European parliament votes through Brexit deal with big majority

[Celerity]

UK and EU senior figures hail moment as a ‘new chapter’ of friendly relations after four years of division

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/apr/28/european-parliament-votes-through-brexit-deal-with-big-majority

The European parliament has given its overwhelming backing to the Brexit trade and security deal, prompting senior figures on both sides to speak of hope for a “new chapter” of friendly relations after four years of division.

Five MEPs voted against the deal, with 660 in favour and 32 abstentions, although in an accompanying resolution the chamber described the referendum result of 23 June 2016 as a “historic mistake”.

As the result was announced, Boris Johnson issued a statement that sought to define the vote as the end of the tortuous Brexit process that had cost two of his predecessors in Downing Street their jobs.

He said: “This week is the final step in a long journey, providing stability to our new relationship with the EU as vital trading partners, close allies and sovereign equals. Now is the time to look forward to the future and to building a more global Britain.”

snip

[underpants]

1. I had no idea there were that many members in the House of Commons

791 in the House of Lords. I had no idea.

Only 435 in all of our Congress.

[dsc]

2. Our lower house is smaller than those in

Germany, Japan, France, Italy, and the UK among others. Our representatives have larger constituencies than any other democracy except India. It is one reform we should add to HR 1.

[Celerity]

3. 535 voting members in the US Congress. You forgot the 100 Senators.

If the US House had the same ratio of people per rep as the House of Commons does, the US House would have around 3,250 members. If the US House had the same ratio as our Riksdag (our unicameral parliament) does here in Sweden, it would have around 11,500 members.

It is madness that it still remains at 435 voting members. All it takes to dramtically increase it (to 1,501 at a minimum, and then fairly distribute the new members so our big Blue states like California no longer get fucked, which also helps semi fix the horrific Electoral College issues) is an Act of Congress. No constitutional amendment needed.

[roamer65]

4. Now Scotland needs to hold the independence referendum.