to propose a way forward on Brexit?

[Eyewhisker]

So May has bottled it and pulled the Commons vote on the Withdrawal Agreement because of concerns over the Backstop. AIBU to think that the solution to this is to have a Northern Ireland only referendum on the Backstop? If the people of NI are in favour of the Backstop - and potential divergence from GB - then May’s agreement can go ahead. GB can diverge from EU standards if it wants to and enter into those wonderful trade deals where it can eat all the chlorinated chicken it wants, while taking back control.

Disclaimer: all the opinion polls show that a majority in NI are happy with the backstop. The DUP are not representative.

docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/024943_5d55337d24664f738f17a8d72788290b.pdf

Do NI want to be a United kingdom or be an independent country and stay in the EU with Ireland?

Nicola Sturgeon warned David Cameron before the referendum that all four countries in the UK should agree on whether to stay in or leave. He told her that Leave would never get in, so ignored her advice. She was absolutely right.

The majority of NI would like Special Status. This means both in the UK and in the EU, respecting both those who see themselves as British and equally, those who see themselves as Irish. The backstop does this.

A few regulatory or customs checks on goods crossing the Irish Sea (note not people) does not mean that NI is not part of the UK.

WTF Are you trying to break up the UK?

I would be happy with your suggestion, but it would never get through Parliament. To be fair though, I want the 32 counties to be one country, and also Scotland to be an independent nation.

Brexit will lead to break up of the UK.

No. This is the way to keep the UK together.

If were to have special status, it’s future as part of the UK would be assured as it would gain an enormous economic advantage. A firm could have its regulatory testing there and qualify for both the EU and UK markets.

However, a no deal Brexit would destabilise NI and lead to a small minority of Unionists voting for a United Ireland and so break up the UK.

Put it to the test. The Withdrawal Agreement and Backstop are popular in NI. There’s a separate poll confirming this in the Belfast Telegraph today.

Scotland and NI to secede from the UK and form their own country with Ireland (The Celtic Union of Scotland and Ireland), the newest EU member state.

No?

Are you trying to beak up the UK- um like the UK broke up Ireland when they took 6 counties from Ireland in the early 20th century.

You think Arlene is going to agree to that?

The DUP would not support this, they want zero divergence from GB.If it actually went through Scotland would demand the same.

Doesn't matter if DUP are not representative they hold the cards.

This would be terrible for Scotland and effectively gives NI a competitive advantage over the rest of the UK and particularly punishes Scotland, who voted Remain.

The DUP need to cop themselves on. They go on and on about NI being treated the same as the rest of the UK but don't see that they themselves have caused it to be different with their Victorian laws on abortion and gay marriage.

OP, I think your idea is a good one.

I heard there was a poll just the other day in NI saying that a large percentage 65%+ wanted to stay in the SM & CU, keeping FOM, its just the DUP against this. So it seems most people in NI, including a significant proportion of Unionist, would prefer a border down the Irish sea. I'll try to find the poll. But yes possibly it could be a solution.

They want zero divergence from the UK, unless it has anything to do with women's rights or equality, I presume, then they are totally different.

Just watched c4 news

We paying more to northern Ireland than we were to eu.

I know Scotland get a tidy deal.

So is Wales and England worse off as a result.

Surely all 4 nations should be equal

The DUP and Arlene do not have to agree. They do not represent the majority in NI. The representation of NI views at Westminster is skewed by Sinn Fein’s 7 MPs not taking their seats. The one other MP is an Independent Unionist who is in favour of May’s Agreement.

The DUP should not be allowed to hold the UK to ransom.

The DUP should not be allowed to hold the UK to ransom.

Lots of things in British politics shouldn't be "allowed" but they sadly are.