I used to think Johnson was reckless but essentially rational. Now I'm not sure. I'm beginning to think he's certifiably insane. His new proposals are a joke. His senior advisor is a psychopath. The IFS yesterday said Johnson's key policy will raise government borrowing to £100 billion a year and HMRC said business (both EU and UK) would be burdened by additional red tape to the tune of £15 billion every year.
Politicians on both sides, including Johnson himself, continue to insists a deal is still possible with Leo Varadkar only saying a deal will be 'very difficult' although he plans to meet Johnson for what are described as 'crunch talks'.
I think Johnson's deal is dead, if it was ever alive to begin with. It is so absurd as to be a waste of time discussing it. The only deal is May's deal with perhaps some very minor modifications - a time limit to the backstop has been mooted - agreed at the summit. Even this is highly unlikely since Johnson would have to make a spectacular U-turn and his own side would never forgive him.
So, an extension will probably be needed which he will reluctantly be forced to ask for.
On Newsnight last night David Sassoli, the newly installed head of the European Parliament was interviewed by Emily Maitliss. It is about 5 minutes and I urge you to watch it. Sassoli looks like a statesman. He met our excuse of a prime minister yesterday and describes Johnson's plan as a "fantasy" and says he urged him to provide proposals that are "feasible and credible" to protect businesses and citizens in the UK and the EU.
The key bit comes towards the end where he talks about European unity and how he never foresaw after the fall of the Berlin wall 30 years ago that we would now be dividing and he describes this an historic moment "for which each person will be held to account" and because the "consequences of these actions cannot be foreseen". I hope he said this to Johnson.
Johnson told Sassoli "repeatedly" that we were leaving on October 31st deal or no deal despite it (a) being against the law and (b) him giving a solemn undertaking to a Scottish court that he would abide by the law. Another ruling, this time from Scotland's most senior judges is expected at 11:00 this morning by the way.
Sassoli released a statement after his meeting which begins:
“I have just had a meeting with Prime Minister Johnson. I came here in the confident hope of hearing proposals that could take negotiations forward. However, I must note that there has been no progress.
“As you know, a deal between the EU and UK requires not only a positive meaningful vote of the House of Commons, but also the European Parliament’s approval.
“It is therefore important that the UK Prime Minister hears directly from the European Parliament on its approach to Brexit. I am grateful to Mr Johnson for giving me that opportunity.
“Our approach is very straightforward. We think an orderly Brexit, the UK leaving with a deal, is by far the best outcome. The deal that we thought had been agreed with the UK last year was a text the EP could have supported. It resolved all the issues associated with the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. It provided certainty for citizens and businesses. It looked forward to a close future EU-UK relationship. As things stand, it remains the best possible agreement.
“As I explained to Mr Johnson, the Parliament will not agree to a deal at any price. We will not agree to a deal that undermines the Good Friday Agreement and the peace process or compromise the integrity of our single market. This we made plain in our resolution adopted with a huge majority in September.
“We have examined the UK proposals to replace the original backstop and our response is that these are a long way from something to which the Parliament could agree. In addition, they are not immediately operable."
It is a reminder that there are two democratic bodies which are beyond Johnson's or Cummings' control.
Hilary Benn also appeared on Newsnight alongside Lord Lilley (who seems to get dafter as he gets older) and Benn was pressed on what parliament was going to do about the prime minister's constant threats to thwart the law and he said we would have to "wait and see". Let us hope there are a few good men left who can take control away from the lunatics in No 10.
I also used to think I understood the nation I have lived in all my life but now I realise I don't. This article in Conservative Woman: At least no-deal will leave Irish eyes smarting has genuinely shocked me. Paul Wood, a member of the Brexit party writes, "No deal will hurt everyone, but it is a consolation that it will hurt the Irish Republic more than any other country." He doesn't seem to know or believe that the UK will be worst hit but what 'consolation' is it to hurt your smaller neighbour?
For the Brexit party winning or losing is not enough you have to hurt somebody as well.
Surely, this is what we are fighting against? It's a fight we must win for if we lose, the kind and generous nation we used to know and love will be gone forever.
