Prime Minister Johnson to declare Britain can end 'the groundhoggery of Brexit'

[webfact]

Prime Minister Johnson to declare Britain can end 'the groundhoggery of Brexit'

By Andrew MacAskill

 

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends a National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph in Westminster, London, Britain, November 10, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville

 

LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will on Wednesday declare that the UK can "end the groundhoggery of Brexit" if he wins next month's election, saying the rest of the world was wondering why so much time has been spent agonising over whether to leave the European Union.

 

Britons will vote on Dec. 12 after parliament agreed to an early election, seeking to end three years of deep disagreement over Brexit that has sapped investors' faith in the stability of the world's fifth largest economy and damaged Britain's international standing.

 

"The UK is admired and respected around the world but people are baffled by our debate on Brexit and they cannot understand how this great country can squander so much time and energy on this question and how we can be so hesitant about our future," Johnson will say at an electric vehicle manufacturer in the West Midlands, according to prepared remarks.

 

"If we can get a working majority we can get parliament working for you, we can get out of the rut. We can end the groundhoggery of Brexit," Johnson said in an apparent reference to the 1993 movie Groundhog Day in which a TV weatherman finds himself reliving the same day over and over again.

 

Johnson, 55, hopes to win a majority to push through the last-minute Brexit deal he struck with the European Union last month after the bloc granted a third delay to the divorce that was originally supposed to take place on March 29. Most voters who took part in a June 2016 referendum voted in favour of the UK leaving the EU.

 

The first December election in Britain since 1923 will be one of the hardest to forecast in years. Brexit has scrambled voters' traditional loyalties and is giving smaller rivals a chance to challenge the two biggest parties, Johnson's Conservative Party and the left-of-centre Labour Party led by Jeremy Corbyn.

 

Opinion polls show the Conservatives are well ahead of Labour, but analysts caution the overshadowing issue of Brexit, which has divided both major parties and their voters, could confound conventional calculations.

 

Johnson will urge voters to back the Conservatives and say that if Labour is elected, they face the prospect of two more referendums, one on Britain's membership of the EU, and another on Scottish independence, which risks ripping apart the United Kingdom.

 

"We face a historic choice. At this election the country can either move forwards with policies that will deliver years of growth and prosperity, or it can disappear into an intellectual cul-de-sac of far left Corbynism," Johnson will say.

 

"We can honour the wishes of the people, or else we can waste more time."

 

(Reporting by Andrew MacAskill; editing by Grant McCool)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-11-13

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[webfact]

Chances of no-deal Brexit fall as PM Johnson's hopes rise -Reuters poll

By Jonathan Cable

 

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson attends a National Service of Remembrance at The Cenotaph in Westminster, London, Britain, November 10, 2019. REUTERS/Toby Melville

 

LONDON (Reuters) - The chances of a no-deal Brexit fell in the last month because UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson looks set to win a Dec. 12 election and secure the backing in parliament he needs to get his new Withdrawal Agreement passed, a Reuters poll found.

 

The median probability of a disorderly Brexit, where no deal is agreed, dropped to 20% in the Nov. 8-12 Reuters poll of economists from 30% in October, the lowest since a poll taken in May soon after the EU granted another delay to Britain's departure.

 

"Brexit headwinds have dissipated as the threat of no-deal in October passed and the Brexit deadline was pushed out again. The focus has clearly shifted to the UK election campaign," said Victoria Clarke, an economist at Investec.

 

Giving Johnson his biggest boost of the election campaign, Nigel Farage's Brexit Party on Monday pulled out of contesting 317 seats held by the ruling Conservatives in a bid to prevent opponents of Brexit controlling parliament.

 

That may help give Johnson a parliamentary majority in the Dec. 12 election and allow him to deliver on the June 2016 referendum result to take Britain out of the European Union.

 

Johnson's Conservative Party edged further ahead of the opposition Labour Party during the past week, a public opinion poll by ICM showed on Monday.

 

A large majority of economists said - as they have in all Reuters polls since the 2016 referendum - that London and Brussels would eventually agree a free trade deal.

 

The second most likely scenario was again for Britain to remain a member of the European Economic Area, which would mean paying into the EU budget to retain access to the Single Market but having no say over policies.

 

Third spot was the more extreme option of leaving without a deal and trading under World Trade Organization rules. As in most Reuters polls, last place went to Brexit being cancelled.

 

RECESSION RISKS RECEDE

Britain's departure from the EU has been delayed three times, causing huge uncertainty among investors and consumers as there was - and still is - no clear indication as to how, when, or even if the two sides will finally divorce.

 

Uncertainty is likely to continue even if Johnson wins the election and there is an orderly exit in January as he faces another deadline at the end of 2020 to hammer out a new trade deal with the EU, economists said.

 

The economy grew at its slowest annual pace in nearly a decade during the three months through September as the global slowdown and Brexit worries hit manufacturing and business investment, official figures showed on Monday.

 

(Reuters Poll: Probability of disorderly Brexit - https://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/polling/1/632/628/Disorderly Brexit.png) 

The economy will barely expand in the fourth quarter, growing just 0.2%, the poll found. Growth is then forecast to accelerate to 0.3%-0.4% per quarter until the middle of 2021.

 

In 2019, the economy will expand 1.2% but growth will slow to 1.0% next year, the wider poll of almost 70 economists found.

 

With a no-deal Brexit less likely, the chances of a recession also fell, the poll found. They were pegged at 25% for a recession in the next 12 months, down from 30% previously, and 30% for one in the next two years, reduced from 35%.

 

Last week, the Bank of England nudged up its growth forecasts. But two of the Bank's policymakers voted to cut rates and others could follow if growth remains weak and uncertainty about Britain's longer-term trade ties with the EU persists.

 

According to median forecasts, the Bank Rate will sit at its current 0.75% through to the second half of 2021 when the Monetary Policy Committee will add 25 basis points - although more than a handful of economists polled by Reuters have a cut pencilled into their forecasts.

 

"For now, we think the Bank of England will probably avoid cutting interest rates in the near term although a lot depends on Brexit and whether the jobs market deteriorates further," said James Smith, developed markets economist at ING.

 

Britain's employers cut more jobs from July to September than in any quarter for four years, according to official data, highlighting how the labour market is slowing as the election nears.

 

(Polling by Sarmista Sen and Khushboo Mittal; Editing by Ross Finley and David Clarke)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-11-13

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[evadgib]

In time history will show that both extensions were illegal, as were the actions of the hobbit & co in the chamber for the last 3 years.

 

Cameron should have fired the starting gun on day one. Lets hope others benefit from UK's very public & completely avoidable ballsup.

[Chomper Higgot]

The inveterate liar Johnson comes out of hiding from sixth form school children to make more of his ‘trust me gov no need to lift the bonnet’ promises.

 

Meanwhile pick your poll:

 

https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/labour-within-six-points-of-conservatives-in-dramatic-poll-shift-1-6371974

 

 

 

[JonnyF]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

"The UK is admired and respected around the world but people are baffled by our debate on Brexit and they cannot understand how this great country can squander so much time and energy on this question and how we can be so hesitant about our future," Johnson will say at an electric vehicle manufacturer in the West Midlands, according to prepared remarks.

Couldn't agree more.

 

History will not be kind to the anti-democrats trying to overturn the will of the people for 3 years. A shameful episode in Parliamentary history.

[evadgib]

8 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The inveterate liar Johnson comes out of hiding from sixth form school children to make more of his ‘trust me gov no need to lift the bonnet’ promises.

 

Meanwhile pick your poll:

 

https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/labour-within-six-points-of-conservatives-in-dramatic-poll-shift-1-6371974

Hmmmm alright then if you insist.

[Baerboxer]

2 hours ago, evadgib said:

In time history will show that both extensions were illegal, as were the actions of the hobbit & co in the chamber for the last 3 years.

 

Cameron should have fired the starting gun on day one. Lets hope others benefit from UK's very public & completely avoidable ballsup.

 

Don't think so. History is unlikely to regard your version of the law and parliamentary process as anything other than one person's opinion.

[transam]

6 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The inveterate liar Johnson comes out of hiding from sixth form school children to make more of his ‘trust me gov no need to lift the bonnet’ promises.

 

Meanwhile pick your poll:

 

https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/labour-within-six-points-of-conservatives-in-dramatic-poll-shift-1-6371974

 

 

 

Don't you ever get tired of slagging off Boris instead of slagging off those MP's who messed with the peoples vote...

You have become very tiresome coming up with the same ol' drivel.....????

[Jip99]

8 minutes ago, transam said:

Don't you ever get tired of slagging off Boris instead of slagging off those MP's who messed with the peoples vote...

You have become very tiresome coming up with the same ol' drivel.....????

 

 

..... a classic one-trick pony I am afraid.

[vogie]

25 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The inveterate liar Johnson comes out of hiding from sixth form school children to make more of his ‘trust me gov no need to lift the bonnet’ promises.

 

Meanwhile pick your poll:

 

https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/labour-within-six-points-of-conservatives-in-dramatic-poll-shift-1-6371974

 

 

 

Did you get your free mug when you subscribed to this totally unbiased 'The New European' However be safe in the knowledge that Nigel Farage has a higher popularity rating than Jeremy Corbyn

[Chomper Higgot]

25 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Couldn't agree more.

 

History will not be kind to the anti-democrats trying to overturn the will of the people for 3 years. A shameful episode in Parliamentary history.

The will of some of the people, by no means all the people.

 

[nauseus]

6 minutes ago, vogie said:

Did you get your free mug when you subscribed to this totally unbiased 'The New European' However be safe in the knowledge that Nigel Farage has a higher popularity rating than Jeremy Corbyn.

Dramatic poll shift? Like all magnetic compasses point south? Not yet.

[vogie]

1 minute ago, nauseus said:

Dramatic poll shift? Like all magnetic compasses point south? Not yet.

I just wonder if the receptacle to the right of Corbyn is where he keeps Labours manifesto?

 

 

[ballpoint]

Just now, vogie said:

I just wonder if the receptacle to the right of Corbyn is where he keeps Labours manifesto?

 

 

I thought it was there to provide balance.  

[Chomper Higgot]

27 minutes ago, transam said:

Don't you ever get tired of slagging off Boris instead of slagging off those MP's who messed with the peoples vote...

You have become very tiresome coming up with the same ol' drivel.....????

The subject of the thread is (yet another) promise made by Johnson.

 

It may be an uncomfortable truth for you but it remains a matter of record that Johnson continually lies.

 

Forgive me for holding and expressing different opinions to those you hold and express.

 

 

[nauseus]

7 minutes ago, vogie said:

I just wonder if the receptacle to the right of Corbyn is where he keeps Labours manifesto?

 

 

They have a manifesto? Shock/horror!  I thought it was one of those hot air machines.

[ballpoint]

Prime Minister Johnson to declare Britain can end 'the groundhoggery of Brexit' before engaging in a duet of "I got you babe" with Nigel.

[evadgib]

36 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

Don't think so. History is unlikely to regard your version of the law and parliamentary process as anything other than one person's opinion.

One persons opinion lol

[tyga]

Ironic that Boris was responsible for May's deal not getting through months ago. if he had voted for it then, Brexit would have been passed.

[BobBKK]

38 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The will of some of the people, by no means all the people.

 

The majority of the people (I voted against). 2nd ref looks even further away.

[vogie]

7 minutes ago, BobBKK said:

The majority of the people (I voted against). 2nd ref looks even further away.

And the 3rd ref, even further.????????

[JonnyF]

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The will of some of the people, by no means all the people.

 

Thanks for pointing that out, Captain Obvious. You are of course correct, in political terms it is referred to as a "majority". ????

 

[Krataiboy]

2 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The inveterate liar Johnson comes out of hiding from sixth form school children to make more of his ‘trust me gov no need to lift the bonnet’ promises.

 

Meanwhile pick your poll:

 

https://www.theneweuropean.co.uk/top-stories/labour-within-six-points-of-conservatives-in-dramatic-poll-shift-1-6371974

 

 

 

Looks like those danged Ruskies are rootin' for Red Jeremy.

[Pedrogaz]

Really, if Johnson wins and they have an absolute majority (added to anything the Brexit Party wins) then I think the odds of a no-deal go through the roof. 

I think Johnson will tell the EU where to go and ransom off the 40 billion pound divorce bill for a tariff free trade deal. He knows the deal he got was awful and it was because the clowns in Parliament took no deal off the table....he will use the negotiating leverage from the possibility of a no deal to secure either a much better deal or leave with none. I think the latter. 

[evadgib]

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The subject of the thread is (yet another) promise made by Johnson.

 

It may be an uncomfortable truth for you but it remains a matter of record that Johnson continually lies.

 

Forgive me for holding and expressing different opinions to those you hold and express.

Nothing uncomfortable about who will be PM come 13 Dec & who will be picking up their p45s

[Chomper Higgot]

24 minutes ago, evadgib said:

Nothing uncomfortable about who will be PM come 13 Dec & who will be picking up their p45s

Don’t start practicing your gloat dance just just yet.

[transam]

4 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Don’t start practicing your gloat dance just just yet.

 

[Jip99]

30 minutes ago, Pedrogaz said:

Really, if Johnson wins and they have an absolute majority (added to anything the Brexit Party wins) then I think the odds of a no-deal go through the roof. 

I think Johnson will tell the EU where to go and ransom off the 40 billion pound divorce bill for a tariff free trade deal. He knows the deal he got was awful and it was because the clowns in Parliament took no deal off the table....he will use the negotiating leverage from the possibility of a no deal to secure either a much better deal or leave with none. I think the latter. 

 

Music to the ears of hard Brexiteers but I would disagree.

 

I believe that Johnson DOES want a deal ....... whether (in the event of being returned with a working majority) he offers parliament THIS deal - or a No Deal exit remains to be seen.

 

There would have to be some major change of circumstance for him to go against the deal that he sponsored.

[Jip99]

5 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Don’t start practicing your gloat dance just just yet.

Sound advice.................... but the fat lady is gargling honey tea in readiness..........

[Chomper Higgot]

2 minutes ago, Jip99 said:

 

Music to the ears of hard Brexiteers but I would disagree.

 

I believe that Johnson DOES want a deal ....... whether (in the event of being returned with a working majority) he offers parliament THIS deal - or a No Deal exit remains to be seen.

 

There would have to be some major change of circumstance for him to go against the deal that he sponsored.

Johnson switching on previous positions is nothing new.

 

All that matters to him is what’s good for Boris.