Busy day for Protocol on IRL/NI. Already said earlier today what needs to be said about Belfast High Court ruling (though reaction of Brexitists could still fill an entire psychiatric conference...). Now, some brief comments on this afternoon’s Commission announcement, voila:
1) obviously very good news to see certain temporary measures on foodstuffs (I won’t need to smuggle my ham sandwich over on the ferry this weekend...); as well as other more lasting adjustments (eg on trade in medicines, need for extra car insurance docs, status of guidedogs...)
2) but on core issue, of UK’s legal duty to enforce basic EU customs rules on GB trade into NI, this really is only a temporary fix: doesn’t resolve need for UK to start doing its job properly; whether that’s by agreeing to regulatory alignment or just enforcing the agreed rules
3) by the way: so much for the “genius of the free market”! Even if we make some allowance for UK traders foolishly believing Johnson’s initial lies, they’ve still had plenty of time to adjust by now. Protocol = adapt your supply chains. Otherwise, you’re part of the problem too
4) more importantly: Commission announcement doesn’t solve underlying challenges facing EU/IRL/NI. 1st, an ideological & untrustworthy UK regime willing to use NI as proxy in its manufactured confrontations with EU - a cynical game designed to shore up Johnson's domestic support
5) And 2nd, an increasingly belligerent loyalist movement in NI itself that refuses to accept any responsibility for its own disastrous Brexit strategy & instead positively magnifies dangers of Johnson's strategy: whipping up exaggeration, resentment, fear & hostility.
6) DUP & Co, just admit. Any Brexit was going to cause serious trouble for NI. Tories’ Hard Brexit = worst possible outcome, with NI offered up as sacrificial lamb. If you want to oppose Johnson’s Protocol, then offer a credible alternative. What’s that? Yip - deafening silence.
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