Profile picture
Alberto Nardelli @AlbertoNardelli
, 5 tweets, 2 min read Read on Twitter
A short thread. There are valid arguments for a customs union with the EU, and there are valid arguments against one. However, wherever you sit on this debate, everyone should agree that MPs, MEPs or commentators being deceitful with the British public is appalling
I spoke to Swiss customs today. This is what they told me:

- there are 16 customs stations on the border
- about 24,000 lorries cross the border each day
- most for a short time, but *every* lorry has to stop for customs declarations
The Swiss Federal Customs Administration even sent me photos. You can see quite clearly what looks a lot like the "physical infrastructure" that the UK and the EU don't want to see in Northern Ireland
Those that constantly, and all too often knowingly, parrot untruths should be ashamed. Those that consistently fail to counter untruths in the name of "balance" should realise that in reality it enables false equivalence – and in the longer term, misinformation damages democracy
And this just in from Swedish customs:

- there are 13 customs offices along the border between Norway and Sweden (7 Norwegian, 6 Swedish)

- about 750,000 trucks crossed the border in 2017. Around 400,000 had to stop to show paperwork or for controls
Missing some Tweet in this thread?
You can try to force a refresh.

Like this thread? Get email updates or save it to PDF!

Subscribe to Alberto Nardelli
Profile picture

Get real-time email alerts when new unrolls are available from this author!

This content may be removed anytime!

Twitter may remove this content at anytime, convert it as a PDF, save and print for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video

1) Follow Thread Reader App on Twitter so you can easily mention us!

2) Go to a Twitter thread (series of Tweets by the same owner) and mention us with a keyword "unroll" @threadreaderapp unroll

You can practice here first or read more on our help page!

More from @AlbertoNardelli see all

Profile picture
Brexit. Things are getting worse.

1. The withdrawal agreement is needed regardless of the shape of the future relationship. The withdrawal agreement on the table, including the backstop, will not be renegotiated. EU27 cannot be clearer on this point – and this is the key point.
2. Throughout these negotiations, so many problems have been created by N10’s inability & unwillingness to set realistic expectations, explain tradeoffs and communicate clearly. As the PM runs out of road, the confusion over the withdrawal agreement is the latest example
3. The political declaration allows for a full spectrum of future options, but it is not clear what kind of relationship the UK wants. This will require a proper debate on tradeoffs (and years of negotiation). However, whatever that option: you need the withdrawal agreement
Read 7 tweets
Profile picture
About last night:

1) May went to the meeting seeking legally-binded assurances with half-baked proposals to placate hard Brexiteers & DUP

These have been rejected repeatedly for obvious reasons. Backstop is an insurance policy not “a trap.” Not EU27 problem many MPs ignore this
2) May was asked by several leaders, and, I am told, most emphatically by Chancellor Merkel: 'what is it that you want?'

The prime minister was unable to provide an answer to this question with any precision.
That is where May is at in a nutshell: Nearly two years after triggering article 50, the UK does not have an answer to the question, "what do you want?"

There are also concerns that the UK – across the political spectrum – has no idea what kind of future relationship it wants.
Read 7 tweets
Profile picture
EUCO draft Brexit conclusions: I understand that paragraph 5 (EU stands ready to examine whether any further assurances can be provided..) has gone.
Par. 1, which wasn't in square brackets, is of course unchanged: "The Union stands by this agreement and intends to proceed with its ratification. It is not open for renegotiation."
Par 2 unchanged: EU reiterates wish for 'as close as possible partnership.." 'stands ready to embark on prep immediately after signature of WA to ensure negotiations can start asap after withdrawal'. Understand 27 discussed starting prep work on future deal as soon as UK ratifies
Read 12 tweets

Related threads

Profile picture
1/ Another customs thread. This time on #customs formalities and #Backstop . Backstop envisages a #customsunion with simplifications. It mentions that a movement certificate, A.UK, will be required. No mention of customs declarations.
2/ Movement certificate demonstrates that goods are eligible for trade under a customs union. Is certified by e.g. a Chamber of Commerce. Declarations do more than that. They are entered into the national customs system and enable customs authorities to collect customs data.
3/ Much more info on a declaration than on a movement cert. Some of the most important fields include commodity code, value of goods, country of origin and customs procedure. Would imagine the UK would still like to collect this data for various reasons even under backstop.
Read 9 tweets
Profile picture
How @DailyMailUK twisted the results of @Survation poll and created a nice little frontpage to support Theresa May with some beautiful YESes in red and some lovely supporting words, even though the front page does not actually reflects the results of the poll...
So, let's have a closer look at some of the questions asked and the ACTUAL answers of voters...
Q1. When UK Govt's negotiations over the terms of Britain's exit from #EU are complete, would you support or oppose holding a People's Vote - a referendum - asking the public their view?

- Support 48% 👈
- Oppose 34%
- Don't know 18%

Large margin 14% to support a #PeoplesVote!
Read 18 tweets
Profile picture
Thread re Prime Minister on #BBCtoday @BBCr4today re #EU just now: she got her catchphrase in early and followed the classic media training advice 'repeat, repeat, repeat'. 3 years ago it was 'Long-term economic plan', now it is 'when we leave the EU free movement will end'
or 'when we leave the EU we will take back control of our money, our laws and our borders'. All of which is based on fallacy - claim of net out-flow of money has been demonstrated clearly many times, we elect our MEPs and the MPs who debate the EU regs and we have border controls
Astonishingly disdainful way she thinks of UK workers - they will be trained for the low skilled jobs currently done by people from EU27 countries, but we will still allow people in if they will have salary of £50k. She had no plan for immediate recruitment e.g. for care homes
Read 25 tweets
Profile picture
Those who are attending the #PeoplesVote march have every right voice their opinion. However as a Soft Remainer who voted and campaigned for Remain I have always made clear that I think pushing for a Second Referendum is a bad strategy for those of us opposed to a Hard Brexit.
Those pushing for a Second Referendum have yet to consider the possibility of a Second Referendum leading to an even Bigger win for Leave. Should this occur Right-wing Brexiteers would see it as an even bigger mandate for their deluded fantasy of a No Deal/Hard Brexit scenario.
Furthermore a Second Referendum campaign would be a carbon copy of the first. It would be filled with the same lies, racism, nastiness, divisiveness and bile that blighted the first back in 2016. It would be a gift to the Far-right and a rallying call for them to unite behind.
Read 9 tweets
Profile picture
This is gonna be long, but I think it's worth it. A well-regarded twitter poster, let’s call him Giorgio, has recently publish a thread stating among other things as follows. “The pathways to stopping or delaying Brexit are blocked.
But once the mandate is discharged, the pathways to UK rejoining, or being in a close association agreement with EU, within the single market and customs union, will be open, with no obstacles.”
This approach annoys me for two reasons, one because Giorgio seems to be attempting to cajole Remainers to put all activity on hold until we actually leave the #EU.
Read 17 tweets
Profile picture
“Customs union” is a technical term, @bbcnickrobinson. “Customs arrangement” is not.

A customs union has the same external tariffs on imports from outside the group.

A customs arrangement can be any kind of arrangement involving customs. Could be anything.

Thread 1/7
What is a customs union?

The WTO’s simple definition wto.org/english/thewto…

2/7 GLOSSARY TERM — customs union —Members apply a common external tariff (e.g. the European Union)
Customs unions are defined in Par 8, Art24 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT, on trade in goods)

wto.org/english/docs_e…

It applies “substantially the same duties and other regulations of commerce … to the trade of territories not included in the union”

3/7 Screenshot of GATT Article 24 (XXIV) paragraph 8
Read 7 tweets

Trending hashtags

#territories #discrimination #excise #components #customs #Italeave #oranges #EU #half #pay #quote #footwear #Continental #drugs #PeoplesVote #global #PAM #gearbox #EU27 #product #external #criminal #TeamPatriot #premium #Swiss

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!

This site is made by just three indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member and get exclusive features!

Premium member ($3.00/month or $30.00/year)

Too expensive? Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal Become our Patreon

Thank you for your support!