Current Affairs Irish Border and Brexit

[tsubaki]

The Good Friday Agreement is a snails pace towards a united Ireland, that is why the DUP have always been against it. Primarily because London has less and less control over Northern Irish affairs but also because it gives the people of Northern Ireland the right to vote to unite the country. This part of the GFA has always stuck in the DUP's throat and they would rather see the UK government renege on this international treaty in an attempt to stop any vote. In fact the very thing they are complaining about, recognition of the Irish language is an element of the GFA anyway. The DUP's wrecking ball tactics has made May look a complete fool and her reliance on them means the tail is wagging the dog. Europe looks on aghast as May keeps changing her mind over the island of Ireland.

Indeed. One of the truly annoying things about the uselessness of May and her Government is that they have missed loads of opportunities that the GFA and the other things associated with Ireland have presented - the CTA for example, which is pretty much the definition of "have your cake and eat it" and which could easily be used to put pressure on the unanimity of the 27 (given that treating the Irish as the rest of the EU citizens would be treated would have a disproportionate impact on them).

 

[ToffeeTim]

I sense the EU are trying to punish Britain, which is logical in ways and childish in others. But I think a no deal situation is about to happen.

 

[peteblue]

Have you much experience of the border counties of Ireland.

No I haven’t, perhaps you could explain the problems that would result from the U.K. and NI not putting a hard border in place......

 

[peteblue]

You are a WUM because you:

a) don't answer the questions put to you
b) quote posts and reply with snooty and sarcastic comments, e.g. "beloved EU" above
c) never.......finish.......a.......sentence.......(standard internet WUM tactic)
d) derail threads off topic to pursue your agenda

so off on ignore you go.

And yet you still don’t debate, but thank you for putting me on ignore, it will save a few minutes of my day......and you were not much fun anyway.....

 

[peteblue]

This is not about 'real refugees' but EU citizens that want to get into the UK. Unless the UK puts border checks on the island of Ireland, EU citizens will have free movement into the UK through the Republic or 'by the backdoor' according to Hoey. The EU citizens that the UK 'doesn't want' will still arrive in the UK via Northern Ireland. The UK will not be taking back control of their borders, the red line.

Again, who cares, they will just be visiting as they will have no rights once in the U.K. after Brexit. Both NI and the U.K. mainland will have no problem in letting EU nationals enter the country, they can spend their money, be unable to access jobs or benefits unless they are legitimate, and then go back or be removed, no problem.......what exactly is the issue.....

 

[JimmyJeffers]

Maybe not the right thread for this but I guess it’ll do.

 

[peteblue]

Dont think it had any effect on the outcome in 97, tbh. After 18 years of Thatcherism and neo-Thatcherism the country wanted a new start. Blairism was what was required by the Establishment, not the electorate.

Tbf he seemed fresh and positive and offered everything that people wanted as well as ‘only having 24hrs to save the NHS’. He was a snake oil salesman, but he did it well........

 

[peteblue]

Maybe not the right thread for this but I guess it’ll do.

You’re right mate, wrong thread.....

 

[Khalekan]

This whole thing is starting to remind me of the great religious wars of the 16th and 17th century......when England had a dispute with some other great European colonial power, France or Spain, and Ireland was a pawn in the game and suffered as a consequence.

The more things change the more they stay the same.

 

[Connor]

Maybe not the right thread for this but I guess it’ll do.

Should probably be in the fake news thread but you'd fill that up with anything the Tories say so it's a difficult one.

 

[peteblue]

SF won't be taking up their seats in Westminster so that idea can be scratched.

Their plan is to get a foothold in both jurisdictions which would enable them to pursue their aims from a position of strength.

If there is a hard border after Brexit though it is anyone's guess what might happen, which is why it is imperative to preserve the status quo for the foreseeable future.

So would a hard border undermine SF........*memo to T May, hard border required....

 

[Ruairi77]

No I haven’t, perhaps you could explain the problems that would result from the U.K. and NI not putting a hard border in place......

I'm not him but I grew up just south of the border so I'll give it a go.
- if there is a customs border there will be a huge illegal smuggling business. There will be a huge black market. The proceeds from the black market and smuggling will inevitably lead to an increase in drug dealing and other unwanted problems.
- The economies of the likes of Newry and Dundalk would become very volatile as markets swing between the two trading zones.
- Border checkpoints would lead to practical problems like commuting/farming etc.
- The biggest issue with a hard border would be the rolling back of continuous progress in relations between different backgrounds on the island. It cant be understated how important this is.

Edit. sorry, misread your question.

 

[Khalekan]

So would a hard border undermine SF........*memo to T May, hard border required....

Except history tells us that the strategy of “hard border” ends up on the streets of London, Pete.

Best take that memo back.

Because that way lies madness

 

[peteblue]

I'm not him but I grew up just south of the border so I'll give it a go.
- if there is a customs border there will be a huge illegal smuggling business. There will be a huge black market. The proceeds from the black market and smuggling will inevitably lead to an increase in drug dealing and other unwanted problems.
- The economies of the likes of Newry and Dundalk would become very volatile as markets swing between the two trading zones.
- Border checkpoints would lead to practical problems like commuting/farming etc.
- The biggest issue with a hard border would be the rolling back of continuous progress in relations between different backgrounds on the island. It cant be understated how important this is.

Edit. sorry, misread your question.

But if we, the U.K. do not put a hard border in place, what is different from today ?......

 

[Armaghtoffee]

So would a hard border undermine SF........*memo to T May, hard border required....

No not SF, the entire peace process and 20 years of political progress.