Thread by @DavidHenigUK

A new reality not necessarily to the UK's advantage.

But then I think we've all lost track of what the UK government is actually trying to achieve with the Northern Ireland Protocol. Is ECJ still a red line? EU law? State aid?

https://twitter.com/JennyChapman/status/1461324230721736714

And if the sage is confused, what hope for the rest of us?

https://twitter.com/Sime0nStylites/status/1461338099116613634

The honest version would read "The UK government only signed the NI Protocol to win an election, and we've been trying to get rid of it ever since. Unfortunately the EU and US have seen through our shallow narratives and threats, and still do. We don't know what to do now."

There might be an addendum "Incidentally this government does not particularly respect the Good Friday / Belfast Agreement or EU single market, on which basis we see no contradiction between hard Brexit and Northern Ireland. It is entirely down to us."

Versions of the UK government's narrative on the NI Protocol are also available from the point of view of all of the other players, similarly omitting full appreciation of others. Hence why NI business, with their rather pragmatic and inclusive approach, are most trusted.

Oh, now the trade lawyers are coming on a mission to stop the fun...

https://twitter.com/hhesterm/status/1461342571800588288

So in summary the government is considering using Article 16 of the NI Protocol to achieve something short of the real objective, of scrapping it, which it can't because that's not what it says, and because EU and US won't let us, so plan B except there's no plan B. Or something.

This Article 16 circus is strangely reminiscent of the kind of negotiating genius that brought us the original Northern Ireland protocol, the failed Internal Market Bill provisions, and the TCA that did nothing to resolve NI issues. Wonder if they are in any way related?