Thread by @pmdfoster

Important move by DUP and Sinn Fein leaders in NI demand pragmatism from EU Commission over NI protocol...fearing new Irish Sea border will drive up prices/cut choice (it will) but can a reasonable balance be found? @MichaelAodhan @ManufacturingNI et al. via @tconnellyRTE 1/

https://twitter.com/tconnellyRTE/status/1325847540353409025

@MichaelAodhan @ManufacturingNI @tconnellyRTE Recall this leaked @hmtreasury assessment of the costs of the Protocol for NI consumers.../2

https://twitter.com/pmdfoster/status/1202960167354216454?s=20

@MichaelAodhan @ManufacturingNI @tconnellyRTE @hmtreasury The government is spending £200m on a 'trader support scheme' to help companies sending goods from GB to NIreland, but even so, unless derogations are given (proportionate to actual risk to Single Market) there is a risk that NI moves to reject deal the deal (as it can) /3

@MichaelAodhan @ManufacturingNI @tconnellyRTE @hmtreasury Note that this letter doesn't come from UK Govt but from Arlene Foster @DUPleader and Michelle O'Neill @moneillsf as a reminder that the EU side shares a joint commitment to making sure the Protocol (designed to protect Good Friday Agreement) does just that.../4

@MichaelAodhan @ManufacturingNI @tconnellyRTE @hmtreasury @DUPleader @moneillsf To be honest, the Protocol was always going to be a huge ask (some in Brussels at the time were sceptical that @BorisJohnson could/should really sign a deal @theresa_may said no PM ever could) but now we he have it, pressure is on EU side to show more pragmatism/5

@MichaelAodhan @ManufacturingNI @tconnellyRTE @hmtreasury @DUPleader @moneillsf @BorisJohnson @theresa_may Trouble is, the UK govt's handling hasn't exactly engendered good faith and good will...starting with rumblings about minimalist interpretation in January this year and moving onto the UK Internal Market bill threat of unilateral application if a deal isn't done /6

@MichaelAodhan @ManufacturingNI @tconnellyRTE @hmtreasury @DUPleader @moneillsf @BorisJohnson @theresa_may But as the two NI leaders say, a zero/zero trade deal only fixes the tariff question...it leaves lots of the regulatory burdens in place...which are likely to grow over time as the UK diverges from EU rulebook.

But flexibility is going to be required by everyone. ENDS