Article 50 timetable

[jack]

This is another post about politics. I'm sorry. Please let me know if there is a way for me to talk about these topics in a less distressing way.

May has talked about triggering article 50 by the end of March. Needless to say, I don't want to do that AT ALL, and I especially don't want to without some replacement already agreed (at least, not killing the economy, and if possible guaranteeing freedom of movement and continued adherence to ECHR).

However, this coming week, the bill giving the prime minister the power to trigger article 50 at any time is being voted on in parliament. Obviously I'd rather parliament voted on that directly (and refused to do so), giving the prime minister a blank cheque fully loaded and pointed at our collective foot gives her the maximum leverage to get permission to do so, whether or not people agree later on.

Tuesday is the first reading. Later this week is the second reading and debate. In theory, there's a committee stage, but there is very little to debate other than "yes or no". A final result could be as early as the end of this week or early next week, though longer if parliament or the lords drag it out or (please) refuse to vote for it.

Some MPs have talked about adding conditions as amendments rather than rejecting it outright. That also makes sense, though I don't know how likely that is.

It is probably futile to fight, since the government has a majority and most of their party will presumably decide they have to vote for it whatever anyone else does, and it's an issue which is directly opposed, as opposed to neglected. However, I am sorry for too many years of apathy, and I decided to start trying to do something rather than nothing, even if it isn't enough.

I started by writing to my local MP (who already opposes), and the leaders of conservative, labour and lib dem, saying "please no", "please no" and "thank you and good luck". I would have sent paper letters if I'd been organised earlier, but I decided emails were better than nothing.

I didn't try to explain my whole argument, just said what I wanted, with specifics when possible. I kept the irony to a minimum, and omitted the sarcasm and profanity entirely.

I am looking whether there is any group it would make sense to donate money (or time) to. (I already donate a little to shelter and msf whether the country is burning down or not.)

Comments

[hilarita]

I've written to my MP. I plan (once it's out of the Commons) to write to members of the House of Lords, because there's stacks of Lib Dem and Crossbench peers. I also plan on writing to Conservatives there, because the Tories have a manifesto commitment to the single market, which the current govt have been moving away from; hence, I intend to point out this moving away from the electoral mandate, to encourage them to vote for any amendments that at least preserve membership of the single market, even if they don't think they can vote to stop invocation of Art.50.

I would consider joining a political party that generally aligns with your views, so that you can try to get your voice heard that way.

I also: became a Guardian supporter (because although I disagree with them on many, many things, they are a British newspaper that's run by a Trust, and not a Murdoch or similar), joined the Open Rights Group (because the Investigatory Powers Bill is thoroughly illiberal, and we need a special interest group to brief politicians properly).

[jack]

Right, yes, lords makes sense. I expect they get fewer letters too. Although I don't see any advantage in waiting.

[hilarita]

I'm waiting so that they get the letter close to the vote, and also so I can reference any useful amendments that have been introduced in the Commons (particularly for Conservative Lords).

[jack]

That makes sense.

[angelofthenorth]

Plaid are proposing amendments to the bill that require the government to keep the promises of the referendum campaign, they're only a small party (3 MPs) but they're being quite effective at the moment, with the help of other Nationalists in the commons.

If you can get your MP to support the Plaid amendments, please do

[jack]

Thank you. In Cambridge, he is already planning to vote against the bill, so I think he will agree on any amendments Plaid propose. But I am including that in any other messagesif I manage them