Thread by @APHClarkson

In order to avoid Northern Ireland developing an even more separate status the fate of the entire UK's political and economic future will indefinitely hinge on how the Irish border is managed. An interesting test of English commitment to the Union
irishtimes.com/news/ireland/i…

As the implications of England's inability to break away from the EU because of the Irish border sink in I wouldn't be surprised if some voices who have hitherto fiercely defended the UK union suddenly become more ambivalent about its survival

Try to imagine how the London political, media and analyst elite would adjust in an environment where a dream of a buccaneering Global Britain is forever thwarted because of Irish Border pressures that keep the whole UK entrenched in the EU system

In remaining so resolutely opposed to a backstop that keeps Northern Ireland permanently linked to the EU system the Brexiters may have forced a backstop that ties the UK permanently to the EU system.

They dug the ditch, placed the punji sticks and dived into their own trap

To keep control of Northern Ireland the UK loses its ability to control its borders, its laws and its trade relationships with the rest of the world. That's one hell of a backstop.

What the hell was the point of all this again?