06 July 2018

I can think of better ways to spend a Friday

Apparently the Chequers meeting will begin at 9.30 am and continue until at least 10.30 pm.

The Times reports:
Chequers has a swimming pool donated by Richard Nixon’s White House and a tennis court built by Tony Blair. Cabinet ministers will not have time to enjoy either today during Theresa May’s attempt to forge a workable Brexit negotiating position.
Arriving in Buckinghamshire by 9.30am, the 22 cabinet ministers, plus the extra six with attendance rights, have been told they are not likely to be leaving until past 10.30pm. On arrival, they will be given coffee in the great hall, but no breakfast, prompting some status-anxious ministers to wonder whether there is a secret breakfast for key ministers beforehand. Phones will be confiscated.
Greg Clark, the business secretary, is expected to spell out dire warnings of a hard Brexit made by businesses. Philip Hammond, the chancellor, is expected to address services. Some discussions will be classed as political, meaning that civil servants will have to leave.
After lunch, the cabinet will have to get down to the task of coming to an agreement. The meeting will go on until the white paper is signed off or, perhaps, resignations take place. Should any minister quit, it is unclear whether they will instantly lose their ministerial car and have to walk up Chequers’s drive.
Imagine being shut up all day with a bunch of people, many of whom you don't particularly care for, and many of whom don't particularly care for you.  And you're expected to spend all day discussing customs arrangements, Northern Ireland border issues and potential trade agreements.

But they made this bed for themselves, so let them lie in it.

In case you're wondering, the outcome will just be more fudge ...

 

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