Thread by @pmdfoster

This is SO #Brexit.

The government promises something will NOT happen, knowing full well, IT WILL.

Happens time and time again, and I don't get it. /1 Thread

https://twitter.com/wallaceme/status/1125767559775694850

Remember the #Brexit Bill?

There was the 'we won't pay a penny' brigade, who the government indulged for ages.

When it was obvious to all we would pay...I first reported £36bn in August 2017! /2

telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/08/0…

Let's gloss over 'sequencing' (the battle of the summer)..but remember the 'transition' period battle?

For a long time, there wasn't going to be one of those....even though there clearly was! /3

When we reported a 2-3 year transition was under discussion, it was a 'categoric lie'...when it was obvious to everyone we were going to need a transition period. /4

telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/…

It was equally obvious that we would need an extension to Article 50.....that was clear in January this year (see below)...just work backwards: subtract what needs to be done, from the time left. But still the government denied and denied. /5

telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/…

And now the latest nonsense is that European Parliamentary elections could be avoided by passing the Withdrawal Agreement...when the EU was very clear, it needed full ratification of the Withdrawal Bill to avoid elections.

It was clear the day after April emergency #euco /6

This, I stress, is NOT a 'I told you so, clever me' thread (even if it reads like that)...it's genuine bafflement at the expectation management.

Why keep saying stuff isn't going to happen, when you know it will? No-one is EVER fooled. /7

I mean, how is it even news that @DLidington says we will - shock - have to hold those EP elections?

I am not a regular inhabitant of Westminster, so genuinely curious to know how that helps. Other than simply surviving to fight another day...which is what it looks like. 8/ENDS