So Johnson has 30 days to come up with an alternative to the backstop......

[Bearbehind]

This will be interesting to watch!

There are multiple leave options that would allow the UK to comply with the GFA

I agree, but none are to the equal satisfaction of both EU and UK. The NI only backstop is okay for me, but maybe not for Scotland?

I agree, but none are to the equal satisfaction of both EU and UK. The NI only backstop is okay for me, but maybe not for Scotland?

The only reason the EU is insisting on the backstop is because Ireland are insisting the UK comply with their obligations. Unfortunately, once you sign up to a peace treaty, you generally don't get everything you want, as compromises need to be made. For example, Ireland wanted to join Schengen. The UK refused. Ireland recognised that they would have to forgo joining Schengen in order to ensure they complied with their obligations under the GFA.

The only 2 EU members that have an agreement external to their EU agreement with respect to their border is ROI and UK, ie the GFA

The U.K. and Ireland do not have "an agreement external to their EU agreement with respect to their border". The CTA is not an agreement about borders but about certain freedom of movement rights for individuals (the CTA coexisted with a hard border prior to the GFA).

What the U.K. and Ireland have is an international peace treaty.

I actually think we should go with my plan B which is for the Daily Mail to run a headline saying we’ve left, and we can all move on.

For all the majority of Leavers were and will be affected by that, we could just move on. 😂

And don't forget blue passports!

For all the majority of Leavers were and will be affected by that, we could just move on.

If serious attempts were made to fix the problems caused by austerity, then yes, the majority would be perfectly happy.

If serious attempts were made to fix the problems caused by austerity, then yes, the majority would be perfectly happy.

Indeed - and the really sad thing is that had nothing to do with Brexit anyway.

The only way to leave is with a FTA and we keep our £39 billion.

The only way to leave is with a FTA and we keep our £39 billion.

Again, this is exactly why we need no deal.

Anyone who still believes this tripe needs to see the consequences of their choices first hand.

we keep our £39 billion.

A fair chunk of it has already been paid because we did not leave on the appointed date.

The rest would be wiped out by a fall in the £ of a fraction of a penny.

First condition of any future free trade deal with EU will be that we pay our dues (the £39 bln).

Not paying proves we are unscrupulous international partners who don't meet obligations. That kind of policy means we will especially attract like-minded trading partners (nations who don't keep their word & don't care much about contractual obligations or rule of law).

What happens to mutual pension arrangements (for UK citizens who have worked in EU) if UK witholds the money.. will EU honour, will UK honour those commitments.. what is the No Deal plan?

@Thornhill58 - The only way to leave is with a FTA and we keep our £39 billion

The £39 billion (or £33 billion as £6 billion has already been paid) is due regardless of how you leave. Of course, you could always renege on your payments but, no more than reneging on your mortgage payments, it won't do much for your credit rating or the perception others have of your trustworthiness. That should really help making deals with anybody in the future.

The EU have said they will not enter into any deals with you until the bill is paid.

The £39 billion hasn't been paid yet. Why would you want to give our hard ear cash to the EU? Why are people doing the EU's bidding? We need to leave.

It's almost like people want us to fail to prove a point.

@bellinisurge I'm not proposing lobbing off bits of the UK.

@Bearbehind *Of course you are.

NI would be different to the rest of the UK and Scotland would want t(sic, to) follow.

How on earth do you not see this as dividing the nation?

Oh my days - I think I’m going to have to leave this for now. I’m simply astounded by the naivety.*

I am with you Bellini. I feel a lot of people have voted to Leave on the basis of @Bearbehind' s sentences above, which is naive. The once great United Kingdom has seen it's days in terms of who wants to be part of it. Brexit whatever way it falls - hard or soft border is only either staving off or slowing down the inevitable in terms of Northern Ireland and how Scottish people feel will be influenced by how Northern Ireland goes. But these grand dreams of going forward as a powerhouse United Kingdom or doomed either way.

United Kingdom ARE doomed

Sorry

Hard ear cash? :-)

1. what makes you think any other country’s money is not hard earned? Do you think other countries or organisations have money sprouting out of their pockets and do nothing to earn them? The global markets are myths?
2. you can try to go to a shop and take something, but leave without paying. Then come back and say they need you as a customer more than you need them as seller. Try it, come on. Then let me know how it goes.

@Thornhill58 - The £39 billion hasn't been paid yet. Why would you want to give our hard ear cash to the EU? Why are people doing the EU's bidding? We need to leave.

The money is owed. You can either pay your debts or default on them. Do a bit of research on what happens to countries who default on their debts.

We do not owe the EU £39 billion. We are current with payments as we're still in. Once we are out if we don't have an agreement no money will be legally due. We are leaving all buildings and infrastructure that it's ours.
You most read the legal cases as we aren't in default.
I'm tired of people looking for the EU interest before our own. We are helping the other side win.

We are leaving all buildings and infrastructure that it's ours. You most read the legal cases as we aren't in default.

I'm not sure what this means. I assume typos?

The UK have outstanding financial commitments. You can default, obviously but that will mean the EU (and possibly other countries) will not make deals with the UK.

I'm tired of people looking for the EU interest before our own. We are helping the other side win.

If the UK would just figure out what you actually want, it would be helpful. The UK have spent the last 3 years arsing around the place, stating what they don't want, but with no clarification as to what they do want. It shouldn't be a battle but unfortunately the UK attitude has turned it into one.

You are also being very presumptuous to assume we are all brits.

Crashing out? It's almost like a wish. We don't have 30 days. We don't have to do what they say. They aren't our bosses. We are leaving and if they are smart they'll play ball if not we leave without a deal.

@Thornhill58 can you explain what's smart about leaving without a deal?

@Thornhill58 - Crashing out? It's almost like a wish. We don't have 30 days. We don't have to do what they say. They aren't our bosses. We are leaving and if they are smart they'll play ball if not we leave without a deal.

You actually sound a little unhinged. I can only assume you believed the crap about the EU needing the UK more than the UK needs the EU? The UK is no longer a major economic powerhouse. The days of the empire are long gone.

Let them live off rations if need be - if they think they’re happy to do that then making it happen is the only solution.

All the rest of us can do is make preparations to limit our personal damage.

Some of us dont have that option, typical Tory attitude there Bear, I'm alright Jack

What the U.K. and Ireland have is an international peace treaty

So who will install a border if UK leaves with no deal, UK, ROI or EU? This question was presented to MEP Mairead Mc Guiness on Question Time 4 April 2019 and she was unable to answer.

Hard border is any form of infrastructure at all apparently. Even a simple turnstile or a camera would constitute a hard border and contravene the GFA.

I think technology would help for manufactured goods to cross the border without checks, but what about food products and live animals?

NI only backstop seems to be the least worst option, but preferable to a no deal exit from the EU. Fingers crossed.