
The end of the Independent Group for Change, and farewell to ‘Parliament’s new tribe’
Having misjudged their message, their methods, and their moment, it is astonishing the extent to which the self-styled moderates squandered their resources.
Having misjudged their message, their methods, and their moment, it is astonishing the extent to which the self-styled moderates squandered their resources.
MPs would thus become the elected equivalents of the welfare scroungers of tabloid legend – dragging the reputation of Parliament even deeper into the mud.
An agreement is unlikely to be reached at all. But these estimates, however rough, should give pause for thought.
Plus: I’ve never thought a national unity government is a runner, and I think it’s even less likely now.
There are now 15 independents, plus the Change UK factions and a smattering of pro-Brexit rebel Labour MPs.
Plus: Sympathy for the Downing Street SpAds. The case for chemical castration. And: my interviews with the Tory leadership candidates.
No strategic judgement, no grassroots depth, no clear command structure, no unifying belief system, and a bunch of fractious personalities make for big trouble.
“She is a Johnson, they have a bit of a history of saying stuff”.
A lethal combination of strategic incoherence and operational incompetence has seen the Remain wave pass the would-be mould-breakers by.
Will they now seek to appease turbulent voters by rushing her-deal-plus-the-Customs-Union through the Commons?
The Liberal Democrat deputy leader says that they are all working together for “a people’s vote to stop Brexit”, however.
Plus: Creepy Biden, useless TIGs, spineless Tory MPs…and why I’d favour Scottish independence were I fully Scottish.
It’s the classic small party dilemma – do you accept recruits and defectors, even when they come with baggage?
Plus: I’m still backing Brexit. The Independent Group’s Tory targets. And: it’s a disgrace that public money is being spent on the European elections.
No way forward is without risk at this stage. But the least hazardous course is for the Party to step out soon with a new leader.