Boris Johnson heads to Dublin amid fears of more resignations

[brooklynite]

Source: The Guardian

Boris Johnson will fly to Dublin to meet the Irish prime minister, Leo Varadkar, on Monday, as he battles to show that his Brexit plan remains on track after Amber Rudd dramatically quit the cabinet.

Against a backdrop of mounting disquiet inside government at Johnson’s gung-ho approach and the combative style of his chief strategist Dominic Cummings, the British prime minister hopes to demonstrate that he is serious about negotiating a fresh Brexit deal.

...snip...

Rudd’s resignation on Saturday evening sparked fears of a domino effect, with other Tory moderates following suit.

Since tendering her resignation, Rudd has been approached by three cabinet ministers and nine junior ministers who have expressed concern about the direction of the government, a friend said, adding that she would not be at all surprised if there were more resignations.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/sep/08/boris-johnson-heads-to-dublin-amid-fears-of-more-resignations

[bucolic_frolic]

1. How the world has changed

British PM heads to Ireland to drump up support. Never would have seen that even 35 years ago.

[Grokenstein]

2. Wistful Sigh...

...if only the Cheeto Regime were this good at self-destruction.

[3Hotdogs]

6. It is. And the 'merican taxpayers are paying for it.

[efhmc]

3. oh, to have people of principles anywhere in DJT's administration.

[paleotn]

4. Good luck with that, Boris.

So much for all that posturing and "bargaining from a position of strength" business. Now he's off to Dublin, hat in hand, begging Varadkar for a breakthrough to save not only Brexit, but more importantly, his government. I predict another British government will be dashed to pieces on the rocks of the Irish coast. You can't Brexit without a hard border. You can't. The north won't go for anything but the same terms and conditions as the rest of the UK. That means hard border and blowing up Good Friday or no Brexit. The EU won't allow special dispensation or any sweet deal for the UK because they can't afford it. If that where the case, a number of other members will be lining up for seamless trade without having to actually pay for it with EU membership. The union would then cease to exist. That ain't going to happen. Thus, Boris ends up right where he started, with Theresa May giving him a nice, big " I told you so" smile.

[PaddyIrishman]

7. The north won't go for anything but the same terms and conditions as the rest of the UK.

That's not exactly the case.

Northern Ireland voted to stay within the EU.

Parties adopting a remain position won a majority of votes in every election in Northern Ireland since Brexit.

Every opinion poll in Northern Ireland shows a majority in favour of a Northern Ireland only backstop.

The one 'fly in the ointment' are the DUP, sometimes referred to as the political wing of the 16th Century, and until Boris alienated 21 members of his party they held the balance of power at Westminster.

Ireland and the rest of the EU would sign up for an Northern Ireland only backstop in the morning and the only thing in the way is the DUP.

It's possible now that we are staring down the abyss and they are being held solely responsible for this mess, that they will back down, but we're dealing with a party whose favourite word is "NO".

[Ghost Dog]

8. DUP holds zero power now though, with Stormont non-operational

and the UK PM in a pathetic minority at Westminster...

They should pay back at least half of the £1bn they were bribed with.

[paleotn]

9. Thanks for the clarification

We have a similar party in the US....Republicans.

[rpannier]

5. Wonder if he'll do the Pence

Stay far away from the meetings at an ill presidente property