Read on Twitter
A bad move I suspect the EU will come to regret. https://twitter.com/dijdowell/status/1355177972953739264
The usual reminder to annoy partisans that more than one thing can be true at a time. AstraZeneca can have failed to deliver, the Commission handle it badly and panic, the EU still not be on the verge of collapse, the UK successful on vaccines, and still not guaranteed success.
Oh, and a supportive media or at least a very good media management operation *really* helps a government.
The Commission's obvious misstep on Northern Ireland today allows me to quickly recall my piece from earlier this week praising Michel Barnier for delivering a Brexit outcome both sides could declare a success. That took some doing. Easy to get it wrong. https://borderlex.net/2021/01/27/perspectives-lessons-from-michel-barniers-success-as-eu-negotiator-with-britain/
Major Commission blunder that has turned a difficult situation into a crisis. Suspect this will be changed (it should be), but damage done. https://twitter.com/JP_Biz/status/1355231148763475974
In my years attending Brussels meetings one of the EU's secret strengths was the ability of Member States to correct initial Commission mistakes. Recall a time 20 or so had to intervene in a meeting to do this. Mistakes more likely without https://twitter.com/RaoulRuparel/status/1355236160663072770
Now if only the UK hadn't made our own unenforced error on Ambassador status for the EU...
Oh great, return of Brexiteer attack the EU over Northern Ireland twitter. The last thing those who have worked so hard there to implement the protocol need.
UK / NI gov should always be ready with a realistic wish list. But we still have to make the protocol work.
UK / NI gov should always be ready with a realistic wish list. But we still have to make the protocol work.
Suspect now it won't be. But some damage still done. Don't think the UK government will take advantage because we aren't really set up to negotiate, but real opportunity otherwise to suggest some helpful changes to protocol implementation... https://twitter.com/ShonaMurray_/status/1355242573284175880
Reckon the Commission will have to quickly add a 'Northern Ireland' consideration to every decision and regulation. Otherwise they will make more such mistakes particularly when under pressure.
All of this as well, of course. But bear in mind all treaties get tested. The Northern Ireland protocol isn't about to collapse, and the UK still won't get a free go at invoking Article 16, particularly given the Irish response. We get some capital though https://twitter.com/pmdfoster/status/1355227213168316416
