New photo May's Brexit humiliation is a replay of James Callaghan's darkest hour

Those of us who were there will never forget watching a government in its death throes.

I was in the Commons press gallery on the night of March 28, 1979, when James Callaghan’s Labour government collapsed as it lost a no confidence vote called by Margaret Thatcher’s Tories.

Amid riotous scenes, thrilling history was being made. 

Callaghan lost by one vote. I thought of these events 40 years ago as I watched last night's vote. Callaghan, after presiding over the Winter of Discontent, was booted out and a decade of Thatcherism ushered in. 

I was in the Commons press gallery on the night of March 28, 1979, when James Callaghan's Labour government collapsed as it lost a no confidence vote called by Margaret Thatcher's Tories (Margaret Thatcher sits at left while Prime Minister James Callaghan is engaged in conservation with Sir Harold Wilson, 1978)

Such nights of drama are very rare. A Commons defeat of more than 100 has happened to a government only three times since 1918.

Ramsay MacDonald's Labour minority government suffered a 140-vote defeat on its Housing Bill in June 1924. 

Four months later, it was defeated again, twice - by 166 and 161 votes. This over a decision to drop criminal proceedings against the editor of the Communist newspaper Workers Weekly. 

A few weeks afterwards, a general election was held following a motion of no confidence in the government. The Tories were victorious and Stanley Baldwin returned to power.

Last night's vote was the culmination of another such day of high drama. Back in 1979, moments before the result was announced, a Labour whip walked towards the Speaker's chair. 

His tally of votes were in his hand and he raised his arm aloft to fellow Labour MPs who leapt to the air in jubilation in the belief that they had won. 

Confusingly, seconds later, the Tory whips entered the chamber and did likewise to their own side, to yelps of Conservative joy.

Last night's defeat for Mrs May will have a profound effect on Britain's political landscape, too, writes SIMON WALTERS  

The Tory whips were right. They had won by 311 votes to 310. Callaghan was out.

The Iron Lady changed Britain for ever and consigned Labour into the wilderness for 18 years. 

Last night's defeat for Mrs May will have a profound effect on Britain's political landscape, too.

It is no exaggeration to say that either a no deal or no Brexit, would have a greater impact on our way of life than that effected by the Thatcher revolution. 

No deal could, in the short term at least, result in similar chaos to that seen during the 1978-79 Winter of Discontent. If Brexit doesn't happen, there could be widespread civil unrest because those who voted Leave would feel betrayed.

However, the difference between 2019 and 1979 is that it is not – yet – curtains for Mrs May as it was for 'Sunny Jim' Callaghan.

Despite last night's humiliation, the Government hasn't fallen. But for those of us who witnessed that March night 40 years ago, the feeling is that we are experiencing another epochal moment.

 

https://textbacklinkexchanges.com/category/the-sun-world/
https://textbacklinkexchanges.com/mays-brexit-humiliation-is-a-replay-of-james-callaghans-darkest-hour/
News Pictures May's Brexit humiliation is a replay of James Callaghan's darkest hour

You don’t have to pack away your bikini just because you’re the wrong side of 20. These body-beautiful stars reveal their secrets to staying in shape and prove you can smoulder in a two-piece, whatever your age. Read on and be bikini inspired!

TEENS
Hayden Panettiere
Size: 8
Age: 18
Height: 5ft 1in
Weight: 8st

To achieve her kick-ass figure, Hayden – who plays cheerleader Claire Bennet in Heroes – follows the ‘quartering’ rule. She eats only a quarter of the food on her plate, then waits 20 minutes before deciding whether she needs to eat again.

Hayden says: “I don’t have a model’s body, but I’m not one of those crazy girls who thinks that they’re fat. I’m OK with what I have.”

Nicollette says: “I don’t like diets – I see it, I eat it! I believe in eating healthily with lots of protein, vegetables and carbs to give you energy.”

kim cattrall

Size: 10-12
Age: 52
Height: 5ft 8in
Weight: 9st 4lb

SATC star Kim swears by gym sessions with Russian kettle bells (traditional cast-iron weights) and the South Beach Diet to give her the body she wants. To avoid overeating, Kim has a radical diet trick – squirting lemon juice on her leftovers – so she won’t carry on picking.

Kim says: “I am no super-thin Hollywood actress. I am built for men who like women to look like women.”
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/newpix/2019/01/15/23/02E93482000005DC-6596077-image-a-1_1547593805108.jpg