Re: When Democracy Died.
You know me, Shropshire Girl, I agree with all your posts and this one is no exception.
Meanwhile in the EU, if you think there is unity, peace and constructive dialogue then think again. When powerful nations leave treaties there are always power struggles to fill the void thats left by the parting nation and the the EU is no exception.
Here we have, behind the scenes an almighty power struggle with France prepared to throw Ireland and Germany under the bus to grab power away from Merkel by going for a no-deal Brexit. (By vetoing the extension) This would hit Germany (in recession) really hard and Ireland, who Germany (and the UK) bailed out about 10 years ago even harder. This would give France the financial and economic upper hand in the EU and try and take Germanys crown - especially when there are UK MEP Parliamentary seats up for grabs, bringing them closer and closer to Merkels shoulders rather than riding on her coat tails as France has done for all these years.
On the other hand, there is recession hit Germany (and its emissions scandal and bankrupt Deutsche Bank) - who knows what France are up to and to avoid the financial disaster of a no-deal Brexit, it is adamant that "Only Northern Ireland remaining in the customs union would prevent a no-deal"...
... Or in other words - Germany are desperate now for Mays Withdrawal Bill as its the only thing that will avoid the no-deal Macron is now going for that would cause enormous damage to Germanys economy (and Holland incidentally).
Meanwhile in Ireland, Varadkar, who has been grandstanding in front of the UK, Germany and France has so far let the EU guide him on his position, his little voice from his bankrupt, bailed out, tin pot country saying big words at the big boys table, only to find that now, between the UK, Germany and France he has backed himself into a corner with only the following outcomes ...
Macron - no deal = Ireland gets thrown under the bus with Germany (and Holland) - (it's in his interest to veto the Benn extension incidentally)
Merkel - want's Mays deal which won't fly - so Ireland and Germany (and Holland) get thrown under the bus
Boris new backstop - won't fly so its no deal and Ireland gets thrown under the bus with Germany
Barnier - A "Good Deal" ! which means Germany and France are OK and Ireland gets thrown under the bus (think NI outside the customs union with FTA between USA and EU plus Switz, South Korea, Australia, Canada and New Zealand). This leaves Germany once more to bail out the mess in Ireland just like it did before, but this time, without the help from the UK. This is one Merkel can choke on all on her own
Their last saving grace is for the "grandstanding 3", Varadkar, Merkel and Macron to stare each other down and pray that their collusion with the remainers in Parliament over the Benn Bill forces an extension and they can breathe for another 3 months while they plot another betrayal against their own people in the UK.
... but there seems to be a big problem with the Benn Bill ... and they are getting very twitchy, especially as the UK has just announced 88% of our imports will be tarriff free in a no-deal Brexit, 46 trade agreements are ready to sign, the Calais border will remain fully functional and the 27 slip further and further into recession.
The people will be coming for Parliament soon, judgement day is not far away .... Remember, the 27 have voters too and what were they told by their unelected leaders ?
... there will be a 2nd referendum and the UK will stay
... we will punish the UK and they will pay !
... the UK will sign the withdrawal agreement and will be non-voting members of the EU forever
... the UK will be prevented from leaving.
Well, the people of the 27 will have some serious questions of their own soon....