Thread by @pmdfoster

So. The UK @michaelgove has set out their broad approach to the Irish Protocol - more detail later - but quick take is that it does at least recognise UK obligations in Protocol - even if it interprets them very differently. Also lots is left unclear. /1

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/upl…

@michaelgove This is the legal/fundamental core of the UK argument and why it wants to apply the Protocol in this way - NO infrastructure for GB-NI (even tho it accepts need for checks/docs) and NO export summary decs NI-GB, which is an 'ask'. /2

@michaelgove So this sections covers a LOT of ground. If no infrastructure, then checks on the boat, presumably, that means a LOT of work to do to operationalise this by Jan 1 2021.

Biz is more worried about this stuff btw, than tariffs. Little detail also on VAT system - which is complex /3

So in short, a LOT of devils in not much detail (this was a top-level paper) and we'll see how it plays out.

The EU (see technical note here) as we know has a pretty different view...BUT...at least now there is something to discuss. /4

ec.europa.eu/info/publicati…

As regular readers will know, I've always argued UK has solid point about EU needing to recall its obligations to Good Friday Agreement - as as @michaelgove says - that Protocol says it “should impact as little as
possible on the everyday life of communities”./5

@michaelgove That said, the UK did sign up to a "Northern Ireland only solution" and which does, it seems to me, mean unavoidable cost and differences for NI which - even with easements - may be difficult. Security declarations (which UK won't seek waiver for in FTA) a case in point/6

@michaelgove This response from Manufacturing NI is good summary - acknowledging step forward but also the need for "details and operational guidance" and that time is very, very, very short. But that is true for adjusting Dover-Calais too. Tick-tock. ENDS

https://twitter.com/ManufacturingNI/status/1263089183930961920?s=20