UK & EU Agree Post-Brexit Trade Deal

[1andrew1]

Interesting commentary from the FT's editorial board.

At a delicate stage in the Brexit process, Conservatives may be wary of defying the government and exposing themselves to the charge of helping the EU against the UK. But they should reflect on the fate of the US Republican party as it failed, time and again, to check the constitutional excesses of Donald Trump. There is more than a whiff of the Trump approach to dealmaking in this government’s actions.

UK Conservatives are thus facing their Trump moment. This will not be the last time they face such a challenge from a government whose disdain for parliament and process is apparent. If laws can be broken for reasons of inconvenience, which others might the government choose to disregard?

https://www.ft.com/content/351fe714-...2-fcd3533fff45

---------- Post added at 22:48 ---------- Previous post was at 22:42 ----------

On the other side of the party, the ERG want the government's controversial bill to go even further. Not an easy few weeks for BoJo.
https://twitter.com/SamCoatesSky/sta...64163236450305

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by Chris

You misunderstood my point.

Obviously remainers didn’t invent the term. This week, however, it is being wilfully misused by some in a way that allows the impression to be formed that the government is doing something criminal.

The BBC included, if you watched Newsnight this evening.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

The BBC included, if you watched Newsnight this evening.

Most of the criticism I've seen has been blue on blue, with many highly distinguished Conservative politicians believeing it is their duty to both their party and country to speak up.

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

Most of the criticism I've seen has been blue on blue, with many highly distinguished Conservative politicians believeing it is their duty to both their party and country to speak up.

Certainly. But I'm aiming at the BBC.

Their first focus has been on breaking international law. If they were unbiased, they'd report something like:

'In a move to head of an unforeseen consequence of a no-deal Brexit, the Government has introduced a bill that does xyz. The move is seen as controversial because ...'.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

Certainly. But I'm aiming at the BBC.

Their first focus has been on breaking international law. If they were unbiased, they'd report something like:

'In a move to head of an unforeseen consequence of a no-deal Brexit, the Government has introduced a bill that does xyz. The move is seen as controversial because ...'.

The key news by the evening was the controversy over international law, the secondary element being the why. So to me, it's a logical order given the timing of the programme.

If the news item was on earlier in the day before the controversy arose, then stating "In a move that the government describes as necessary to head-off a consequence of a no-deal Brexit, it is proposing a bill that does xyz." would be appropriate.

[Sephiroth]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

The key news by the evening was the controversy over international law, the secondary element being the why. So to me, it's a logical order given the timing of the programme.

If the news item was on earlier in the day before the controversy arose, then stating "In a move that the government describes as necessary to head-off a consequence of a no-deal Brexit, it is proposing a bill that does xyz." would be appropriate.

We fundamentally disagree. The BBC editorial team are still biased. The main story should not be the sensationalising of the international law aspect.

Whether or not this is unconscious bias by the BCC, I can't say for sure. I lean towards thinking they're all hacks after the sensational headline, especially if it hits the Tories/Boris.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

We fundamentally disagree. The BBC editorial team are still biased. The main story should not be the sensationalising of the international law aspect.

Whether or not this is unconscious bias by the BCC, I can't say for sure. I lean towards thinking they're all hacks after the sensational headline, especially if it hits the Tories/Boris.

News stories have a life of their own. They can't simply repeat the news items from the morning if they have evolved. This one did significantly. I think the bias lies more in Berks than the Beeb in this instance. (I may well agree with you on other BBC stories but disagree with you on this one.)

[Carth]

As with almost every other vehicle of mass news distribution, the most important aspect of any story is the sensational headline that draws the crowd through the door . . . only to find a tatty interior with tired and faded soundbites that say nothing at all.

[jonbxx]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

We fundamentally disagree. The BBC editorial team are still biased. The main story should not be the sensationalising of the international law aspect.

Whether or not this is unconscious bias by the BCC, I can't say for sure. I lean towards thinking they're all hacks after the sensational headline, especially if it hits the Tories/Boris.

We can also throw in the notoriously left wing Daily Mail. Here are their three headlines in their 'Battle for Brexit' section;

US Democrat leader Nancy Pelosi warns there will be NO Transatlantic deal if the UK tears up Brexit divorce terms on NI as Michael Gove holds crisis talks with the EU and trade negotiations face COLLAPSE

STEPHEN GLOVER: Be warned, Boris - if you break the law and trash the UK's reputation, you'll destroy your own, too

'Britain's word is sacrosanct': Sir John Major says Boris Johnson's plans to override the Brexit divorce deal risks losing 'something beyond price that may never be regained'

Or Sky news;

Brexit: Emergency talks called between UK and EU over 'carpet bomb' plan - amid warning over US trade deal
Legal action is also reportedly being considered by Brussels, and a top Democrat has warned a UK-US trade deal is at risk.

Brexit changes in Internal Market Bill will override international law, government reveals

Or ITV news;

Crunch Brexit talks as Pelosi warns no US deal if UK ‘imperils’ NI peace process

Sir Kim Darroch tells Will Trump Win? the UK's 'unthinkable' illegal Brexit move threatens all future trade deals

[Sephiroth]

@jonbxx
Apart from the fact that I've no problem with the Mail's reporting, they are an openly biased organisation. Basically pro-Tory and definitely pro-sensationalist, albeit the given examples are hardly sensationalist.

The BBC on the other hand must scrupulously demonstrate non-bias and should construct their reports accordingly.

Brexit is really important and the BBC should not be giving aid to the EU by trashing our government.

[Carth]

Yep . . . not many sensationalist headlines in that list, no sir, all looks good to me

[Kushan]

Originally Posted by Hugh

In a limited and specific way...

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

Brexit is really important and the BBC should not be giving aid to the EU by trashing our government.

The BBC, Sky and ITN should report the news accurately and impartially. They should not have to worry about whether their reports give aid to one side or the other. The BBC and its peers should not be organs of the state.
Singling out the BBC from its two peers Sky and ITV and ignoring their news reporting suggests unconscious bias IMHO.

[Kushan]

Oh oh oh, I get to bring up this now!

Originally Posted by Sephiroth

The other non-EU countries are not coming out in their droves to criticise the UK.

https://www.speaker.gov/newsroom/9920

If the U.K. violates that international treaty and Brexit undermines the Good Friday accord, there will be absolutely no chance of a U.S.-U.K. trade agreement passing the Congress.

That big US trade agreement we all pinned our hopes on goes out the window if we break the treaty. So no EU trade agreement, no US trade agreement.

What was this about "it's okay to break the law if it means a better deal" or whatever?

[Carth]

Thought you'd be happy at no chance of chlorinated chicken