The Counter Terrorism and Border Security bill going through parliament will result in a hard border on the island of Ireland. But also lead to massive tailbacks at Dover and other ports.
Brexit plans could see mile-wide stop and search zone along border
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The UK can't leave the EU without 'border controls'.
In December, May gave the nod that she was prepared to sign up to the backstop arrangement which effectively kept the whole of the UK in the EU. She was piggybacking the UK to stay on the back of the Good Friday Agreement, which the Americans had told her in know uncertain terms was sacrosanct. In other words, there can be no border on the island of Ireland. Either Northern Ireland has special agreement, something the DUP would be prepared to bring the government down for and would lead to a general election or the whole of the UK stays in the EU, something the DUP were prepared to counter.
Neither arrangement was going to be what the likes of Rees Mogg would sign up to and from January began to agitate against the government's position, staying in the EU and Good Friday Agreement.
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Brexiteers launch broadside at Northern Ireland peace deal
But the Americans would never sanction a hard border on the island of Ireland. Something else had to be added to the mix. In March the false flag 'Putin tried to kill the Skripals', 'Putin using chemical weapons in the UK' 'Another victims of 'Novichok' add to that the 'Putin allows Assad to use chemical weapons in Syria' and the 'Russians are using cyber attacks against the UK and 'interfering in election including Brexit' thereby creating the 'conditions' for 'safety of the UK and security of the UK borders', hard border on the island of Ireland and long delays at UK ports, to be added to yet another Counter terrorism' Bill. The Skripal 'incident' was a godsend for the hard line Brexiteers. In June, Javid introduced the Counter Terrorism and Border Security Bill with this 'It will also contribute to the government’s objective of hardening the UK’s defences against hostile state activity'. 'To make provision in relation to terrorism; to make provision enabling persons at ports and borders to be questioned for national security and other related purposes; and for connected purposes'. Since May, border checks in the UK on those with an Irish passport have already started.
Belfast flight passengers have passports checked in Bristol - Belfast Live
And even checking those holding UK passports for 'security reasons'
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'Despite travelling on an internal UK flight and carrying a full British passport, she was stopped on arrival by Border Force – the UK’s immigration police – and questioned in a bizarre and dubious manner.
The Border Force officer was suspicious about a Chinese visa in my wife’s passport – doubly so when he established it was to attend an engineering conference. There is a Canadian-owned aircraft factory in Belfast, he noted, and an
Airbus plant in Bristol. Did my wife realise the Chinese are building their own airliners? Did she know there are concerns about theft of intellectual property?
“There are people downstairs who would love to talk to you,” he added, ominously'
For the Rees Mogg's and Duncan Smith's of this world there has to be a 'clean break' with the EU and May wasn't providing it. When push came to shove Johnson, Davis et al jumped ship as they are not convinced May wants to leave the EU. On one side of this, is the CBI, City of London finance, Engineering Federation, Motor Industry and other natural Tory supports telling May they don't want to leave the EU. And on the other Johnson, Duncan Smith, Rees Mogg, Davis, Farages who want a' clean break' on WTO rules. There are many many hard line Brexiteers who have spent their whole political career being against the EU and are not going to let it slip from their fingers now.
The dilemma the Tories have is, not to leave the EU will go 'against the democratic will of the people' but to leave will damage the economy due to imposing a hard border on the island of Ireland and at UK ports. May is trying to juggle these two irreconcilable positions. As are those that want a second vote. The chose is ditch the 'democratic will of the people' and the economy will not be hit so hard or carry through the 'democratic will of the people' and the economy takes a pounding.
For Ireland the choice is crystal clear no border on the island of Ireland which puts them at loggerheads with Rees Mogg's et al vision of 'clean break' leaving the EU. What is gaining moment is the provision for a United Ireland vote which May is panicking over.
United Ireland? It may not be as far off as you think
Ireland’s Brexit dividend
She has made it clear she is not going to be the one that sees the UK break up. But the way this is being played out that is exactly what is going to happen. With the Scots also thinking of going for a second leave the UK referendum.
Brexit will be known as the moment the UK split. It is already tearing the Tory party apart and looks increasing likely to see a united Ireland and an independent Scotland.