THREAD: This morning, during the review of the Sunday papers, Andrew Marr referred to Tory MPs who are considering rebelling against the govt on Brexit as “Tory hardcore Remainers” ffs #Marr
2/
This terminology is disgraceful gaslighting. It confirms yet again that many senior figures at the BBC have swallowed the Brexiters’ narratives, rather than exercising the independent critical judgement that we licence payers are entitled to expect.
This terminology is disgraceful gaslighting. It confirms yet again that many senior figures at the BBC have swallowed the Brexiters’ narratives, rather than exercising the independent critical judgement that we licence payers are entitled to expect.
3/
We can debate whether pro-Brexit narratives are regurgitated by the BBC because of bias, acquiescence in the face of bullying, or (my pet theory) an undeclared paternalistic view that continuing Brexit debate is “divisive” & the BBC’s role is to heal & unify a divided country.
We can debate whether pro-Brexit narratives are regurgitated by the BBC because of bias, acquiescence in the face of bullying, or (my pet theory) an undeclared paternalistic view that continuing Brexit debate is “divisive” & the BBC’s role is to heal & unify a divided country.
4/
If there were still any widely held commitment in this country to using political language accurately, rather than to confuse & misdirect, a “hardcore Remainer” would be somebody who believes Brexit must be stopped, and who is campaigning to stop it by revoking Article 50.
If there were still any widely held commitment in this country to using political language accurately, rather than to confuse & misdirect, a “hardcore Remainer” would be somebody who believes Brexit must be stopped, and who is campaigning to stop it by revoking Article 50.
5/
People who believe that Brexit is a terrible idea and will damage the country *but who are not actively campaigning to reverse Article 50* cannot properly be classed as “Remainers”, let alone “hardcore Remainers”.
People who believe that Brexit is a terrible idea and will damage the country *but who are not actively campaigning to reverse Article 50* cannot properly be classed as “Remainers”, let alone “hardcore Remainers”.
6/
Except in a historical context, it is not accurate to refer to people as “Remainers” based on how how they voted in EUref 2 years ago. That is like describing old women with grey hair as blondes, brunettes or redheads. It is irrelevant and, deliberately or not, misleading.
Except in a historical context, it is not accurate to refer to people as “Remainers” based on how how they voted in EUref 2 years ago. That is like describing old women with grey hair as blondes, brunettes or redheads. It is irrelevant and, deliberately or not, misleading.
7/
There is not a single Conservative MP in the House of Commons who is trying to stop Brexit. Not even Ken Clarke (he was interviewed on the World This Weekend today). They all accept it will happen, albeit reluctantly in some cases, & are trying to influence what form it takes.
There is not a single Conservative MP in the House of Commons who is trying to stop Brexit. Not even Ken Clarke (he was interviewed on the World This Weekend today). They all accept it will happen, albeit reluctantly in some cases, & are trying to influence what form it takes.
8/
Despite the bullshit Brexiter gaslighting, there is not, objectively speaking, One True Brexit whereby anything that deviates from this isn’t really Brexit. Brexit will have occurred if we cease to be legally members of the EU.
Despite the bullshit Brexiter gaslighting, there is not, objectively speaking, One True Brexit whereby anything that deviates from this isn’t really Brexit. Brexit will have occurred if we cease to be legally members of the EU.
9/
Whether we crash out with No-Deal, get the fantasy “deep and special bespoke partnership” that this govt keeps wittering on about, or join the EEA, we will have Brexited.
“Legally exiting the EU means Brexiting.”
Whether we crash out with No-Deal, get the fantasy “deep and special bespoke partnership” that this govt keeps wittering on about, or join the EEA, we will have Brexited.
“Legally exiting the EU means Brexiting.”
10/
The Leave campaigns promised all things to all people. When they tell us that Vote Leave were clear during EUref debate that Brexit meant leaving the Single Market (or the Customs Union), they are cherrypicking...
The Leave campaigns promised all things to all people. When they tell us that Vote Leave were clear during EUref debate that Brexit meant leaving the Single Market (or the Customs Union), they are cherrypicking...
11/
Yes, Vote Leave did say those things. However, at other times they also said the exact opposite of those things. (A deliberate tactic.) Which version to believe? So splicing together a few selected video snippets doesn’t give them a mandate to Leave SM/CU. #LeaveLiars
Yes, Vote Leave did say those things. However, at other times they also said the exact opposite of those things. (A deliberate tactic.) Which version to believe? So splicing together a few selected video snippets doesn’t give them a mandate to Leave SM/CU. #LeaveLiars
12/
Yes, Anna Soubry, Nicky Morgan, Ken Clarke, Dominic Grieve, etc were Remain in 2016. But they are no longer campaigning to stay in the EU. They are, quite legitimately & democratically, trying to make sure as they see it that Brexit does as little economic damage as possible.
Yes, Anna Soubry, Nicky Morgan, Ken Clarke, Dominic Grieve, etc were Remain in 2016. But they are no longer campaigning to stay in the EU. They are, quite legitimately & democratically, trying to make sure as they see it that Brexit does as little economic damage as possible.
13/
Therefore to call them “Remainers” is at best misleading, at worst downright dishonest.
Therefore to call them “Remainers” is at best misleading, at worst downright dishonest.
14/
The Tory rebels are not trying to stop Brexit. They accept that the UK will cease to be an EU member on 29/3/2019. But they, legitimately, want to influence what kind of relationship we, as non-members, have with the EU in future.
The Tory rebels are not trying to stop Brexit. They accept that the UK will cease to be an EU member on 29/3/2019. But they, legitimately, want to influence what kind of relationship we, as non-members, have with the EU in future.
15/
More accurate ways of referring to the Tory rebels would be “former Remainers” or “reluctant Brexiters” or “pragmatic Brexiters” or “damage-limiters” or “soft Brexiters”.
More accurate ways of referring to the Tory rebels would be “former Remainers” or “reluctant Brexiters” or “pragmatic Brexiters” or “damage-limiters” or “soft Brexiters”.
16/
The👏Tory👏rebels👏are👏not👏Remainers,👏let👏alone👏“hardcore👏Remainers”.👏
The👏Tory👏rebels👏are👏not👏Remainers,👏let👏alone👏“hardcore👏Remainers”.👏
17/
The same is true of Labour’s Westminster MPs- even the most outspoken rebels, like Chuka Umunna are not campaigning to keep us as members of the EU. They are pushing for the softest possible Brexit. (I think some Labour MEPs- @SebDance anyway- are trying to stop Brexit.)
The same is true of Labour’s Westminster MPs- even the most outspoken rebels, like Chuka Umunna are not campaigning to keep us as members of the EU. They are pushing for the softest possible Brexit. (I think some Labour MEPs- @SebDance anyway- are trying to stop Brexit.)
18/
There are very few MPs at Westminster who are Remainers, let alone “hardcore Remainers”- and none, to my knowledge on the Conservative or Labour benches.//
There are very few MPs at Westminster who are Remainers, let alone “hardcore Remainers”- and none, to my knowledge on the Conservative or Labour benches.//
PS- BBC Evening News just now correctly describing Amber Rudd as a “former Remainer”. Good. Well done, @iainjwatson.
But Andrew Marr is, once again, an utter disgrace on Brexit. #marr #BBCfail
But Andrew Marr is, once again, an utter disgrace on Brexit. #marr #BBCfail
Here’s an earlier thread I did on a similar subject (when BBC kept talking about the balance between Leavers & Remainers in Cabinet, after Amber Rudd’s resignation):
External Tweet loading...
If nothing shows, it may have been deleted
by @eurosluggard view original on Twitter
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
