Election & Referendum results can be bought

26th Oct 2017

 

I did my genuflexion to democracy by voting to start  article 50 process. we cannot be bound by a snapshot of public opinion on one day in June 2016 if it means the UK economy slithering towards an economic sinkhole. Today I tried to make that point to Brexit Minister David Davis.

 

      
Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab)

Will the Secretary of State ignore the voices of manic optimism that seem to be compulsory among Conservative Members and agree that the choice that will be made on the final deal will be very, very different from the choice made on 23 June 2016? Does he not believe that well-informed second thoughts are always superior to ill-informed first thoughts?

·       Mr Davis

Unlike the hon. Gentleman, I respect the views of 17.5 million people, and I intend to uphold them.

 

 

Ben Bradshaw and I have raised this serious point two weeks running at Commons Business Question. Last week the Commons  Leader was dismissive. This week she was more reasonable probably after having some briefing on the subject.

      
Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter) (Lab)

I wonder whether the Leader of the House can answer a question the Prime Minister failed to answer when I asked her on Monday, or ensure that I get a written answer: have the Government or their agencies received any requests from Robert Mueller, the special counsel, or the congressional investigators in the United States for help or information in connection with their inquiry into Russian subversion of the American presidential election?

·       Andrea Leadsom

If the right hon. Gentleman wants to write to me on this, I will see whether I can get him an answer.

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·       Paul Flynn (Newport West) (Lab)

My right hon. Friend the Member for Exeter (Mr Bradshaw) has again raised a crucial issue. We now have, almost every week, new proof that Russia and foreign billionaires are interfering with elections and referendums in other countries. May we have an urgent debate on the fact that we have no mechanisms to protect the integrity of our electoral system, given the possibility of sudden general elections or a second Brexit vote?

·       Andrea Leadsom

The hon. Gentleman is as concerned as Members from right across the House are about potential interventions in democratic systems. He will be aware that a lot of investigatory work is going on, and he will know very well of appropriate ways to raise this matter through a debate in this House.

Comments

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I feel Britain has ruled the world and had an actual empire within living memory. America has an even greater one, and British governments hold on to their coat tails and curry favour. And its undue Russian influence that we should be concerned about?

The Pentagon, and its billions of dollars are going to be out maneuvered by Russian billionaires? I'd just urge some caution in developing a narrative that overlooks this. I've not the least doubt that your intentions are wise and honourable, but we need to be focused on where the real power is and how it affects our interests.

Military leaders, political leaders and the class of 'nobility' (the establishment?) that presides; that wields the overwhelming influence are not Russian oligarchs and their subterfuge. We simply do not know what they (the former) are up to given the facts alluded to in the second paragraph. Weaken one country, stop a war here, start one there. There should be an idea that the world is formed and manipulated not by Russian billionaires but rather by the Pentagon citadel.

America and its military is so rich that it shows off. That it (check this one though I'm sure its right) equals the budget and technology of every other state combined. Is that a good thing? My first question is, how will this affect US? In other words what are they going to do, seek peace, or be itching to flex their might/ superiority? Is there some grand expedition that all the politicians get sucked into one way or another? Which is all to do with class interests, there is no mutual interest. Teeming, festering, gargantuan Inequality is relevant. Can't finish that one at the moment.