Thread by @hayward_katy

Barnier's speech today illustrates why no one will be happy with the final deal because, well, Brexit means *cough* Brexit.

UK outside EU means:
- checks where they don't currently exist.
- more admin to cross borders
- new barriers to movement.

1/5
europa.eu/rapid/press-re…

Concessions will be on where the checks will be & who conducts them.

This is how EU proposes to de-dramatise possible customs checks between GB and NI.

2/5

This is EU dedramatising regulatory checks if NI in Single Market for goods and GB not.

Again, priority is not to have them *at* the Irish border.

3/5

The scope of current north/south cross-border movement is vast.
And UK has not been ambitious in seeking to protect that.
This will have a real world impact for those in the Irish border region in particular.

4/5

Maybe it's my mood but I find most comfort in the speech's closing words:
"Je le ferai avec le même calme, sans aucun esprit de revanche, sans aucune agressivité, avec beaucoup de respect pour un grand pays qui, en toutes hypothèses, restera notre allié et notre partenaire."
5/5