The way in which Boles' "Better Brexit" is being treated a hassle-free panacea of sorts is alarming. EFTA-EEA is sensible & has many advantages. But: 1) UK can only submit EFTA application after it has left the EU & accession could take up to a year. What do we do until then? 1/3
2) EFTA-EEA states have been pretty positive about the prospect of UK membership (see remarks from Norway's PM; delegate to EFTA/EEA) — but would they be as keen on temporary UK membership? 3) Boles proposal is based on binning current WA. Would that fly in Brussels? 2/3
3/3 Temporary EFTA-EEA would probably(?) command an emergency Commons majority. It's also a relatively deliverable, off-the-shelf model. But to convince the EU to scrap months of work on the WA and join EFTA by March = huge ask. A thoughtful and encouraging intervention, though.
And 4/ @OliverNorgrove makes another important point. Joining EEA via EFTA pillar rules out a comprehensive customs union with the EU. UK would have to negotiate some form of opt-out — realistic?
