From the Press Office Of The Lord Stoddart of Swindon (Independent Labour):
In a surprising answer to a written question from the independent Labour Peer, Lord Stoddart of Swindon (4th February), the Government has rhapsodised about the future of key aspects of the development of the EU under the Romanian Presidency, giving the impression that it is oblivious of the fact that the UK is leaving the EU on 29th March.
Lord Stoddart said: “It seems from this answer that HMG is unaware of the Withdrawal Act which states that the United Kingdom will leave the EU on 29th March or they believe it will never happen. I am most surprised at the eulogistic tone of the answer, which must give rise to the suspicion that ministers and the civil service do not have their hearts in the process of leaving their beloved European Union. From the text of the response, you would have no idea that the UK’s membership of the EU is coming to an end next month and could be forgiven for thinking it is business as usual on 30th March. Do they know something we don’t?”
Responding to Lord Stoddart’s written question (21st January 2019), asking for an assessment of the latest EU Presidency’s priorities and focus, Lord Callanan, for the Government (4th February 2019) wrote at some length about the Government’s commitment to future support for the Romanian Presidency:
‘We welcome the broad theme of cohesion which will underpin the Romanian Presidency’s four planned priority areas. On the priority of Converging Europe, the UK Government welcomes the Presidency’s prioritisation of these proposals and believes in the benefits of an open, flexible market with a regulatory framework that reflects the dynamic nature of the digital economy and increases cross-border e-commerce. On a safer Europe, the UK is unconditionally committed to ensuring European security. We support the Presidency’s desire to implement plans to counter terrorism, deliver on the European Agenda on migration and promote cyber-security.’
The full text of Lord Stoddart’s question and the Government’s answer is as follows:
Question:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the EU General Affairs Council meeting on 8 January, what assessment they have made of the presidency’s priorities and focus on building a more cohesive EU. (HL12996)
Tabled on: 21 January 2019
Answer:
Lord Callanan:
The Government is supporting Romania in its first Presidency of the Council of the European Union. We welcome the broad theme of cohesion which will underpin the Romanian Presidency’s four planned priority areas. On the priority of Converging Europe, the UK Government welcomes the Presidency’s prioritisation of these proposals and believes in the benefits of an open, flexible market with a regulatory framework that reflects the dynamic nature of the digital economy and increases cross-border e-commerce. On a safer Europe, the UK is unconditionally committed to ensuring European security. We support the Presidency’s desire to implement plans to counter terrorism, deliver on the European Agenda on migration and promote cyber-security. On Europe, a stronger global actor, the UK Government looks forward to cooperating with the Presidency on its work with the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership regions. Finally, on a Europe of common values, the UK places great importance in supporting the countering of misinformation.
Date and time of answer: 04 Feb 2019 at 15:18.
In answer to Jim R’s question re the “why and how” of migration, the ecologically welcome low birthrates in Europe are a nightmare for the parasitic employer and landlord classes (and I write as a multiple landlord). In fact, if the population drops too much, walls get built to keep the rest in, as in East Germany, also a parasitic state in its own sweet way.
Correction : Should read “Plus they have fixed it so that a eurosceptic would never get chosen as party leader”.
“Do they know something we don’t?” Is that something the point picked up on by Bill Cash in 29 Jan when he forced May to admit she intended to deceive MP’s into repealing the repeal of 1972 Accession Act , see https://independencedaily.co.uk/your-daily-brexit-friday-1st-february-2019 and comment by Alan Piper?
I would have thought this would have generated more excitement. Despite Alan Piper’s helpful comment I still have trouble figuring out how this will pan out, any views would be helpful.
I have had a gut full of lies, within and without the EU. ….. The EU has provided peace in Europe ! All of us trading together in total peace and happiness ! ….. What a load of total poo !
Those sharp enough to see it, can find very little Brotherly Love in the EU, and my considered opinion is that we are now a witness to the early stages of break up of this Union. It always was, and is an overpriced mode of National conduct, and this Nation needs to be out of it NOW. Just as the people decided in June 2016.- UKIP could make this happen if the people were to wake-up !
I understood Lord Callanan to be a supporter of the UK leaving the EU and wonder if he was aware he’d written to Lord Stoddart in the terms reported – or is it possible the letter was dealt with by a mischievous, remainer ‘civil’ servant.
My husband wrote to our MP a few years ago about a West Midlands hospital but received a reply from the Secretary of State for Health about a hospital in Yorkshire. The reply had been forwarded with a covering letter from our MP or, more likely, his secretary.
More likely a copy-and-paste template reply rather than any honest thought-out response.
“the UK places great importance in supporting the countering of misinformation.”
In other words, a crackdown on those telling the truth and freedom of speech in general, if they were serious about real misinformation, Mrs May would be a good place to start.
“deliver on the European Agenda on migration”. What exactly is that, the bringing into law of the Global Compact on Migration?
Today the Demo rats in the USA, Macron in France, Merkels permanent and unwavering position and now this, all actively calling for mass migration legal or otherwise, can leave no-one in any doubt that we are about to be hit by a disaster of epic proportions unless we, the demos, stop it.
All of the major parties in this country, except UKIP, are on board with this. It has repeated been said that we (Europe and Africa) have shared destinies, our (Europe) survival depends on this migration etc.etc.. Has anyone heard an explanation of why and how?
“Has anyone heard an explanation of why and how?”
Very good point Jim!
“Has the Government forgotten?” Of course not; they don’t intend to leave. We are going to have a fight on our hands or say goodbye to whatever remains of democracy.
You see it clearly. As do I . It will get very nasty very soon.
Of course they don’t intend to leave. The Tories are not going to suddenly turn into a eurosceptic party, its not in their “DNA”. Plus they have fixed it so that a europhile would never get chosen as party leader.
Do you mean “Europhobe”?
Yes slip of pen,I meant europhobe /eurosceptic correction above