by Rab Bruce’s Spider

When did it all go wrong? The MP Expenses scandal may have first revealed to the public just how corrupt and venal our politicians are, but even then few of us probably realised just how self-serving they are.

Of course, human nature being what it is, all of us will generally do what is best for ourselves in any given situation, but UK MPs seem to be taking this to a whole new level.

Boris Johnson’s lawyers have told the Court of session that the Prime Minister will obey the law, yet Johnson himself continues to insist that the UK will be leaving the EU on 31st October. It doesn’t take a genius to see that these two statements are mutually incompatible unless he has some devious trick up his sleeve whereby he can send a request to the EU to ask for an extension to the Brexit deadline and then somehow ensure that request is denied. Not that anyone could blame the EU for refusing an extension and kicking the UK out. They must be fed up with our petulant posturing by now. But they are probably professional enough to recognise that the situation in the UK might change if the Tories are forced into a General Election and then lose.

That, of course, is a whole new ball game. Judging by recent polls and by-election results, England will continue to vote Tory no matter what, although it must be said voters in England really don’t have much choice. All the Parties are pro-Brexit except the Greens who don’t put up candidates in every constituency, and the Lib Dems who really can’t be trusted on anything.

Indeed, Labour and the Lib Dems seem to be going out of their way to ensure Brexit goes ahead. Labour insist that any coalition Government, even a temporary one, must be led by Jeremy Corbyn because he is the official leader of the Opposition. You can see their point, but Corbyn is a divisive figure, and the Lib Dems absolutely refuse to work with him. Each Party has declared they would rather see a No Deal Brexit than work in alliance on the other’s terms. How is that for putting petty Party politics above what is good for the state? It beggars belief that, faced with a Prime Minister who is less competent than Theresa May, Corbyn and Swinson cannot put aside their differences and work together for the short time that is required to prevent a disaster.

Sadly, although the bookmakers are slashing the odds on the UK leaving the EU at the end of October, I still think this is the most likely scenario. I do hope I’m wrong. There are some possible escape routes, including the Court of session ruling in favour of the nobile officium case or perhaps the Queen taking a stand and sacking Johnson. While that latter scenario would be interesting to watch as the media would no doubt be trapped not knowing who to back, I don’t think it would alter things very much. The Tories have plenty of extremists who would willingly step into the role of PM.

It’s horrible living in interesting times, isn’t it?