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What annoys me most is how simple things could have been/be explained to the British people by the opposition & media
Leaving the customs union causes an *automatic* (costly red tape) customs duties (policed) border
Leaving the customs union causes an *automatic* (costly red tape) customs duties (policed) border
Leaving the single market causes an *automatic* (costly red tape) regulated (policed) standards border
These returned automatic "policed" border checkpoints across Ireland all agree could not (because of the GFA) happen.
Withdrawal agreement was designed as a stand alone treaty
These returned automatic "policed" border checkpoints across Ireland all agree could not (because of the GFA) happen.
Withdrawal agreement was designed as a stand alone treaty
*regardless* of the future trading relationship, to prevent any side using this sensitive border (& EU citizens) as an amoral bargaining chip.
If no future agreement agreed, then the original WA *agreed* had the default position of keeping all of UK inc NI in the customs union
If no future agreement agreed, then the original WA *agreed* had the default position of keeping all of UK inc NI in the customs union
& legal dynamic alignment on standards preventing visible policed borders.
It was rejected by UK parliament.
Johnson's revised WA "triumph" had the default position of full EU customs/tariffs into NI & legal goods standards for NI....with GB alone, allowed divergence if chosen
It was rejected by UK parliament.
Johnson's revised WA "triumph" had the default position of full EU customs/tariffs into NI & legal goods standards for NI....with GB alone, allowed divergence if chosen
Either way EU full customs controls (if not tariffs) & legal goods standards/SPS controls at least for GB to NI movements
This was the oven ready deal accepted by parliament; campaigned on by Johnson and signed by him/his new GE winning UK government
This was the oven ready deal accepted by parliament; campaigned on by Johnson and signed by him/his new GE winning UK government
As the year progressed, Johnson decided he did not like the default position treaty he had signed up to. .
He decided to unilaterally amend the treaty; breaking international law
(Imagine if EU did same)
He decided to unilaterally amend the treaty; breaking international law
(Imagine if EU did same)
...oh ...
& of course UK doesn't have the customs & regulatory capacity for life outside the customs union (after nearly 50 years inside) & outside the single market (after nearly 30).
UK doesn't have the needed suitably equipped/space RoRo ports nor the extra needed 50,000 staff
& of course UK doesn't have the customs & regulatory capacity for life outside the customs union (after nearly 50 years inside) & outside the single market (after nearly 30).
UK doesn't have the needed suitably equipped/space RoRo ports nor the extra needed 50,000 staff
