| Topic: | Budget Day in Brexitlandia | |
| Posted by: | Huw Burford-Taylor | |
| Date/Time: | 22/11/17 17:31:00 |
| Welcome to Budget Day in Brexitlandia - it is Wednesday - a lot has happened already this week. Just as a reminder, the Government voted down an amendment last night that would preserve the European Charter of Human Rights. I understand this is because like animals, humans in Britain are not sentient. Dominic Raab the Injustice Minister reassured the House that there was no need to protect this in law because Wetherspoon's were going to print some new beermats with some suitable wording. Indeed Wetherspoon's is planning a recruitment drive because it senses a Brexit opportunity with people potentially becoming unemployed in the space industry. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42065836 It is not yet confirmed that London locations of the EMA and EBA have been bought out by Wetherspoons in the hope the EMA/EBA staff decide moving buildings is too much and they would prefer to work in an environment where no music, fun or hope is allowed. Meanwhile the investigation into spending by the Vote Leave is receiving more attention thanks to Jolyon Maugham https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/nov/22/vote-leave-funding-democracy-electoral-commission?CMP=share_btn_tw It is unclear whether the Injustice Minister is remotely bothered by this. But given the idea of Brexit was to take back control of our sovereignty and our democracy, it would be hilarious if in fact it turned out that was a load of old bollocks. And that really some MPs abused electoral laws by exploiting loopholes that go against their number one duty as an MP (which is to act in the nation's interest) for some ulterior motive. For example Liam Byrne has questioned the role Legatum has with Government. It would appear they are disaster capitalists masquerading as "free traders" and they do seem to have a high level of influence within Government. It would be quite some coincidence if there were any links between Legatum and any MPs who helped Vote Leave "circumnavigate" the referendum spending rules. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/brexit-minister-dragged-into-vote-leave-spending-row-hh7g0p7h5 While we wait for the budget, just a reminder that the OBR (whose figures are endorsed by the Government) predicts a £60billion hit to public finances over 5 years. So Phil has £700m on Brexit preparations and £3 billion on contingency planning. If we add to that the OBR predicted shortfall of £60 billion in tax revenues and a potential £40 - 60 billion divorce bill that is quite a lot of money. Let's say it does come to £123 billion or so. We are going to need a bigger Magic Money Tree. Eurotunnel is being rebranded Getlink. It was meant to be called Gitelink but as FOM will stop for UK owners of French property they had to call it something else. I understand the "Get" in "Getlink" is short for "Go European Traitors" and will be used to deport all those who voted remain. It would be funny if it was not for the fact the wider European and World economy is on the up. On a final note, the good news is the NHS is getting an extra £2.8billion. Still less than the Brexit contingency fund (3bn). Still I am sure when any of us are next waiting at A & E or at the GPs we will be able to spend the time thinking about how sovereignty is good for us. We spend £3 billion per budget on brexit, let's spend it on the NHS instead. |