Credit here to Nick. I was very critical of Norway for Now. Norway Plus is basically what we were campaigning for for a year: permanent single market, effectively a permanent customs union.
And yet. It is still the worst of all worlds. We don’t have to settle for this. 1/
And yet. It is still the worst of all worlds. We don’t have to settle for this. 1/
Think why people so angry about current deal. It gives us integration but without any meaningful say or vote over our rules. Norway Plus is current deal on steroids. Max integration, zero vote. No increased prosperity; drastically reduced sovereignty. Why on earth would we do it?
Brexiters will hate it. One thing which has survived this deal- ending free movement- will fall. May, for one, would almost certainly have a new ref.
Remainers: what’s in it for us? A majority now want to stay at top table, not become a nation of lobbyists outside the room. 3/
Remainers: what’s in it for us? A majority now want to stay at top table, not become a nation of lobbyists outside the room. 3/
It’s also the case that EEA is not good enough alone. Even with a customs union added, we will need to negotiate full agriculture and fisheries agreements - which will also breed a multitude of political grievances over the transition
So it’s great to see positions evolve and people compromise. But this is a compromise which will sow decades of resentment and discontent across political spectrum. We can do better. We can remain.
