Thread by @ShepherdWales

A few points on the #NIProtocol that some U.K. commentators would do well to reflect on 🧵

1) the NIP was signed as part of the WA alongside the Political Declaration before the trade deal was agreed

It was agreed before the 2019 GE under conditions of Benn Act

Signed post GE

2) The PD states that any future trade deal should protect the internal markets of both the EU and the UK

The current implementation of it by the EU is only protecting the internal market of the EU and undermining the UKs

3) The NIP contains within it article 16-which allows unilateral safeguarding action

Implementing it IS NOT BREAKING INTERNATIONAL LAW

Both the EU and U.K. agreed to the clause being contained within

4) The NIP also contains article 13(8) which clearly shows that the NIP was never intended to be static. Amendments were expected and provisions contained within

The EU saying it can’t be renegotiated is a falsehood

It CAN be renegotiated the EU just DON’T WANT to

5) At the point of signing the trade deal ‘At risk’ goods were only meant to be goods going U.K.-EU via NI. Not goods going GB-NI

6) The NIP isn’t the problem, the implementation of it by the EU is and it’s driving a coach and horses through the consent mechanism of the GFA

7) Those saying it’s all the PMs fault and he didn’t know what he signed are being disingenuous and not helping the very delicate situation

Fact is: we knew what we signed but it isn’t being implemented in the way that the protocol &PD themselves say it should be

#Brexit #NI

Some are saying that PM with 80 seat majority could’ve overturned the Benn Act,not signed the WA&PD&just gone no deal

Yes he could’ve

BUT

He went to the country with THIS oven ready deal, good to go

IF he then ripped it up he’d have broken his main election manifesto promise

Not sure that would’ve gone down well with the electorate who had given him the 80 seat majority- many of whom wouldn’t have supported a no deal Brexit and wouldn’t have trusted him to deliver on his promises ever again

He’d have been toast

He didn’t need to sign a trade deal at the end of transition. We could’ve gone to Australia terms BUT the deal we did get was much better than that

As I said before: the issue isn’t the protocol it’s the way it’s being implemented with a disregard for the UK internal market

I don’t pretend to know all the intricacies of all of the deals but I at least read them at the time

Many who are kicking off have never read them and just take a side because they voted remain or leave

The fact is there are two internal markets (EU and UK) that BOTH sides agreed to protect under the terms of these agreements and only one is currently being protected

And only one side is being accused of acting in bad faith…

Make of that what you will 🙄

#protocol #brexit