Is this how our democracy dies?

[Soph0571]

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/picture/2019/aug/10/boudicca-boris-johnson-in-his-no-deal-brexit-chariot-cartoon

Mr Johnson’s plot to subvert democracy is more dangerous than Brexit itself

The suggestion that they could take this sensationally reckless course seems to have originated with Number 10’s de facto chief of staff, Dominic Cummings. Some regard him as the second most powerful person in this government and others suggest he is the most powerful. I don’t know about that, but I do know that a man who has been held in contempt of parliament is no respecter of conventions. He reportedly told a meeting of special advisers that the mission of this government is to take Britain out of the EU on 31 October “by any means necessary”. That’s a phrase loaded with menace because it was made notorious by Malcolm X to suggest that anything was justified, including violence, in the pursuit of justice for black Americans. I am sure Dom X is not advocating violence of the physical variety, but it does suggest that he might not be averse to inflicting GBH on constitutional norms. This would apparently include Boris Johnson refusing to leave Number 10 even if his government lost a Commons no-confidence vote, and turning himself into the world’s most extraordinary squatter in order to delay polling day until after 31 October. That would make it impossible to stop a crash-out Brexit in the middle of an election campaign, possibly even on election day itself, and even if the country was about to vote for a different outcome.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/11/boris-johnson-plot-to-subvert-democracy-is-more-dangerous-than-brexit-itself

If they are allowed to get away with this out democracy is dead. More than anything because once done once there is nothing to stop someone in the future to claim this as convention and just squat in Number 10. This cannot be allowed to happen, however I fear that the lack of integrity and gravitas we are witness to at the moment in our elected members mean that is they try it they might actually get away with it!

The very idea of a united kingdom is being torn apart by toxic nationalism

Recent polling shows a majority of Scots support Scottish independence. In a new Hope Not Hate poll, many more – 60% – agree a no-deal Brexit will accelerate the demand for independence. Only 15% disagree.

What is most worrying is not just that so many think the union will end but how at least for now so few appear to care. Only 30% of British Conservatives (and only 14% of Brexit party voters) would oppose Brexit if it meant the break-up of the union: 56% of Tories (and 78% of Brexit party voters) – in total 70% of Leavers – would go ahead regardless, even if the union collapsed.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/aug/10/very-idea-of-a-united-kingdom-being-torn-apart-by-toxic-nationalism

Nationalism is such an ugly thing.. not terribly British chaps..
We are somewhat in peril