Ireland's EU Commissioner @PhilHoganEU has issued scathing criticism of Brexiteers during a speech to Seanad Eireann (the Irish Senate), accusing them of wanting a civil war in the Tory Party which "leaves no building standing"
Hogan: "One thing the Brexit story has shown is that the UK does not have an alternative policy to EU membership. Not by a long shot. Even Brexiteers are happy to keep one foot in the EU: security, transport agreements +continued participation in some EU agencies spring to mind
"But there is another, strategic, level for us to consider. When the EU talks security eyes normally turn east or south. For us, bordering the Atlantic Ocean security questions sometimes seem remote. But is this a moment to review our thinking on these wider, strategic questions?
"Despite our secure position in the west, we [Ireland] have come under a security threat – from Brexit. A threat that the Taoiseach and the government are resisting by pressing, pressing, pressing until a soft border between us and the north is guaranteed."
Hogan: "Brexit can only be declared over when the future relationship between the EU and UK is known. This is perhaps most urgent in relation to the Irish border. The UK has twice said it will be a soft border...
"And PM May said in her Mansion House speech that the UK wasn’t about to walk away and leave it to us and the EU to deal with the This is positive. But we are still stuck fast in the UK’s self-imposed contradiction between its reassurance of a soft border and its hardline demand
Hogan: The UK wants to keep its red lines, understands that a free trade agreement means a hard border + is trying to escape by “inventing” a new type of border. It says a soft border can be assured – even in an FTA through new customs practices and modern technology.
"The EU has looked at the UK’s ideas; is not convinced that they can give us the border security we need, within the Brexit timescale; and has sent the UK back to the drawing board. Meanwhile it insists on the back-stop of a customs union for the whole island."
Hogan: "The EU must be satisfied the UK’s invention will work or it is the back-stop. The deadline is set for June. No decision, no Withdrawal Treaty; no Withdrawal Treaty, no transition."
Hogan says what's required is "a landing zone involving some form of customs arrangement and softening of the red lines."
"Or do the Brexiteers want to carry on the civil war until there’s not a building left standing on the other side? Is this the sort of victory they seek? If so, they don’t only endanger the UK’s economy but its society also."
Hogan dismisses Global Britain idea: Outside the EU, the UK will see its standing and importance reduced. Global Britain will feel that pain. Size matters in trade. A trade deal with the US will be very difficult to negotiate due to "America First" doctrine.
Hogan: The US will certainly seek market access in areas that will bring the UK in direct conflict with European standards, for example on genetically-modified crops, hormone beef, chlorine-washed chicken.
Hogan dismisses the Commonwealth option: no single negotiating partner, not geographically compact. "Commonwealth countries have their own demands – India is determined to keep its high tariffs on Scotch whisky, wd probably want the UK to ease restrictions on work visas."
Hogan describes @Jacob_Rees_Mogg call to threaten Irish beef exports with high tariffs as "irresponsible and unhelpful."
