@pmdfoster @CER_Grant @CER_EU @anandMenon1 @DenisMacShane This is indeed what it would take for the thing to work. But if all sides agreed, which remains to be seen, it would solve the Irish border issue, rescue UK supply chains, & allow HMG to restrict free movement. It would have a lot going for it.
@pmdfoster @CER_Grant @CER_EU @anandMenon1 @DenisMacShane It would also involve a huge climbdown by the EU side. The very first statement by the 27, on 29 June 2016, stated that "Access to the Single Market requires acceptance of all four freedoms." According to @tconnellyRTE that was inserted at the insistence of Mrs Merkel.
@pmdfoster @CER_Grant @CER_EU @anandMenon1 @DenisMacShane @tconnellyRTE So while it would require the jettisoning of Mrs May's red lines there'd be a parity of political pain, since a pretty fundamental EU red line would also have been breached. I've argued for the outcome in the past but have always doubted whether it was a runner for that reason.
@pmdfoster @CER_Grant @CER_EU @anandMenon1 @DenisMacShane @tconnellyRTE If it were to stand any chance at all, it would presumably require HMG to stop acting the maggot and clearly accept reality: that the ECJ, customs union, regulatory alignment, and money were (of course) part of the deal.
@pmdfoster @CER_Grant @CER_EU @anandMenon1 @DenisMacShane @tconnellyRTE I have previously assumed that it was already too late for this, but am always happy to be proved wrong.
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@pmdfoster @CER_Grant @CER_EU @anandMenon1 @DenisMacShane @tconnellyRTE Mrs Merkel's consistent position on this would make it very surprising if we ended up converging on Jersey though (IMHO).
