Mailwatch(ed) Forum

Do we hold all the cards to rejoin, Ed?

FFS...

That's exactly what he's doing. While getting a 2 for the price of 1 by citing a figure with no credibility at all in terms of what's on offer to oppose tax increases. Actually maybe it's 3 for 1, because he seems to think this provides money now, when the EU have taken 6 months to start negotiations after the May Summit. No criticism of the EU in that, that's just how it works, and was a good reason not to fuck about leaving it.

It's depressing how many people fall for this guff. I don't even understand how Davey's red lines are meaningfully from Starmer's.

What exactly are the Lib Dems redlines.

Well, indeed. Freedom of Movement is one, which rules out the Single Market. I'm sure they're not bothered about shadowing EU rules or accepting some court decisons- luckily nor is Starmer.I assume they'd pay in to the budget- so would Starmer.The difference seems to be like the difference between May and Johnson- Johnson was louder.

Others have observed that there's a view that the Customs Union is like the Single Market but no freedom. This is absolute bollocks.

A delicious irony today. The Lib Dems’ ten minute rule bill entreating the government to renegotiate some sort of Customs Union agreement with the EU was tied on division at 100 votes for and 100 votes against. So the Deputy Speaker passed the motion using the speaker’s casting vote. It’s a ten minute rule bill, so it’s of very little importance and will not affect anything. However, it’s interesting to note that all of the Reform UK MPs present for the division voted against. Farage, as usual, was absent elsewhere. Had he been present for the vote, and voted alongside his collegues, it would have been defeated.

These Liberal Democrats sound like radical, straight talkers. Someone should give them a go in government.

Tubby Isaacs wrote: ↑Wed Dec 24, 2025 11:07 am These Liberal Democrats sound like radical, straight talkers. Someone should give them a go in government.

Good idea. I can't see them going back on their word about anything.

Goldfish are orange...

Here's another chancer who can't be bothered to stand with the Government in an international crisis.

International diplomacy and school playgrounds, famously exactly the same. You might as well say "boxing teaches us that you have to roll with the punches".

Trump's comments about Starmer show 'appeasing a bully never works', Ed Davey says

This is the same guy who was in the Coalition, and could barely stand up to George Osborne? Yet Starmer's supposed to, do what exactly? And it was precisely standing up to Trump on Greenland and the Bored of Peace that's got the latest tariff threat.

This is the same guy who was in the Coalition, and could barely stand up to George Osborne?

A shame Davey wasn't as tough talking with Fujitsu, they're may have been suicidal former post masters enjoying their retirement by now.

I actually sympathized with him on that. He did seek assurances, which is all the Minister can really do.

I'm rapidly changing my view.