Brexit discussion thread XIV (Please read OP before posting)

The uks attitude to the protocol from day 1 was to ignore it, fail to implement it and use it if required to stoke up tension when politically neccessary!

I dont think anyone is being over zealpus over their desctiption of the attitude and behaviour of the uk government to the NIP!

1. There is a qualitative difference between saying (e.g.) "you know what, our democracy could be improved upon" and "we want to tear down democracy and replace it with a totalitarian dictatorship".

There is also a qualitative difference between saying "we can afford to relax some parts of the protocol" and "we will unilaterally tear it down unless it is fundamentally changed in our favour ".

2. The Brits negotiated & agreed the original protocol. The protocol imposed lots of obligations on them. They were the only ones who could know what, how and whether they could actually comply - and they swore blind "trust us, we know what we are doing, we will definitely be able to do this - just give us these other concessions".

In relation to implementation, the Brits aren't even doing the most elementary parts of the protocol - such as sharing information or attempting to purchase locations for border inspection facilities. I.e. this is not merely "trying but in good faith failing" on the part of the Brits- this is calculated reneging on freely entered into obligations which the UK never intended to fulfill.

They're trying to be diplomatic. The NI protocol was tweaked since it was originally designed so it's no criticism of how it is currently implemented

Stephen Collins of the Irish Times has written a new book with information on the actual EU position on the border as I stated over and over again as the usual suspects denied the gravity of the situation.

As for British duplicity which continues unabated and sadly it seems Irish politicians have fallen for it with their ludicrous outpouring of graciousness at the "apologies" this week, be careful.

The Brits know full well Ireland's situation and how vulnerable we are to single market expulsion. So of course they are very sorry but still continue as normal.

I'd take all of this with a ton of salt and consider the motives closely.

May I remind you that "Ireland is the EU", but it is very far from "all of the EU".

We - the EU - will not give any 'sweets' away before the UK is committed to pay in full - in money and in contributions to the common good of all the EU.

The UK and its politicians should start with being factual, behaving like adults, and be 100% trustworthy e.g. pacta sunt servanda.

Stop thinking what the UK wants and consider what the much larger and much more powerful EU demands of England - for now and for a longer term expanded relation.

Lars 😀

Is that article saying anything that anybody didn't know?

Checks / controls were required, we knew that. That would have to be

1: done by the UK.

2: If not 1 then they'd have to be done by Ireland.

3: If not 1 & 2 then they'd have to be done at ports receiving goods from Ireland.

This is a surprise? The negotiators achieved 1. I don't blame our politicians not mentioning 2. They'd be crucified by some sections of the media and political parties down here.

As for our politicians falling for the UKs "graciousness". It's called being political. Most countries will be polite and civil to their counterparts when you're trying to achieve an outcome. WTF would you want them to do? Say we don't believe you and we don't trust you? Let them think we believe them, although I'd give them more credit than that, and that it's in good faith. Great if it is but nobody thinks the ERG or the UK government are on the Irish side.

Only one country has tried being pigheaded and playing to their local populace over the last few years. How did that work out for the UK? Would you want our politicians to be like that?