Thread by @BrigidLaffan

Lots of discussion in my timeline on the imbalanced nature of N.Irl Protocol-a nationalist solution & a weakness of British statecraft according to @TomMcTague & a miscalculation re. protection of single market @SirSocks @BrigidLaffan

1. No appreciation of the consequences of U.K. decision to leave EU for island of Ireland. Not a live issue in the ref campaign & UK negotiators did not fully grasp the complexity of issues until well after ref. @BrigidLaffan

2. Theresa Villiers when still SOS for N. irl. Week after ref says ‘we can keep a border that is as open & free-flowing as it is today’ -she was correct but her idea of how that could be achieved was way off @DefraGovUK @BrigidLaffan

3. She expected a cost UK-Irish deal that EU would endorse regardless of consequences-HMG did not take Ireland’s membership of EU & single market seriously. Underestimated Irish statecraft & commitment to EU membership & open border. @BrigidLaffan

4. @TomMcTague concludes that Protocol is result of Republican threats. A consideration but completely misunderstands border area. A thick band of yellow on Border voted remain-leave DUP heartlands far away. Consent necessary to manage this border. Not available @BrigidLaffan

5. This is the map. @BrigidLaffan

6. @theresa_may cares about the Union & was honourable in her Art 50 letter-no return to hard borders of past, limit damage to Republic & protect GFA. @BrigidLaffan

7. She agreed an all U.K. CU to reduce friction but ERG a& @duponline voted it down. Why? Driven by ideology not care for Unionism. @BrigidLaffan

8. @BorisJohnson had choices to make & he made them-opted for GB sovereignty without any consideration for N. Ireland. Leaving SM & CU means a border. That border would have less friction if U.K. would agree SPS arrangement but that means some alignment. @BrigidLaffan

9. Responsibility for the Brexit outcomes in GB & N. Ireland lies squarely with #HMG. Bad outcomes but there is no good Brexit for island of Ireland.