Thread by @prospect_clark

In one short para you can see why this is so problematic to Brussels, Dublin & anyone with the mildest nationalist leanings in the North

Unlike May’s deal Ireland not only has to accept a new border/checks for customs, but also the likelihood of this border becoming harder in a few years if Stormont decides to put the British Union ahead of the European Union

And, by the way, London now positively planning to diverge from European regs on goods, which looked unlikely under May’s plan & was ensured against by the backstop

This divergence means borders have to do more work to keep the single market meaningful — suddenly customs inspectors might have to check, sat, that a child’s car seat made in or imported through Britain is OK.

So the border arrives then looks set to get harder. And remind us what London has “conceded” again? Some all-Ireland standards on food & animals, that will look less attractive to Europe than May’s deal.

So the only concession is from hard Unionist rhetoric. In essence it’s just a gamble that getting tougher with Europe & Dublin will jolt it into going soft.

Never say never, but begins to look more plausible if read as the opening move in a bland game

*blame* game. But I suppose it could still prove to be bland