Brit MEPs will be missed in Strasbourg when they’re finally all gone, Northern Ireland executive finally sorts out what went wrong, and Brexit Britain won’t be happy if Big Ben doesn’t bong.
This week we are sponsored by Metal Packaging Europe, find out more about them at the end.
It was the first Strasbourg week of 2020 this week and as the travelling circus made its round trip, it was the last visit for British MEPs.
Brexit MEPs like Rupert Lowe
Historic day. The last ever for British MEPs in Strasbourg.
Ignore the Remainer doom-mongers.
We're at the start of an exciting new chapter in our nation's history. Let's embrace it and make it a roaring success!
— Rupert Lowe (@RupertLowe10) January 16, 2020
And Belinda de Lucy
Tomorrow we are off to Strasbourg for the last time! No more wasting tax payers money on this ridiculous vanity project.https://t.co/XyipLGs38M
— Belinda de Lucy (@BelindadeLucy) January 12, 2020
Were delighted to be leaving, but others, including
Jude Kirton-Darling and Ellie Chowns found it “terribly emotional” and the “end of an era.”
Terribly emotional last week in Strasbourg. This is my last speech in the EP as an MEP representing our beautiful region. Moving & unusual comments from EP Vice-President Rainer Wieland who represents #Seaham’s twin town in Germany pic.twitter.com/FJFtKwiwPL
— Jude Kirton-Darling MEP (@Jude_KD) January 15, 2020
I have a real sense of sadness as I enter this building, the European Parliament in Strasbourg, for the last time today. We have two more weeks’ work to do in Brussels, but today is the end of an era here in Strasbourg. pic.twitter.com/kVTEsqyrmI
— Ellie Chowns MEP (@EllieChownsMEP) January 16, 2020
While Magid Magid is simply going to miss keeping a close eye on all the fascists!
I'm going to miss keeping a close eye on all the fascists in the Europeam Parliament… you know who you are! 👀 pic.twitter.com/Pg1YmG0tAI
— 🚀MΛG!D (@MagicMagid) January 16, 2020
But EU work goes on, and Ursula von der Leyen showed up to say that
Europe’s Green Deal will unlock “€1 trillion…and unleash a green investment wave” with the aim of becoming climate neutral by 2050.
EU says its #greendeal will unlock "€1 trillion…and unleash a green investment wave” with the aim of becoming climate neutral by 2050. Although relies on hope governments, local councils and the private sector contribute hundreds of billions. https://t.co/B5IWgSMn6J pic.twitter.com/GeEAx52khM
— Georg von Harrach (@georgvh) January 14, 2020
Seb Dance said he was “Proud to have voted to support the European Green Deal” and called for the highest ambition and targets.
Proud to have voted to support The European Green Deal and to support amendments calling for the highest ambition and targets.
We need a wholesale revolution in the way we live and work.
The EU is making the first tentative steps on a steep path to achieve sustainability 🌍 pic.twitter.com/y7AX5hlhaB
— Seb Dance MEP 🌹🇪🇺 (@SebDance) January 15, 2020
But not everyone was convinced, MEP Reinhard Bütikofer said that when he looks at the “actual figures, it looks more like a piece of political poetry than a political plan.”
Sorry, but when I look at the actual figures, this all looks more like a piece of political poetry than a political plan. Over-selling and under-delivering will not make the green transition a success. https://t.co/PHrCXuvC0J
— Reinhard Bütikofer (@bueti) January 14, 2020
And Diego asked: “Is it me, or is it just impossible to understand the GreenDeal money thing?”
Is it me, or is it just impossible to understand the #GreenDeal money thing?
— diego velazquez (@diego_bxl) January 14, 2020
On Saturday, after three years doing nothing, Sinn Féin and DUP representatives in Northern Ireland returned to Stormont.
They’re in! reported Gavan Reilly. “After 1,096 days, Northern Ireland will have a devolved government again.”
They’re in. After 1,096 days, Northern Ireland will have a devolved government again.
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) January 10, 2020
Ursula von der Leyen wholeheartedly congratulated the parties saying it was an “extremely positive development”
I wholeheartedly congratulate the parties in Northern Ireland for reaching an agreement to restore devolved government in Northern Ireland. This is an extremely positive development for the people of Northern Ireland. #NewDecadeNewApproach
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) January 10, 2020
Northern Ireland Secretary, Julian Smith, said it was high time to get “back to work.”
A devolved government can now start delivering the reforms needed in our public services. After three years, it’s time to get back to work – for the people of Northern Ireland.#StormontDeal pic.twitter.com/7P3kCUESkO
— Julian Smith MP (@JulianSmithUK) January 10, 2020
Ireland correspondent for BBC, Emma Vardy shed a “tear of joy at no longer having to endlessly explain why there’s no government in Northern Ireland.”
No. Tear of joy at no longer having to endlessly explain why there’s no government! #StormontDeal https://t.co/pjbmKixLXt
— Emma Vardy (@EmmaVardyTV) January 10, 2020
So good news all round, though several tweeters thought the £2 billion sweetener might have had something to do with it.
Amazing how polarising issues suddenly disappear when you’re offered a 2 billion sweetener from Boris Johnson…👍🏻#NorthernIreland pic.twitter.com/RLi4hZ0UfR
— Carolaen 🇬🇧🇪🇺💜 (@Moonstone1812) January 15, 2020
And Waterford Whispers reckons in Northern Ireland, everyone is just mad at everything!
Northern Ireland Update: Everyone Mad At Everything https://t.co/jVNuJBdHYe
— WWN (@WhispersNewsLTD) January 13, 2020
Finally, THIS IS NOT A DRILL!
Some very over-excited Brexiteers have launched a #BongForBrexit crowdfunder! Yes Really!
We’re excited to announce the launch of our #BongForBrexit crowdfunder campaign with Mark Francois MP.
We need to raise the money quickly so that the work can be done in time. We have 50K followers, if everyone gives £10 we can have this done by bed time.https://t.co/2nCrediIhO
— #StandUp4Brexit (@StandUp4Brexit) January 15, 2020
Mark Francois MP thinks it’s inconceivable that Westminster’s Big Ben would not chime to celebrate the UK “becoming a free country again.”
📺 | Mark Francois: "If you believe this historic moment in our island's story should be marked by the chimes of the most famous clock in the world, please give now so we can properly celebrate becoming a free country again!" 🔔
— Leave.EU (@LeaveEUOfficial) January 16, 2020
Big Ben is currently closed for renovation, hence the need for members of the public to fork out the cash.
Spoof account, Mark ne-Francois-pas clarified that “It will be 11 Imperial Brexit bongs, not metric ones.”
Phew. 68th time lucky. Good job yoh can't see my can of monster under the desk!
NB. It will be 11 Imperial Brexit bongs, not metric ones. pic.twitter.com/Geu4ghuhd3
— Mark ne-Francois-pas MP 🇬🇧 (@MarkFrancois12) January 15, 2020
According to Nigel Farage, “The world will see the UK as a joke if we can’t get Big Ben to sound on Brexit Day.”
The world will see the UK as a joke if we can't get Big Ben to sound on Brexit Day, Nigel Farage has told LBC.@NickFerrariLBC | @Nigel_Farage | #BongforBrexit https://t.co/IZf5ynJry3
— LBC (@LBC) January 15, 2020
I think that ship may already have sailed Nige!
Big Ben is s*** anyway joked Warren Jon Hughes: “It doesn’t even show the date or how many steps you’ve done.”
Big Ben is shit anyway. It doesn't even show the date or how many steps you've done.
— WarrenJonHughes (@warrenjonhughes) January 15, 2020
“Imagine negotiating a trade deal with a country that could waste half a million quid on ringing a bell,” said John Brassey.
Imagine negotiating a trade deal with a country that could waste half a million quid on ringing a bell. #BongforBrexit
— John Brassey (@JohnBrassey1) January 15, 2020
And Henry Cooke summed it up best: “Britain is like a weird divorced dad who takes his hobbies way too seriously!”
britain is a weird divorced dad who takes his hobbies way too seriously https://t.co/gscNl7wuPU
— henry cooke must bong for brexit (@henrycooke) January 14, 2020
This week we are sponsored by Metal Packaging Europe, the unified voice of Europe’s rigid metal packaging industry. Follow them online to find out how metal can be recycled forever.
Clearly the best way to roll, and unroll, your way into #2020NewYear !#metalrecyclesforever https://t.co/RCRlmvFh3i
— Metal Packaging Europe (@metal_packaging) January 14, 2020
Join me again next week for more chimes, rhymes and crimes in the Brussels Bubble twittersphere.