Thought I'd start a new thread as this is going to be a major talking point this year...have not made up my mind yet...(unlike bucksfizz)....but thinking of voting for an exit as Europe is not doing Britain any good at all it seems....

Nick Clegg wrote an interesting column for the Evening Standard about the referendum result. You will not be surprised that he’s not altogether happy about the outcome. But what’s especially interesting is his insistence that:

‘…there will have to be a general election shortly after the new Conservative leader is elected. The country did not elect a Brexit government last year. The millions of voters who gave David Cameron the benefit of the doubt did so, above all, because they were worried what would happen to the economy if Ed Miliband and Alex Salmond were in charge… And when we vote in that general election, the key question will be this: do we agree or not to the terms of our exit from the EU? Since the Brexiters refused to give us any clue before last week’s referendum, they should be given the opportunity to put their plans to the British people.’
Now, the man who gave us fixed term parliaments which MPs will have to pass a law to do away with in order to hold a referendum in November was, of course, Nick Clegg. It was part of the deal for establishing a coalition government.
The act included two provisions for dissolving parliament early: one, a vote of no confidence in the government; the other, a decision by two thirds of MPs to agree to an emergency election.
In introducing the bill Mr Clegg said; ‘by setting the date that parliament will dissolve, our prime minister is giving up the right to pick and choose the date of the next general election—that’s a true first in British politics’. Oh dear. It seems less of a game changer now.
But of course at the time it was thought of as a way of the Libdems holding onto power in the coalition for the longest time possible. Well you were hoisted by your own petard Nick. You would do well in the EU

in any case, even under the old system, i don't think there was any need for a new GE unless there was a vote of no confidence carried in parliament

I know i shouldn't be encouraging it, and in all probability it will be against
the anti- bullying lobby's agenda....But i can't be the only one who would like
to give that Timmy Farron a good slapping...

Everytime he speaks his head goes down to one side and his weasle eyes dart
about looking to see if anyone's watching him, giving his body language the tell
tale sign he has something to hide.....

no idea what he even looks like

Well, as a supporter of my local MP, Andrea Leadsom, I'm also a big supporter of Theresa May, and have been for quite a number of minutes.

chuckle ..... what's TM done to impress you?

She won, that's impressive and Leadsom wimped. Luckily she never had to face Putin or a crisis.

Well what a good day to be at the Palace of Westminster.

The news broke whilst we were in the Commons chamber and a palpable buzz went through the place.

Spotted a number of Conservative MPs looking very pleased with themselves.

A middle aged lady I was chatting to was wondering if she would still have to vote on the Leader now. She was a member of the Conservative Party. I said probably not, she gave me a slightly startled look when I told her I was a member of the Labour Party and was still hoping to get a vote for Labour leader.

Leadsom backed out, I understand, because she could not get enough support from Conservative MPs.

How quaint, how archaic. What we need is a new type of politics where Party leaders are actively hated by their colleagues. Roll on the vote for Labour's leader.

There's no codger like an old codger.

There is no end to it all. Owen Smith is going to stand for Lab leader. That could split the anti-Corbyn vote if Corbyn is allowed on the ballot. Are they all mad?

4430
Tim Farron

There aren't many things that'll get one back to London unexpectedly. Listening to Cameron resigning is right up there though.

— Elizabeth Windsor (@Queen_UK) 11 July 2016

iturama(4437), very close resemblance, but the eyes need to be more
weasle like..

The ones in the sketch are of deep dark places, Farrons are furtive, sly
darting like...Can you get them to move by any chance, by using an hologram
or the like...;D)

I thought it was constructed from a self-portrait of It.

More than 1,000 lawyers across the UK have signed a letter addressed to Prime Minister David Cameron insisting that last month's vote to leave the European Union is not legally binding.

In the open letter published in the Independent, barristers argued that the referendum result is merely "advisory" and that primary legislation will be required before Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty – the two-year process to take Britain out of the EU – can be triggered.

They recommended the creation of an independent committee to assess the benefits and risks of Brexit, citing evidence that the referendum result "was influenced by misrepresentations of fact and promises that could not be delivered".

More than 16 million Britons voted to remain in the EU, but were defeated 52% to 48% by the Leave camp.

The result has raised concerns that the UK economy could plunge into recession, as businesses hold off on investing in an uncertain climate.

There are also fears that Britain could break up, with both Scotland and Northern Ireland voting overwhelmingly to stay in the EU.

'Legislation needed'

"We believe that in order to trigger Article 50, there must first be primary legislation," the letter said.

"It is of the utmost importance that the legislative process is informed by an objective understanding as to the benefits, costs and risks of triggering Article 50.

"Since the result was only narrowly in favour of Brexit, it cannot be discounted that the misrepresentations and promises were a decisive or contributory factor in the result."

David Lammy, the MP for Tottenham, said Cameron's successor will have to secure the approval of parliament before formally beginning the process to exit the EU.

"I'm absolutely clear that in the best interests of my constituents and of the nation as a whole I will be voting against the invoking of Article 50 when it comes before parliament and I know that many of my colleagues share the same view," he told the Independent.

Earlier this month, former PM Tony Blair urged the government to delay triggering Article 50 because the "will of the people" could change.

He said the UK must keep its "options open", as some claims made by Brexit campaigners before the referendum had "collapsed".

Yes apparently these lawyers are from 'Lawyers in Europe', So no bias
there then, as to the letter, its in camerons 'out' tray..

All these 'remainer's' must think just by stamping their feet and shouting..

I WANT...I WANT...I WANT..And if we don't get it we're going to stamp and
scream, and won't put their bottom lip away until they do...

BLESS!!

Of course. They are the lawyers on the gravy train.They have been the group that has benefited most from the EU.

Lammy was made to look a cnut on last weeks Andrew Neil's 'The week'
on the subject of the referendum.

Well...it's TM for the job...it'll be tough.....wants to remain but has to lead out......not exactly an ideal situation !.....you can be certain it will mean brexit delays....(sounds like rail travel in this country).....

Makes it easier for the Olympic photo-shoot......with the prime minister..; team GB turns into TM GB.....