Thread by @colmomongain

Fmr UK PM Major calls for UK to revoke Article 50 with immediate effect: “Whether you are a remainder or a leaver no one can welcome chaos. We need to calm markets, protect economic well being of British people”
“It is time to revoke Article 50 with immediate effect”.

Major says UK was a valued US ally because of place in Europe. Says UK will be seen as mid sized and middle ranking power and lose influence due to #Brexit, says EU will also lose

Europe will lose a nuclear power, with global reach & a counterbalance to Franco-German power.

Major turns to peace process now at @IIEA event. Ireland has to contemplate relations with UK, NI & EU in post #Brexit era.

Says lack of Stormont institutions an indictment of DUP & SF. Says sectarianism has not gone away and wounds need to be healed & not reopened.

#Brexit has inserted its very own poison into turbulent politics of NI - Major @ @iiea
Says confidence and supply has undermined UK Govt role wrt NI
Confidence and supply is a deal that would better not have been made.

#Brexit is a retreat, not a liberation says Major. Claims of bullying by Commission are embarrassing says Major. Past EU concessions to UK call into question bullying claims.

UK well able to inflict to damage on itself without EU’s help says Major.

“Any border between North and South risks reawakening old days...graveyards near border are testament to that”.

Much sought after tech solutions will leave UK in a ‘waiting for Godot’ scenario i.e. such solutions may never come

Loss of regular contact between UK & Irish pols & officials in EU will damage relationship. Post #Brexit structures for regular contact will be needed

UK-Irish Relationship is not just about trade. It affects life in NI. But trade is hugely important, say Major.

North-South co-operation evident in all-Ireland spirts teams, says Major (but concedes that England does pinch cricketers...)

Q&A beginning now. Fmr Irish Amb Daithi Ó Ceallaigh asking if remaining is possible: “In present morass, nothing is impossible”

“I think wriggle room in withdrawal agreement is ltd...more in political declaration” - Major on May’s trip to get concessions in Europe today.
“Europe has boxed itself in (on WA) saying the deal is the deal and that is unchangeable...)”

Major says exiting 53 EU trade deals and trying to cut deals with India, US & China might not bring the benefits Brexiteers think it wd.
ENDS