Probably depends on what they think are the consequences of flexibility on the backstop

I think the EU does want a deal. They are as fed up as the GB public with this constant uncertainty and they also recognises the damage a No Deal departure would do, They are, however, also are very solid on the four freedoms as something they will not compromise on. They see it as a benefit of membership and therefore not something they can dilute for what effectively will be a third country. The inclusion in the latest proposals of words to the effect we want regulatory divergence will make them less likely to compromise. We’ll see what happens if they get into the negotiation tunnel, but I think concern about this makes it more likely Ireland & the EU will want a watertight backstop. An irish sea border only works if N.Ireland stays in the customs union, doubly unacceptable to unionists.

Posted By: Tressells Broadbrush on October 3rd 2019 at 11:32:24

Message Thread

Proposals are not that bad IMO. Could probably get through parliament (n/m) (General Chat) - KetteringRyu, Oct 3, 08:29:07
- As long as the criminals who make a living from border issues between (General Chat) - promethian1, Oct 3, 10:41:58
- The "Irish Border Issue" (General Chat) - paulg, Oct 3, 09:52:44
  - Best solution is to stick the border in the Irish Sea & leave NI in the Customs Union (General Chat) - mr carra, Oct 3, 11:02:06
    - That would be neater yes. Bung them some more cash! (n/m) (General Chat) - Jim, Oct 3, 11:05:59
      - Johnson's plan already includes giving them more cash (n/m) (General Chat) - Ralf Scrampton, Oct 3, 11:27:31
  - I think it’s a question of two sets of mutually exclusive ‘red lines’ (too many words) (General Chat) - Tressells Broadbrush, Oct 3, 11:00:11
    - Good post. I still think that a NI only time limited backstop is the way out of this (General Chat) - Jim, Oct 3, 11:12:14
      - Probably depends on what they think are the consequences of flexibility on the backstop (General Chat) - Tressells Broadbrush, Oct 3, 11:32:24
        
        I don;t see though how they can get a watertight backstop. They need to (General Chat) - Jim, Oct 3, 11:41:03
        
        I think they will accept that (General Chat) - Tressells Broadbrush, Oct 3, 12:03:36
        
        on the flip side, I could see them agreeing it (General Chat) - CWC, Oct 3, 13:39:26
  - DUP want to keep the border (only main party to reject the GFA) (General Chat) - Ralf Scrampton, Oct 3, 10:35:02
- They drive a coach and horses through the GFA (General Chat) - Ralf Scrampton, Oct 3, 09:27:47
  - No they don't. This nonsense should not have been allowed to be consistently (General Chat) - Jim, Oct 3, 10:52:52
    - see below (General Chat) - Ralf Scrampton, Oct 3, 11:29:44
      - Fair point. It just annoys me when politicians throw about "its contrary to the GFA" when (General Chat) - Jim, Oct 3, 11:32:15
        
        no, the spirit of the GFA is to allow for those that feel Irish to live in Norn Iron (General Chat) - Ralf Scrampton, Oct 3, 11:44:48
        
        Of course it is but we were talking about the border and my point was (General Chat) - Jim, Oct 3, 11:47:56
        
        the UK government are framing it as only being a problem about customs checks and a border (General Chat) - Ralf Scrampton, Oct 3, 13:11:36
        
        Ralf,you really should go into politics mate.i don't know who's you'd (General Chat) - protheroe fitzgibbon, Oct 3, 13:49:34
        
        Which is why they are leaving it up to NI and Ireland to decide (n/m) (General Chat) - KetteringRyu, Oct 3, 13:28:43
  - In reality thought this is a different time then it was back then (General Chat) - KetteringRyu, Oct 3, 10:12:31
    - though* (n/m) (General Chat) - KetteringRyu, Oct 3, 10:12:45
      - By not affecting GFA i mean it was thrown out of the NI court. (n/m) (General Chat) - KetteringRyu, Oct 3, 10:21:09
        
        On the basis that it wasn't a matter for the courts but a matter between governments (General Chat) - mr carra, Oct 3, 10:27:23
        
        Which is why it doesn't affect the GFA as it is a Legal Document not a Political one. (n/m) (General Chat) - KetteringRyu, Oct 3, 11:16:51
  - How? (General Chat) - CWC, Oct 3, 09:38:41
    - it effectively gives the DUP the ability to unilaterally change the status of Norn Iron (General Chat) - Ralf Scrampton, Oct 3, 10:29:16
      - Surely you just address that by saying that any Stormont vote is a simple majority? (General Chat) - Jim, Oct 3, 11:04:23
        
        imagine if May hadn't lost her majority and had to rely on the DUP... (General Chat) - Ralf Scrampton, Oct 3, 11:26:24
      - gotcha (General Chat) - CWC, Oct 3, 10:51:00
        
        i guess there's a hope from some tories that an election could solve that (General Chat) - Ralf Scrampton, Oct 3, 11:15:19
- Bit disappointed there won't be crocodile infested moat on the Irish border though.😢 (n/m) (General Chat) - protheroe fitzgibbon, Oct 3, 08:30:29
  - Or a moot (General Chat) - Tricky Hawes, Oct 3, 08:39:09
    - Harsh but fair..😀 (n/m) (General Chat) - protheroe fitzgibbon, Oct 3, 08:48:58

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