Profile picture
, 3 tweets, 1 min read
My Authors
Read all threads
It is patently obvious that effective implementation of Johnson's "great new" NI Protocol (where he gives EU officials rights to operational participation & even command in UK affairs) would be facilitated by an appropriately staffed EU office in Belfast

theguardian.com/politics/2020/…
And as for the Tory claim (predictably supported by the DUP) that any EU office in Belfast would be "divisive"... I've never heard anything so utterly & hilariously hypocritical in my entire life!
But then... we have good reason to suspect that Johnson has no intention of respecting the terms of his own NI Protocol. And he's already made it clear that neither the welfare of NI nor the reconciliation of its people mean anything to him or his English-nationalist Government.
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh.

Keep Current with Michael Dougan

Profile picture

Stay in touch and get notified when new unrolls are available from this author!

Read all threads

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

Twitter may remove this content at anytime, convert it as a PDF, save and print for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video

1) Follow Thread Reader App on Twitter so you can easily mention us!

2) Go to a Twitter thread (series of Tweets by the same owner) and mention us with a keyword "unroll" @threadreaderapp unroll

You can practice here first or read more on our help page!

More from @mdouganlpool see all

Profile picture
Michael Dougan
@mdouganlpool
Good to laugh at post-truth populists. But as myself & incomparable @CR_OBrien wrote of their Brexit tactics: goal isn't to convince anyone to *believe* their lies; it's to make people feel there is no such thing as "truth" anymore = even more dangerous

papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cf…
Today's antics fit that bill perfectly. Cummings tells obvious pack of lies. Johnson says it's all perfectly plausible. Tory minions bleat that it's a media witchhunt. Reality is made to feel blurry. Facts are less important than feelings. "They're all as bad as each other."
Subjectivising fact and evidence, blurring the boundary between truth and lies, making the population cynical and disengaged: that's how the Trumps, Orbans, Bolsonaros and Johnsons wield their power. It's good for a laugh. But it's also a serious threat to our liberal democracy.
Read 3 tweets
Profile picture
Michael Dougan
@mdouganlpool
I've been to lovely Barnard Castle many times and can't think of a better place to visit if I want to test whether I'm fit to drive: winding country roads, single lane bridges, busy high street, dispensable locals, extra points for child in tow - proper Krypton Factor stuff...
But just by coincidence, it's also great for a relaxing day out with family or friends - pretty old centre, amazing Bowes Museum, great half-ruined castle, impressive river views... oh... EXCEPT DURING THE LOCKDOWN WHEN YOU'RE NOT MEANT TO BLOODY GO.
Though possibly more amusing than Cummings' Mea No-waya Culpa? All the brainwashed rightwing numpties falling over themselves to crown his innocent head with a garland of bluebells picked from daddy's woodland estate while denouncing elitist-lefties for their fake-news witchhunt.
Read 3 tweets
Profile picture
Michael Dougan
@mdouganlpool
UK proposals for implementing Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland deserve detailed scrutiny. No doubt the Commission will soon oblige! Below = some first thoughts from me (moving from the general to the specific) pending more critical reading & cross-checking:
1) UK redefines purpose of Protocol in selective & self-serving manner. Apparently main purpose = to protect UK customs territory & UK internal market. Really? That only emerged under Johnson. Before, main purposes = to prevent hard border, safeguard peace & protect EU market
2) Moreover, UK provides own definition of what a “customs territory” actually means (as opposed to an “international border” apparently) – basically just making stuff up & then claiming that that’s the basis on which the Protocol *must* now be interpreted and applied. Oh really?
Read 14 tweets

Embed code for your website

×
Follow Us on Twitter!

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!

This site is made by just two indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3.00/month or $30.00/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Too expensive? Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal Become our Patreon

Thank you for your support!