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The No 10 briefing machine is in full spate today on the 'slice n dice' backstop.
Still MASSIVE exasperation on EU side that this plan doesn't address customs, which is cornerstone of effective border management regime. /1
Still MASSIVE exasperation on EU side that this plan doesn't address customs, which is cornerstone of effective border management regime. /1
Why? Well it goes back to this three-dimensional matrix, elegantly expressed by @hayward_katy in her paper here...factor NI out of EU customs regime and its not hard to see how it breaks down. /2 
@hayward_katy Take away the customs pillar and the need for checks massively increases..../3
@hayward_katy This is why the UK suggested exempting small (below VAT-rated) businesses in the original MaxFac plan - coz it KNEW it didn't work. But exemptions don't fly either, coz when u stack them up, with divergent UK on other side, it's basically an open door. /4
@hayward_katy So then you get into 'tech' - computers, block chain and what are sometimes glibly referred to as "trusted trader schemes" or Authorised Economic Operators. But data/declarations don't make borders disappear...look at Canada/US, Norway/Sweden/5
@hayward_katy So what about trusted trader schemes? In practice they're massively unwieldly - just look at the security/inspection requirements here qualify. And then consider them in NI context. /6
@hayward_katy What's being proposed isn't gonna work - not because the Irish are being difficult, but because it just doesn't deliver an open border. Not even close...and it even more so given UK's new intention to be highly divergent. That makes even can-kicking high-risk for Dublin/EU /7
@hayward_katy As for 'stormont locks', the UK can choose to manage the backstop internally as it sees fit - can agree it will follow Stormon in refusing to follow new EU regs - but will have to accept consequences.
Anything more, then the backstop is, well, no longer a backstop. /8
Anything more, then the backstop is, well, no longer a backstop. /8
@hayward_katy The incoherence of this stuff makes people on the other side question how serious UK is. How can it not?
This SPS-only offer? Does that mean TWO borders? One in Irish Sea ports for SPS, and a land border for the rest? However set back? What about mixed containers? /9
This SPS-only offer? Does that mean TWO borders? One in Irish Sea ports for SPS, and a land border for the rest? However set back? What about mixed containers? /9
@hayward_katy Understand @BorisJohnson bought nothing to the table in his meeting with @JunckerEU.
It's one thing playing cards close to chest, another - after three years - there not being a properly cogent plan for how 'alternative arrangements' deliver what UK wants. /10
It's one thing playing cards close to chest, another - after three years - there not being a properly cogent plan for how 'alternative arrangements' deliver what UK wants. /10
@hayward_katy @BorisJohnson @JunckerEU The Hayward paper is here if anyone still wants to read it. Think I'm going to the bar. /11
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