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Kevin Hjortshøj O'Rourke
@kevinhorourke
, 3 tweets, 1 min read Read on Twitter
Ireland’s backstop strategy may fail to prevent a border. But that is not the same thing as “bringing about” a border. Can people please bear that simple and IMO not excessively subtle distinction in mind?

thetimes.co.uk/article/bomber…
This article is right to point out the huge security risks associated with the return of a border, but it is wrong to suggest that the blame for this ones to anyone but HMG. A reminder: May’s Lancaster House red lines extended to the whole UK would have guaranteed a border.
You can’t blame Dublin for trying to prevent that. And the deal does prevent that. The problem lies in London.
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More from @kevinhorourke see all

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Kevin Hjortshøj O'Rourke
@kevinhorourke
Is it a safety net? Is it a bridge?
thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/c…
A Northern Ireland only backstop would have been a safety net. But then the UK asked for the CU element of the backstop to be UK-wide. That was more than was required for a safety net. And hence it had to become a bridge.
See @tconnellyRTE here:
rte.ie/news/analysis-…
Read 4 tweets
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Kevin Hjortshøj O'Rourke
@kevinhorourke
Protocol on Ireland in the WA: 1. Until the future relationship becomes applicable, a single customs territory between the Union and the United Kingdom shall be established ("the single customs territory"). p. 309:
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/upl…
PD, p. 6: The economic partnership should ensure no tariffs, fees, charges or quantitative restrictions ... with ambitious customs arrangements that... build and improve on the single customs territory provided for in the Withdrawal Agreement
Preamble to the Protocol (in WA) also speaks of the future relationship building on single customs territory
Read 5 tweets
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Kevin Hjortshøj O'Rourke
@kevinhorourke
This insistence that technology can solve the Irish border issue, and presumably by extension the problems at Dover and Calais, takes the pressure off Dublin you would assume...

thetimes.co.uk/article/backst…
Presumably there will be unanimity among the 27 regarding the integrity of the Single Market
And if there is a minority in the Tory party that actually wants no deal, there is nothing that anyone outside the U.K. can do about that..
Read 3 tweets

Related threads

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Katy Hayward
@hayward_katy
Dear journalists, politicians & intelligent folks:
Seven questions you should ask anyone who purports to have an alternative ‘solution’ to the @BorderIrish #Brexit #Backstop:

1/8
1. Where is this technology/system used at the moment across a land border? (specific examples please)
How long & populated is that border?
How many crossing points? [How many 'designated' for customs?]
How many goods vehicles & private vehicles cross that border everyday?
2/8
2. What amount of paperwork/info (inc. in electronic format) is required on the goods crossing the border in order for this tech/system to function effectively?
How far in advance?
How is the connection between the data submitted & the goods crossing the border verified?
3/8
Read 8 tweets
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Daniel Keohane
@KeohaneDan
If this is true, a big diplomatic “win” for UK:

“A Northern Ireland-specific backstop –a guarantee to avoid a hard border even if future trade talks fail- would effectively give way to one that would apply across the entirety of Britain for customs only” irishtimes.com/news/ireland/i…
With NI safeguards:

“However, the withdrawal agreement would also contain additional measures that would apply on the Irish Border. These are understood to include some extra customs rules as well as rules to ensure the North’s regulations remain in alignment with EU standards”
Obviously, one cannot judge properly without reading detail. But I have long argued that a UK-wide component would be necessary.

If this is able to work, in an “all-weather” legally watertight way, why not? Overall it would be in Ireland’s interest too - *if* other EU26 agree.
Read 3 tweets
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Faisal Islam
@faisalislam
Tonight at 2200 on @skynews i’ve been in the port of Larne, Northern Ireland with Daisy the cow, who could save the Brexit Deal or imperil the Union, depending on your view...#backstop #borderforcows
in the Northern Ireland port town of Larne, one of the places where Irish Sea checks would be required under EU Ireland Brexit backstop proposal, currently being negotiated in Brussels..
and one of the places where checks actually already happen on animal trade between Sco & NI
Barnier mentioned these existing “Irish Sea” checks as a precedent yesterday - but would have to be tenfold increase for backstop...DUP source said this was building “an entire edifice” on some foot & mouth checks for cows..MEP Diane Dodds said checks on lasagne as well as cows
Read 6 tweets
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Katy Hayward
@hayward_katy
Recap of debate in House of Lords y'day on Amendment 25 re: Irish #border in EU Withdrawal Bill #Brexit
HoL had tabled an amendment specifying no checks & controls of any sort. Pared-back version offered by govt in compromise was passed.
Only 1 dissenting voice @PeterHain
(1/7)
Lord Duncan said govt accepted thrust of amendment but made 3 changes to ensure it's 'fit for the statute book':
- to reflect fact W'drawal Agmt =btn UK & EU not IRL
- to refer to '98 NI Act re: N/S cooperation
- tighten wording (but said still inc. range of checks/controls)
2/7
5 Lords spoke. Lord Cormack welcomed ‘real meeting of minds’ in this instance. Lord Murphy reported from BIIPA ‘unanimous agmt that Brexit is dominating British-Irish rels’
& noted ‘there is no political voice from NI in the negotiations dealing with these important issues.’
3/7
Read 7 tweets
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Stephen Hurley
@shurley65
@ftlive conference. Summary of @FT panel:
-increased risk Oct deadline pushed back
-sense in EU that UK might ask for extension
-EU may have misjudged strength of HMG red line on Ireland
-Biz frustrated saying same things for 2 years
-Parl won't vote for no deal
#ftbrexit
Chair of @johnlewisretail:
-uncomfortable about quiet voice of business on #Brexit so far
-urgent need for practicality over ideology
-no deal should not be countenanced
-need to focus on productivity to address disenchantment that led here
-JL focus on tariffs, forex, skills
@Siemens UK CEO:
-Business investment in UK has held up very well since referendum
-But 2 years on now is the time for business to turn up heat on HMG and demand practical solutions
-Or investment will suffer
Read 8 tweets
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Teri Kanefield
@Teri_Kanefield
(thread) Trump hit on a way to beat Mueller: A Criminal Deep State theory.

Spoiler: Trumpsters fall for it by believing it. Everyone else falls for it by spending their time discussing it.

Source for quotations in this thread: vanityfair.com/news/2018/05/i…
1/ The theory: John Brennan, former FBI director, masterminded a plot to take down Trump: He used FBI informants to infiltrate the Trump campaign and plant evidence of Russian collusion. That way, if HRC lost, the Deep State could take out Trump with the planted evidence.
2/ Before you roll your eyes, consider this: It's a great story. Everyone likes rooting for the underdog and the victim. The story is deeply appealing, and is one of the most universally beloved plot lines.
Also, if enough people believe it, it won't matter what Mueller finds.
Read 14 tweets

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