UK General Discussion: 2017 and onwards, Mayhem

[Silent Hunter]

Well, the Canada model (ie a standard trade deal) would work. Except for Northern Ireland of course. I wonder, would a hard border there be that disturbing?

What was the situation pre-Good Friday Agreement? Or pre-1973? Has the border really been open all the time since Ireland became independent?

Pre-GFA the border was still policed by armed guards and little else (not quite the same, but think Canada/USA today). Pre-1993 there were customs checks in addition to armed guards (think Finland/Russia today). The latter was dismantled after the ROI and UK joined the Single Market, but the former did not disappear until 2005, per the GFA.

A lot of smuggling, sometimes in a quite hilarious manner (the Irish pig carousel).

[Silent Hunter]

As a rule, if you need to loudly deny something, it's generally not false.

[Silent Hunter]

Immigration is of course the big issue for many. If Freedom of Movement doesn't end, the case can be made we've not left the EU.

[Silent Hunter]

being in a Customs Union won't solve the Irish border,
and the EU made it clear you can't be in parts of the Single Market..

I think the best way to solve the Irish border problem is to have a border poll. We've not had one since 1973, which was boycotted by the nationalist community. If NI votes to join Ireland, the problem is solved.

Eliminating the 18 NI MPs would result in result in a 632 seat Commons with the Tories at 315 just one short of an overall majority once you take the Speaker out of the equation.

[Silent Hunter]

Israel has said that recognising Palestine before a peace deal is signed harms the chances of such a peace deal.

[Silent Hunter]

The Balfour Declaration? How?

[Silent Hunter]

Royal Mail privatisation was a huge mistake architected by Vince cable,
most voters were against at the time, even tory voters were against it, voters were right as usual..

Two-thirds of public oppose Royal Mail sell-off
Labour, Lib Dem and UKIP supporters oppose the sell-off by majorities of 78%-11%, 72%-17% and 76%-18%, respectively. Conservative voters are less opposed, but still tend to oppose the plans by 48%-40%.

https://yougov.co.uk/news/2013/07/11/two-thirds-public-oppose-royal-mail-sell/

Yep, service has definitely got worse there since privatisation.

[Silent Hunter]

Our judges are appointed by the PM from the recommendations of an independent panel; she can only reject two candidates and if so the third is appointed.

[Silent Hunter]

At the end of the day, I just want to go in the quicker queue in passport control.

[Silent Hunter]

So if the transition period is definitely on, why the hurry to get a deal agreed now?

It needs to be ratified before March.

[Silent Hunter]

The polling at the start of the campaign suggested a landslide... and she only had a small majority before that.

[Silent Hunter]

Could you not have a requirement for all animals and goods subject to extra checks to not use Northern Irish ports?

[Silent Hunter]

If the choice is between a "bad deal" and no deal, then I'll take the bad deal, thank you.

[Silent Hunter]

Freedom of movement already exists between Ireland and UK under the Common Travel Area; in practice passports or other documents are checked when arriving in Ireland by air and sea.

There would be no checks between NI and GB anyway; freedom of movement basically applies to those moving for work and those 'checks' would be done, as they are already, when someone starts working.

[Silent Hunter]

And restrictions on movement there wouldn't apply either.

[Silent Hunter]

Here's the thing - considering all the other differences NI has with GB in its laws, why would Single Market involvement be such a stumbling block?

[Silent Hunter]

You can get most British papers in major European cities, usually the day after publication.

[Silent Hunter]

Julian Smith, the Government Chief Whip, has posted a rather cryptic tweet:

https://mobile.twitter.com/JulianSmithUK/status/1051567081177698310

[Silent Hunter]

Can't we have a backstop with a break clause? Say an Article 50 for the backstop if the trade talks break down?

[Silent Hunter]

I think the British parties need to sit down under the Privy Council system and agree on a common position. It would improve things a lot of the EU knew that any deal would be ratified.

[Silent Hunter]

What's the expression for when your efforts to avoid something end up causing it?

[Silent Hunter]

And here's the thing. We're arguing about the insurance policy when we haven't even bought the car.

[Silent Hunter]

Then it's time for Labour to put country before party and work with May to find an acceptable deal.

[Silent Hunter]

One or two of these pop up most years, so it shouldn't lead to more than sexist jokes.

[Silent Hunter]

That Scottish cow is like the rest of us. Had enough of Brexit.