Boris Johnson: "we have pressed ahead with this task, resisting all calls for delay, precisely because creating certainty about our future provides the best chance of beating Covid"
Eh?
I'm pretty sure Brexit preceded pandemic but there we are. I would advise, having read extracts from the speech Johnson is to deliver, that people put away sharp objects, bricks etc if they're going to watch the debate. And there is never an excuse for kicking the cat.
Starmer is now savaging (politely) the PM, pointing out lies and inconsistencies. Given he's already whipped Labour MPs to support the bill, I think he's wasting his breath - the result is already settled, the headlines already written.
I have to say that Johnson is performing well: a fake success allied to complete lack of scrutiny has empowered him. He's flinging lies like a monkey flings its own dung.
Theresa May has just had a whine about Labour not backing the deal she negotiated. File under "irrelevant".
Ian Blackford up now, valiantly pointing out more lies and inconsistencies. I disagree with Blackford's comment that Scottish fishing is Johnson's "biggest betrayal" - he's done far worse than that and he doesn't give a toss about a few fishing Sweaties anyway.
Up pops Peter Bottomley: I thought he was dead (soon will be if Lucy Allan has her way). Ever the rebel, he says he's against it but will vote for it.
Sammy Wilson speaks.
Sammy Wilson stops speaking.
Iain Duncan Smith is up. I watch avidly in case this is the day his head explodes through an overdose of self-satisfaction but am disappointed. He says nothing interesting. As ever.
A comment by ERG that I missed: Level playing field clauses "their impact on the practical exercise of sovereignty is likely to be limited if addressed by a robust government."
That means they want us to bomb France in 2022, I think.
Kevin Brennan: Even on the government’s own terms, this deal is a failure. It is a thin deal and a bad deal. He won’t be voting for it.
Hilary Benn welcomes the "absence of tariffs" as well as level playing field and security provisions.
That sound you can hear is father Tony spinning in his grave.
Ellie Reeves will vote for the bill, surprise, surprise. She posted a statement earlier.
https://t.co/iL1CxOg19s
Dame Cheryl Gillan: the UK can once again "control its own destiny", making the UK's departure from the EU a "controlled" one.
Passing the bill will leave the country in a "golden position"
And by the way, services ...
Some light relief: Boris Johnson sitting on the front bench, thinking about pilchards.
Not so light relief - the population is weary.
Mark Francois has quoted Nigel Farage and Braveheart. Nearing peak stupidity now.
Just a reminder, don't be alone with Mark Francois or let him into your home.
David Davis lends us his wisdom. He says we're not just going to have the exact same benefits of membership, we're going to have better than the exact same benefits.
🎵The years have made me bitter, the gargle dims me brain 🎵
Diane Abbott says she will not be voting for the bill, condemns the way the bill is being rushed through parliament. Harsh criticism of how the deal limits UK access to EU databases accessed by the police.
Damian Green, one hand in trouser pocket, says he'll vote Aye because it's better than no deal and even though (paraphrasing) it's bad and has huge holes.
Sheryll Murray pops up to mention fish, soberly. No one's listening at this point as the sound of lunch preparation echoes through the Slough of Parliament.
Barry Sheerman says he will vote for the deal which is "much better" than he expected.
File under "Very Low Bar".
Meaningful meaningless proceedings winding down. Summary:
It's a great deal (it isn't)
It's a bad deal but better than no deal (it isn't)
We can do fish, services and security at some time in the future (we can't, adequately)
Chargrilled ribeye steak on the menu, £9.19
Only interest in the vote is which Labour MPs will abstain or vote Nay (and how Starmer will react).
Johnson to do a press conf at 5pm (5:20 as he's a very important chap).
Thank you for reading as my brains dribble out of the hole I made banging my head against the desk.
