NI / ROI border - again...

[The Agrarian]

Brexit: DUP endorses Johnson's offer to European Union

The Irish PM says it does not "fully meet the agreed objectives of the backstop".

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[The Agrarian]

Score for the EU. Reg alignment.

I'm surmising that this is insignificant in the grand scheme of things, as any future trade deal likely includes some sort of harmonisation of standards?

 

[bobk]

Reaction soon from the EU , hopefully they will say this is a basis to commence , they are beginning to realise this matter needs putting to bed .

 

[caveman]

I reckon Leo and his pals will come to like Boris’s proposals and when the rest of the EU reject them, he will veto Boris’s request for an extension.
Sorted.

 

[bobk]

I reckon Leo and his pals will come to like Boris’s proposals and when the rest of the EU reject them, he will veto Boris’s request for an extension.
Sorted.

Interesting plan Baldrick .

 

[M-J-G]

Why are the Ulster Unionists so opposed to it?

 

[alex04w]

Why are the Ulster Unionists so opposed to it?

Unionists opposed May's deal because:-
1 it was not leave. It kept the whole of the UK under EU rules.
2 it gave all the power to the EU. The UK could not leave until the EU said so.

This deal contains much the same details as May's deal, but:-
1 it has an ene date / on going review dates
2 it returns power to the UK as the UK (NI assembly) can vote on how long the interim state will last.

Nationalists loved May's deal but hate this one. They wanted/still want to use Brexit to further their aims of a united Ireland.

 

[james ds]

Why are the Ulster Unionists so opposed to it?

Ms foster opposes everything , there is nothing to suit her.

 

[bobk]

Ms foster opposes everything , there is nothing to suit her.

She's endorsed this one

 

[caveman]

Ms foster opposes everything , there is nothing to suit her.

Ms Foster is backing Boris’s deal.
(Think there's a bung in the offing though).

 

[bobk]

Ms Foster is backing Boris’s deal.
(Think there's a bung in the offing though).

Will it be bigger than Leo's ?

 

[M-J-G]

Unionists opposed May's deal because:-
1 it was not leave. It kept the whole of the UK under EU rules.
2 it gave all the power to the EU. The UK could not leave until the EU said so.

This deal contains much the same details as May's deal, but:-
1 it has an ene date / on going review dates
2 it returns power to the UK as the UK (NI assembly) can vote on how long the interim state will last.

Nationalists loved May's deal but hate this one. They wanted/still want to use Brexit to further their aims of a united Ireland.

Yeah I get all that, I just wondered why the DUP and the UUP are of differing opinions on this one.
Is it just to be different?

 

[alex04w]

Yeah I get all that, I just wondered why the DUP and the UUP are of differing opinions on this one.
Is it just to be different?

There is no love lost between the UUP and the DUP.

If the UUP were to come out and support this deal, then they would be signing their death warrant - why have a UUP if the DUP were right in what they negotiated?

The UUP are saying it provides perpetual uncertainty for NI. However that is only the case if the Assembly keeps voting on the issue. If at the first vote the Assembly goes for alignment with the UK then the uncertainty ends.

That also forces the EU to come up with a trade agreement in 4 years, rather that dragging it out for many years.

 

[The Agrarian]

But the DUP have changed their minds on regulatory alignment.

 

[The Agrarian]

If stormont ever sits again, it will have a pro European majority. So fair chance it will vote for EU alignment in perpetuity.

 

[alex04w]

If stormont ever sits again, it will have a pro European majority. So fair chance it will vote for EU alignment in perpetuity.

Except that it is designed that it is a vote for EU integration, but only if there is cross community agreement. If the DUP put in a petition of concern, then NI automatically moves to alignment with the UK when the vote fails.

That is why SF are saying they can never agree to it!

 

[The Agrarian]

So the default is EU non-alignment, which must initially be activated by the assembly, and reactivated every four years, which can be vetoed by the DUP?

 

[alex04w]

So the default is EU non-alignment, which must initially be activated by the assembly, and reactivated every four years, which can be vetoed by the DUP?

My understanding of what I have heard and read is that the initial default is EU alignment. This must be approved by the Assembly every 4 years on a cross community vote. Therefore if the DUP put in a petition of concern and vote against, then NI moves to UK alignment. Hence the SF allegations of 'a DUP veto'.

 

[The Agrarian]

Ok. So it's effectively time limited. Dublin won't be Keen.

Looking at the big picture. Business pressure has obviously brought about this smudging of DUP policy. In four years business may well still apply same pressure to DUP. Also, crucially doesnt do away with the issue of tariffs on cross border trade.

 

[Joe]

This deal will be rejected, looking at it seems purely pm looking for a way to blame EU for no deal and playing to his base. But EU needs to play the game and say their reviewing it, but without customs union doomed I’d think.