Parsing @faisalislam scoop of Boris Johnson saying in letter to May on Ireland the words: "Even if a hard border is re-introduced..." Boom. /1
news.sky.com/story/boris-jo…
news.sky.com/story/boris-jo…
This could not have come at a more sensitive moment.
Tomorrow the EU will publish highly contentions draft of EU withdrawal treaty that will force the Irish border issue. (EXC deets to come) /2
Tomorrow the EU will publish highly contentions draft of EU withdrawal treaty that will force the Irish border issue. (EXC deets to come) /2
Reminder. The December deal set out three ways for UK to make good in commitment to avoid a hard border in Northern Ireland.
A. EU-UK relationship deal
B. Technology and devolution
C. “Full alignment” as necessary to protect all island economy. /3
A. EU-UK relationship deal
B. Technology and devolution
C. “Full alignment” as necessary to protect all island economy. /3
The Boris letter seems to be a plea that B can work, even if it means a bit more checking than now.
EU already dismissed this as “Narnia option”.
This leak will expose Boris and Brexiteers - who might trade Good Friday Ag for Brexit - to fury. /4
EU already dismissed this as “Narnia option”.
This leak will expose Boris and Brexiteers - who might trade Good Friday Ag for Brexit - to fury. /4
It will also throw spotlight back on Option C, which as we reported this AM, will basically leave NI as exclave of the EU if it’s defined as the EU suggests.
That would leave Dublin effectively representing part of U.K. at EU Council. That’s nuts. /5
That would leave Dublin effectively representing part of U.K. at EU Council. That’s nuts. /5
Option C as defined in Tom’s text is “totally unacceptable” per UK source.
My sources say there will be Five Chapters in the Protocol:
- rights of individuals
- movement of people/CTA
- common regulatory area, for goods
- institutional provisions
- general provisions
/6
My sources say there will be Five Chapters in the Protocol:
- rights of individuals
- movement of people/CTA
- common regulatory area, for goods
- institutional provisions
- general provisions
/6
The scope of acquis covered is massive:
VAT, fisheries, agriculture, electricity markets, SPS (animal/Vet standard), environment, state aid etc etc
Per source: “it looks like the EU is trying to seize part of U.K.”. /7
VAT, fisheries, agriculture, electricity markets, SPS (animal/Vet standard), environment, state aid etc etc
Per source: “it looks like the EU is trying to seize part of U.K.”. /7
So why the leak? My take?
Well, if Option B is for the birds and Option C is a land grab, that brings us to A. The future relationship.
...and the Customs Union. /8
Well, if Option B is for the birds and Option C is a land grab, that brings us to A. The future relationship.
...and the Customs Union. /8
Per EU source.
“The Customs Union doesn’t solve everything, but without it, you can’t solve anything.”
If U.K. is member of CU then devolution and SPS alignment etc all start to look much less like unicorns.
/9
“The Customs Union doesn’t solve everything, but without it, you can’t solve anything.”
If U.K. is member of CU then devolution and SPS alignment etc all start to look much less like unicorns.
/9
The EU, per @StefaanDeRynck to me, wants to force decisions on the U.K.
A,B or C, where B is a 🦄 and C is pure poison.
Someone just gave that process a hefty shove tonight.
10/ENDS
A,B or C, where B is a 🦄 and C is pure poison.
Someone just gave that process a hefty shove tonight.
10/ENDS
