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A thought about proroguing Parliament - it will, per @DavidGauke today in Commons mean that no legislation is passed to provide for direct rule in Northern Ireland - which will be desperately needed in a 'no deal'.
Note that @JulianSmithUK the NI Sec of State agrees! /1
Note that @JulianSmithUK the NI Sec of State agrees! /1
@DavidGauke @JulianSmithUK As I reported here, it is CLEAR, that UK govt, in absence of Stormont govt being stood up, will need to have powers to govern NI - the civil service (post St Andrews Agreement) is totally TIED without them. /2
@DavidGauke @JulianSmithUK And as this reply to Jim Shannon (DUP) on rising security risks makes clear there are real risks, including to PSNI officers. As @JulianSmithUK
accepts "people are trying to kill them" /3
accepts "people are trying to kill them" /3
Say it again: if the @BorisJohnson government is dead set on the 'no deal' that will flow from the demand to "abolish the backstop" it has a moral obligation to think about the consequences for Northern Ireland and what they can responsibly do to mitigate the risks. 4/ENDS
@BorisJohnson PS...is it me or can your the icy rage of @JulianSmithUK here in the failure of Cummings and co to consult him on the impact of Proroguing Parliament on his department. /5
@BorisJohnson @JulianSmithUK PS...2. If Direct Rules comes, will Ireland demand a 'say' (beyond their current consultative role) under under the Good Friday Agreement?
Has UK engaged on the prorogue question with @simoncoveney
and the Irish Govt? @JulianSmithUK ducks the Q...but I have! /6
Has UK engaged on the prorogue question with @simoncoveney
and the Irish Govt? @JulianSmithUK ducks the Q...but I have! /6
@BorisJohnson @JulianSmithUK @simoncoveney I interviewed the Tanaiste in May this year and asked him that very question - his answer below. It's clear that the Irish Govt will need some kind of dual role....that's a serious red line for Unionists. Hard to see Irish govt standing aside... /7
@BorisJohnson @JulianSmithUK @simoncoveney The more you start to think about 'no deal' for Northern Ireland - and for Ireland more broadly - the deeper the waters you get into.
The GFA is a delicate balance that allows both communities to live in parallel constitutional realities. No deal risks making them collide. ENDS
The GFA is a delicate balance that allows both communities to live in parallel constitutional realities. No deal risks making them collide. ENDS
