Now that “Norn Iron-only backstop” seems back on the agenda, here is a short thread to recall what we were all saying, back in Feb 2018, when Commission first published its proposals (TF50 (2018) 33)…
Core plan = establishment of “common regulatory area” between EU and NI, i.e. area without internal borders in which free movement of goods is ensured and North-South cooperation is protected…
Plan contained detailed provisions, e.g. on NI inclusion within EU customs territory; continuing FM of goods between EU and NI; trade in agricultural/fisheries products; single electricity market; relevant environmental standards; state aid…
Plus provisions on governance of “common regulatory area”; enforcement and dispute settlement for rights / obligations; safeguard measures for EU and UK; protection of EU and UK financial interests.
Important point: Commission proposals intended to be read in light of UK promises in Joint Report of Dec 2017, e.g. guarantee of unfettered (though essentially one way) access to GB market for all NI businesses.
Terms of Commission’s NI-only backstop plan were pretty clear. Its pros and cons very much depend on one’s perspective (in some cases: ability to grasp evidence / engage in rational analysis). Here are a few sample points - which you might like or dislike for your own reasons.
E.g. NI-only backstop does allow HMG to deliver on promise to leave EU, Single Market + Customs Union while also avoiding hard border on island of Ireland. [Of course: whether leaving EU, SM, CU is land of milk and honey or route to hard right dystopia is another matter…]
But NI-only backstop does mean HMG has to break promise that NI be treated in same way as GB. Though important to state: it was always inevitable that one of HMG's inherently contradictory promises would have to be broken (sorry, PM, but you cannot have your cake and eat it…).
For NI: true to say that this backstop entails certain problems of voice, scrutiny and control. Not that NI doesn't have such problems already. But +side: NI is being offered uniquely privileged economic position based on full access to EU Single Market as well as to GB market.
Also true: NI-only backstop = introduction / expansion of checks on goods by sea / air from GB to NI. But EU’s view: similar checks already happen. And much easier to do at / en route with small no of ports / airports rather than on road traffic across entire Irish land border.
Claim that NI-backstop = existential threat to UK greeted with scepticism: NI already treated differently from GB for all sorts of financial / regulatory purposes. But does beg question: if NI is allowed special privileges, why not Scotland or Wales? Indeed London or Liverpool?
If you want to read a bit more, you can have a look at a couple of online posts I made during the debate, e.g.
news.liverpool.ac.uk/2018/10/23/pro…
Hope that’s helpful in understanding the current developments.
news.liverpool.ac.uk/2018/10/23/pro…
Hope that’s helpful in understanding the current developments.
Sorry to those not sure what "Norn Iron" means. It's just how lots of us in Belfast say "Northern Ireland". So it is. For those who don't know the place, it is rather lovely. Take good old Ballyhornan: every Belfastard's childhood idyll... 
