims from countries that Trump Enterprises doesn’t do business with, you could try banning Americans, or maybe guns? Even armed toddlers seem to be more of a menace than Jihadists.
Wish we had an alternative administration. One with a brain cell or two would be nice.
Right, I think, but, oooops, that’s your bosses new best friend ever!
An orange and gold angel?
What was she thinking of?
Remember when David Cameron, in the job only a matter of weeks and green as a cabbage, headed off to Egypt to proclaim the Arab Spring and associate himself with the Egyptian revolution? The first Western leader to do so. Indeed the only Western leader to do so. Well, as a matter of fact, the only leader anywhere to do so. How did that end? Egg a plenty splashed all over his coupon, that’s how!
So, given how volatile we all know the American president can be, and given the tone of some of his campaign promises, why oh why did this woman, herself hardly experienced in running the country, take herself off to grovel to him before she studied him a little more carefully?
Easy. She needed the promise of a trade deal from him. Doesn’t much matter what trade deal, just a trade deal, any trade deal. And she threw in a promise. At this stage! Can you believe this? The most frightening aspect of TTIP, which had been being negotiated with the USA by the EU, the access of American companies to our health services, seems to have been incorporated into her proposed deal.
I note wiser and more experienced heads have been much more cautious in their approach.
And now, of course, she’s lumbered herself with a state visit… and rumour has it that Donald wants the whole thing. State banquet at Windsor, golf at Balmoral. All the tra la la that the Brits can offer, in spades. Trouble is that it is being met with a considerable amount of opposition from ordinary Brits. An online petition against a State visit, on the government site has, at the time of writing, reached an incredible 1,378,000 signatures. And the number is rising at about 1,000 a minute.
According to the rules, a petition that gets 100,000 signatures is given consideration for a debate in parliament. May already dismissed this petition on its first day (again a foolish thing to do). It will be interesting how far she is prepared to ignore a substantial public voice. And tonight, all over the UK there are protests planned. Will she ignore them too?
Furthermore, when the state visit comes, is she ready for the demonstrations that will greet him everywhere? And how will she deal with them? Water cannon?
The trouble for her is that Hell hath no fury like a Trump scorned. Ask Alex Salmond who went from being the best politician in the world to the devil incarnate, almost overnight. I’m betting that there are times she wishes she’d let Andrea Whatever she’s called, the unknown fox hunter person, win. It would have been her nightmare then.
Update: Glasgow Anti-Trump.
Petition currently at 1,450,000 7.10
Update II: Edinburgh
Update III: Dundee
Update IV: Parliament
Update V: This is fun
It appears that the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary is displeased about comparisons being made between Trump and Hitler. Mr Maugham points out a small flaw in this thought process:
Jo Maugham QC @JolyonMaugham 3 hours ago
Jo Maugham QC Retweeted Ian Dunt
What, like Boris himself did when talking about François Hollande and “punishment beatings” in a “World War two movie”?
Take that, Boris.
Update VI: Aberdeen
ERM, YEAH…HOW EMBARRASSING
Embarrassing: Because Mrs May is fond reminding us that she is a Christian. Mr Cameron reminded us that we were a Christian country. The Queen apparently lives her entire life according to the teachings of Christ. Maybe a bit of bible study would be in order.
Embarrassing: Because, “Take my hand”, she sings, “I’m a stranger in Paradise.” Kismet?
Embarrassing: Because….eugh, no comment! I feel sick.
Embarrassing: Because the NYT has figures which prove that subscribers and audience at all-time high:
.@realDonaldTrump Fact check: @nytimes subscribers & audience at all-time highs. Supporting independent journalism matters.
Embarrassing: Guys, this is the 21st century! You’re old men, not children. Stop playing at fancy dress parties and get a bloody job.
Embarrassing: Didn’t their very first manifesto make it a matter of priority to get rid of the House of Lords?
Embarrassing: Just how heartless and thoughtless and downright bloody wicked was it to harass this lad?
Embarrassing: Theresa May has just signed a £100 million deal to provide President Erdoğan’s government with fighter jets. President Erdoğan has an appalling record on human rights and is seeking ever more powers. It seems only a short time ago when Westminster was warning against Turkey being allowed anywhere near the EU. They are becoming as inconsistent as Trump.
Embarrassing: Because this moron once tweeted something to the effect that his parents hadn’t come to ‘this great country’ so that their way of life could be ruined by immigrants. Dufus or what? But amusingly, I see that part of the 2,000-mile wall that he’s going to build runs through territory “given” to native Americans. The Tohono O’odham Nation have a border with Mexico which they cross regularly to meet with friends and family who live in Mexico. They have stated quite clearly that they will not allow the wall to be built on their territory. A war with a native American tribe would be all sorts of embarrassing for Dumbo. But a wall with a 75 mile gap in it would be completely useless. A little research before he made his vow might have saved him.
ARTICLE 50 BILL IS PUBLISHED
And, if you value your health service, vote for independence
First: Taken from the Guardian
Overview of the Bill
1 The European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill (“the Bill”) has 2 clauses. A summary of, and background to, the Bill is provided below.
2 The Bill would give the Prime Minister power to notify the European Council of the United Kingdom’s intention to withdraw from the European Union.
Policy background
3 The European Union Referendum Act 2015 (section 1) provided for the question of whether the United Kingdom should remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union to be put to a referendum. That referendum took place on 23 June 2016. A majority of those who voted in the referendum voted in favour of the United Kingdom leaving the European Union.
4 On 2 October 2016 the Prime Minister announced that the Government would commence the formal process of leaving the European Union before the end of March 2017.
Legal background
5 The procedure for withdrawing from the European Union is set out in Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union (‘TEU’). The first step in the procedure is for the Member State that has decided to withdraw to notify the European Council of its intention (Article 50(2)).
6 In R (on the application of Miller and Dos Santos) v Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union [2017] UKSC 5 the Supreme Court considered whether it would be inconsistent with the terms of the European Communities Act 1972 for the Prime Minister to give notice to the European Union, under Article 50(2) of the Treaty of the European Union, of the United Kingdom’s intention to withdraw from the EU Treaties, without a prior Act of Parliament. In an 8-3 judgment the Supreme Court concluded that a prior Act of Parliament is required. This Bill provides the Prime Minister with the necessary power to give notice of withdrawal under Article 50(2).
7 The Supreme Court also considered arguments relating to the devolution acts and whether consent of the devolved administrations is required before notice to withdraw can be served. The unanimous decision of the court was that EU and other foreign affairs matters are reserved to the UK Government and Parliament and that the devolved legislatures do not have a veto on the UK’s decision to withdraw from the EU.
Territorial extent and application
8 This Bill extends, and applies in relation to, England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. NOTE FROM MUNGUIN: WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO GIBRALTAR?
9 The Bill does not contain any provision which gives rise to the need for a legislative consent motion in the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales or the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Fast-track legislation
10 The Government intends to ask Parliament to expedite the parliamentary progress of this Bill. In their report on Fast-track Legislation: Constitutional Implications and Safeguards, the House of Lords Select Committee on the Constitution recommended that the Government should provide more information as to why a piece of legislation should be fast-tracked.
Why is fast-tracking necessary?
11 The judgment of 24 January 2017 required the Government to complete an additional (and unexpected) step before the formal process of leaving the European Union can commence. Completing this step through the normal Bill timetable would cause considerable delay to commencing the formal exit process, making it impossible to do so before the end of March 2017. This would further generate uncertainty as to the timetable for our exit from the European Union.
What efforts have been made to ensure the amount of time made available for parliamentary scrutiny has been maximised?
12 The Bill is being published on the same day it is introduced and arrangements are being made for amendments to be accepted in advance of second reading in the House of Commons.
Does the Bill include a sunset clause (as well as any appropriate renewal procedure)? If not, why do the Government judge that their inclusion is not appropriate?
13 Due to the nature and content of the Bill, it does not include a sunset clause.
Are mechanisms for effective post-legislative scrutiny and review in place? If not, why do the Government judge that their inclusion is not appropriate?
14 The impact of the Bill itself will be both clear and limited, therefore mechanisms for post legislative scrutiny are not necessary.
Has an assessment been made as to whether existing legislation is sufficient to deal with any or all of the issues in questions?
15 An assessment has been undertaken and existing legislation is not sufficient to give notice under Article 50(2) TEU.
Have the relevant Parliamentary committees been given the opportunity to scrutinise the legislation?
16 Given the need to introduce legislation as quickly as possible, it has not been possible to formally discuss with Parliamentary Committees.
Commentary on provisions of Bill
Clause 1: Power to notify withdrawal
17 Clause 1(1) provides power for the Prime Minister to notify the European Council of the United Kingdom’s intention to withdraw from the European Union.
18 The power that is provided by clause 1(1) applies to withdrawal from the EU. This includes the European Atomic Energy Community (‘Euratom’), as the European Union (Amendment) Act 2008 sets out that the term “EU” includes (as the context permits or requires) Euratom (section 3(2)).
19 Clause 1(2) provides that the powers in clause 1(1) are conferred regardless of any restrictions which may arise from any other legislation, including the European Communities Act 1972.
Clause 2: Short title
20 Clause 2 confirms the intended short title of the Act.
Commencement
21 Commencement would be on Royal Assent.
Financial implications of the Bill
22 The Bill is not expected to have any financial implications.
Parliamentary approval for financial costs or for charges imposed
23 No money resolution is required.
Compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights
24 It is considered that the provisions of the Bill are compatible with the Convention rights.
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From the same page in the Guardian, I noticed this piece. May was, at the time of writing, winging her way across the Atlantic to do some heavy duty grovelling to Trump. Polly Toynbee wrote:
On her flight, she should read [Trump’s] obnoxious book, The Art of the Deal, where the other guy is always shafted. Sure, he’ll promise a deal and she’ll come home pretending triumph. But in hammering out the terms, detail by detail, we shall eat humble pie made of genetically modified, hormone-injected meat. Our City of London, our public services, our NHS risk being devoured by predatory US companies, with any resistance adjudicated by a US trade court far more onerous than the shared European court of justice she derides.
So in the next few days we shall see the hard right Tory press lauding her up hill and down dale, because Trump, who appears to loathe the EU and all it stands for, is giving her her red carpet treatment including a joint press conference (I wonder if Tessa will find that embarrassing). Doubtless, the promise of a deal will be made. But in the ‘America First’ world of Dumbo Trump, we all know that’s not going to end well..at least not for us.
Still, who needs a heath service?
WHO EVER THOUGHT MUNGUIN WOULD REPOST JOHN MAJOR?
Amazing how, when they no longer have to obey the whip and say what they are told to say, they seem to get so much brighter…and so much more honest.
Talking of stupid, I read on Twitter (maybe someone can confirm it) that Boris has said if Scotland gets independence he will rebuild Hadrian’s Wall. Now, I know Boris is a buffoon, but I’d have thought that, with his education, he might have known that Hadrian’s Wall is in England. Is he intending to cede part of his country to us?
Finally, this is not really connected at all, but Niko sent me this on the last thread and you may not have seen it. It’s hilarious.
I had an inauguration party, but no one much turned up…
Do you think it’s my hair? Or the fact that my face is Orange? Or I got my decoration tips from Liberace
On the other hand, just imagine if it had been Jeb Bush that had won. He didn’t exactly know how to pack ’em in now, did he?
Still, he is brighter than his idiot brother, who couldn’t even handle the plastic mac thing and keep the rain off. Food on his family and a plastic bag over his head. Jeeez.
GOLDFINGER AND HIS HOUSE ELF
I’ve decided that what happened was that I fell asleep about 6 months ago and I’ve been having a dreadful dream in which the president of the United States is an orange-faced moron (thank Danny for that one), who’s given an interview to a someone who isn’t a journalist, but some sort of a politician.
At the same time, a fashion model with trousers that cost 20% of a retirement pension, has become the unbelievably inept prime minister of the UK.
Please tell me that when I wake up everything will we well with the world and that the above picture is a publicity shot for the next Mr Universe contest.
TRUMP EXPLAINED IN A THREE-BOX CARTOON
NOW, HOW CAN WE EXPLAIN BREXIT?
What happened was that Americans were fed up with the way their country was run (a bit like the Brits were) as you can see in the first picture.
So, unlike in the UK, it is possible to change that. Shake a stick at it (see second box of cartoon), by electing someone from the left field (OK, in this case, the right field). Someone totally different; someone with no Washington DC experience, Senate or House; someone with no State experience, Governor, or local government; someone with no military or legal experience.
Someone, in fact, with the world’s weirdest hair. Someone who is Orange and lives in a Las Vegas-like tower of glitter and gold. Someone who makes Liberace’s taste look cultivated. Someone who is racist, sexist and pokes fun at people who are disabled. Someone who despises gay people brags he can get off with any woman, and sends himself congratulatory tweets before he’s even in the job.
There, that should do it, or not, as you can see in the third box of the cartoon.
In the UK, Scots had the courage to throw out a lot of dead wood. People who had been lurking around the back benches for years, getting fatter by the day, and some who thought to stride the world stage as statesmen, mighty leaders. And they replaced them with lawyers, doctors, surgeons, estate agents, all brand new to this House of Commoners lark… and threw in a rookie 21 year old who had to get a day off for graduation and turned out to be a star.
On the other hand, England decided that Ed Miliband looked a bit of a dick when he was eating a bacon sandwich and voted instead for a man who actually was a bit of a dick, who thought that really all that mattered was standing up straight, wearing a good suit, doing up one’s tie and singing lustily “God Save the Queen”. A man who was so conceited he thought he could talk Joe and Jo Soap into voting for the EU, after he and his ilk had spent the last 40 years blaming everything that went wrong on that very thing, with the help of their odious mates in the gutter press. A man who failed, however, to convince people, and having done so, slid out the back door and off to make a fortune following Blair round the world selling himself like an exclusive rent-boy in a good suit and straight tie singing “God Save the Queen”.
And thanks to him we have the singularly inept “Mayhem” of a prime minister, leading a bunch of third raters and, with probably the most momentous thing to happen in the UK since WWII about to befall us, she has placed our futures in the hands of a clown and a couple of mindless drips with no understanding of…well, anything.
I dunno who is worse off.
MUNGUIN'S NEW REPUBLIC 