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Today I'll attend a conference arranged by the 'Alternative Arrangements Commission' - even though I've been critical of the work of some of those involved in the past. They invited me though, and we need proper dialogue to solve our Brexit issues. 
So the interim report has already been widely criticised, but I disagree. For this is not another no-deal and it can all be fixed by Thursday type report. For a start, not getting rid of the backstop, but ensuring it is never triggered... (you have to note the language carefully)
Then even more significantly, but even more hidden, essentially the report reinvents the single market to solve border checks. Obviously this is a largely Brexiteer report, so they focus on an unacceptable UK-Ireland single market, but that's what it is - in this case for SPS
And similarly for goods, you're starting down the pathway of UK participation in single market structures, in this case conformity assessment.
Once you have the single market you're left with the description of trusted trader schemes for customs, which leave open a smuggling problem, and there is very little on legal frameworks here. Note again language - acceptable in IE, but NI??
Even the timescales gradually get more realistic. 2-3 years is still too optimistic, but better (too optimistic because the political and implementation difficulties still largely glossed over. Think 2-3 years just for negotiation of this, 5 years for implementation).
Anyway more later. But it will be interesting to see how the no-deal ever types mostly speaking reconcile themselves with a report that does not really support what they have been saying. Turns out you do need deals to prevent an Irish border... /end
So far lots of mention of Brady amendment... but recall those Brexiteers who have objections to other parts of the Withdrawal Agreement, and that EU has repeated continually no backstop no deal.
The report is thin on the legal underpinning of alternative arrangements - a big weakness
Expressing these principles must be positive with regard to Ireland and Brexit
Unless Northern Ireland matches EU SPS regime there is a big problem in this area admits Shanker Singham. Finally...
Collaboration and cooperation is required, particularly on customs, says Singham. Not possible on no-deal. In fact think this report together with recent others on the subject kill the idea that you can avoid an Ireland border with no deal #alternativearrangementscommission
Guess who asks the first question, only a @SamuelMarcLowe from @CER_EU - extra admin and why should businesses comply. Not really answered... #alternativearrangementscommission
More questions from @pmdfoster @JohnGPeet @hayward_katy @lisaocarroll and er... me, it's like a Brexit reunion here... on my question, yes a deal is what is recommended.
And we have @awstojanovic on smuggling, @denisstaunton Irish Times on limits of economic zones, and @ChrisGiles_ on, amazingly, VAT... the expertise among the audience is exceptional, the general view a little on the sceptical side...
On the prospect of more smuggling across Ireland @AllieRenison, not able to attend the meeting today, makes a very good point
#alternativearrangementscommission
#alternativearrangementscommission
We are now discussing the Good Friday Agreement on which it would be fair to say that Lord Bew's views are not shared by Cathal Lee from Dublin. As I always say, the North South and East West relations are both crucial to any future arrangements
Interesting, does the Northern Ireland only backstop come closer? All part of the discussion
Had to miss much of a slot on SMEs but we seem to be talking again about what is possible in a deal scenario, and even then real issues being raised by the likes of @AnnaJerzewska and others - what is the cost implication?
This I missed, but good to have confirmation that the 40 miles away SPS inspections relates to within the Rotterdam port environment
SPS, basically agri-food, admitted to be difficult in Ireland due to Brexit, and essentially is being suggested as Northern Ireland choosing between EU and UK standards if the UK diverges,, such as through a US trade deal.
Stakeholder reaction from Northern Ireland to the Altermative Arrangements Commission - a step forward but adds complexity, wait for the final report. Thanks for engaging though...
Now @William_Bain has asked about enforcement / ECJ - no real answer
Singham - no deal outcomes are not politically acceptable, we are putting options on the table. Interesting admission, and this is the repeated message from the report. Deals will be needed. #AlternativeArrangementsCommission
Summary so far, @BorderIrish is not solved yet, but we know a lot more about the complexities.
But now @SamuelMarcLowe throws in the curveball, isn't SPS much more easily solved if you don't worry about a US trade deal.
A choice says Singham...
But now @SamuelMarcLowe throws in the curveball, isn't SPS much more easily solved if you don't worry about a US trade deal.
A choice says Singham...
Still here, we're on to trusted trader programmes, which are fine but only ever part of a solution to remove border checks.
So far today's event on alternative arrangements has been a proper debate and to be fair mostly free of unrealistic solutions (and equally claims therefore to have solved the issue). We need more of such realistic discussions - telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/…
I ask about whether Brexit solutions on trusted trader and various other areas can really be implemented in 2-3 years, @CapacityNow says yes but there is change management challenge, @SiobhanAarons is somewhat more sceptical based on previous experiences
We are winding down now, hearing that border technology is evolving, on timing Singham tells us "it really is only a matter of political will". Of course that will is not just on the UK side, and we haven't so far been making friends on the issue
Not helping Singham goes on to say that some of the problem on the EU side (or UK side, not clear) are that some people don't want alternative arrangements to happen. Perhaps if we had started with the principle of consent...?
I'm concluding the thread on the Alternative Arrangements Commission - there's a lot of work gone in, plenty of ideas, but it really does rely on a deal, shared SPS and mutual product testing arrangements, great cooperation and trust, and tolerance of increased smuggling.
At best, the report could be used as a starting point for a Brexit reset that accepts the difficulties inherent for Ireland, rules out no deal as incompatible with previous commitments to Northern Ireland, and therefore moves us onto a proper future relation discussion. /end
