Thread by @hayward_katy

I think what the world needs right now is 4 slides putting the #Brexit border issue as simply as possible. So here goes...

Here is a very simple outline of what border controls mean for different types of border with the EU, i.e. if in the EEA, if in a Customs Union, with a FTA, with nowt. The spectrum is vast. This is just the basics, with a focus on goods.

This, again, is a simple outline of what a customs border requires, both for those moving goods across it and for those charged with enforcing it.
It is intended to show that a 'hard border' is not just determined by its visibility. And this is before we even touch on NTBs etc.

Here we have a very basic outline of what 'smart border technology' can do and what it requires.
It is primarily a means of enhancing efficiency.
It cannot make a hard border 'frictionless'.
It requires physical infrastructure. It does not obviate the need for inspections etc

And here are, as I see it, the main scenarios we are looking at for UK/EU borders post-Brexit + a summary of what each would mean for GB/NI & NI/IRL borders.

IMO the draft Protocol is narrow interpretation of Joint Report.
UK in a CU wd be minimum to keep E/W open as possible.

In sum: a customs border is a big deal. No technology can magic away that fact.

Any solution relies on a clear distinction between constitutional/political borders & economic/regulatory ones.

[Each of those slides is deliberately simple but let me know of any glaring errors!]