Carmichael backs election to break gridlock
Shetland TimesAlistair Carmichael has voiced his support for an early general election, and highlighted it as the only way to end the Brexit gridlock.
It comes after the House of Commons voted on Tuesday to back an election after assurances were made by the Westminster government that a no-deal Brexit could not be forced before 31st January.
The isles MP said Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s ‘do-or-die’ October Brexit deadline had failed.
“Now that no-deal is off the table, we must break the gridlock with a general election.
“Ideally I would have wanted to see a People’s Vote. Unfortunately there is no majority in parliament for that so an election is necessary.
“We can’t predict what the main issue in any election will be, but we need more MPs in the next parliament who will support a people’s vote.
“Otherwise the country will remain divided. There are, of course, no guarantees that a people’s vote will fix these divisions. But it is the only way to start a process that may eventually lead to a healing.”
He continued: “Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn are both unfit to lead our country. I am confident that the public are ready to back a party that puts the integrity of our country first, rather than drawing lines to divide us.”
Peter Hamilton
It is worth watching Lib Dem leader, Jo Swinson’s response to Boris Johnson on being told at today’s Prime Minister’s Questions : “She should join this party, vote for this government and support us at the general election”. I’ve just been replaying this on Parliament TV. It looked like she was nodding her head in agreement.
Would anyone be surprised if the Liberals propped up another Tory government?
Brian Smith
No.
ian tinkler
No, but I will tactically vote liberal to keep out the SNP. Socialism linked to Nationalism!!! Give me a liberal tory any day!
John Swinsdon
Nationalism linked to socialism? They tried that once in Iceland following the 1967 election that resulted in a coalition. They succeeded in reducing tariffs on wool and the cod harvest was up 7%. I’m not sure how this compares to current Scottish politics unless you are making a point about fish?
John Irvine
It might also break some political parties!
Jerry Falwell
Bobis Johnson is bang on. He’s got what it takes. We need more positive thinking to get us out of this mess.
ian Tinkler
No Tory could win in Shetland/Orkney so vote
tactically. Keep out Nationalism and Socialism.
We need that like a hole in the head. It has to be liberal, the lesser evil!
The SNP are all independance and nothing else Corbin is just nothing else, Mr dither man!!!
Jerry Falwell
I appreciate what you abe saying Ian, but that is just defeatist thinking. We had enough of that attitude from Thebesa May. It’s not time to hoist the white flag just yet. Bobis is a true man of the people, and not a socialist bone in him.
Brian Smith
How many cliches do you get through every day, Jerry?
Stuart Hannay
I think it’s ‘Jebby’.
Malcolm Henry Johnson
God, give me strength.
Jerry Falwell
Bobis will give us all strength, and put the wind back in our sails. He will get Bbexit done with vim and viger.
(Sorry my b key fell off so have to use b instead of r with mixed results).
Malcolm Henry Johnson
I have unfurled the mainsail in anticipation. Even by my standards, this is a weird dream.
Stuart Hannay
I got a leaflet delivered today stating “Jo Swinson – the UK’s Next Prime Minister.” Say what you like about the Lib Dems, at least they have a sense of humour.
Andrew Holt
“Ideally I would have wanted to see a people’s vote.” (A. Carmichael) We had one of those and we deplorables chose the wrong option. So now we are to undergo trial by general election with none of the main contenders now able or willing to honour the result of that vote. Boris’ deal leaves us in a worse position than May’s; Corbyn and co are so split they just want to change the subject and the Libdems have decided that the best course of action is to forget the referendum ever happened. Occasionally I reflect on whether, if the vote had gone the other way, we would be in the same logjam nearly 4 years on with parliament, press and celebs demanding a softer remain because we didn’t know what we were voting for back in the day. Somehow I think not!