It seems there are few things that the Government could do with the so-called ‘third option’:
-Bolt on regulation
-Kick the can down the road
-Late entry/new model
-Bolt on regulation
-Kick the can down the road
-Late entry/new model
First option involves the UK just bolting on rumoured full alignment on goods (to either model).
Addresses the critical regulatory issues that make up a far greater % of border checks. But wouldn’t necessarily tackle the issues (in EU & Cabinet) with existing proposal..
Addresses the critical regulatory issues that make up a far greater % of border checks. But wouldn’t necessarily tackle the issues (in EU & Cabinet) with existing proposal..
Second is agree that new customs arrangements won’t be ready and ask for a time-limited customs union (separate from backstop).
Ministers & officials already talking about huge timeline challenge. Could simply say – until both sides satisfied we will stay in CU
Ministers & officials already talking about huge timeline challenge. Could simply say – until both sides satisfied we will stay in CU
(To sell these first two points domestically, hard to see how NCP would emerge as option of choice)
The final option is for a last minute entry of a new model… But given MaxFac = no common external tariff, NCP = applying CET but not being bound, the logical last entry would be CET of some form..
So possibly a partial customs union a-la IOD.
So possibly a partial customs union a-la IOD.
None of these options mutually exclusive, but sounds like some more likely than others…
