Can someone explain the Irish backstop to me in very simple words?

[Apolloanddaphne]

I am an intelligent woman with multiple degrees but i have to confess i have no idea what the back stop is. I am too scared to ask my DH or my friends lest they think i am an imbecile (lighthearted). I have tried googling it to read articles about it but i just don't get it.

One of my friends is Irish and has a piece in a newspaper today related this today. If it comes up in conversation next time i see him i would at least like to be able to say something semi intelligent about it!

Help me please. Use easy words. Thanks.

Yeah Apileofballyhoo I see that point, I really do (DH is from NI and raised Catholic, his family is quite nationalist). I still just don't know that I could vote for it. Especially if it was basically a crisis vote because of Brexit and the UK were basically looking at ROI to solve their problem. Or maybe that's exactly the only scenario where I would vote for reunification. I don't know.

Basically, I wholeheartedly endorse Northern Irish people's right to identify as Irish (or British). But I do feel like a (very happy, settled, here for good) immigrant here, and NI and ROI are not the same place to me.

I'm not making any sense, I know that, so I'll just stop typing.

If you ask anyone in the ROI if they want an United Ireland they would of course say yes, it's a romantic notion that we all think of BUT if it actual came to be a serious idea, it would be a different issue. It's not just a simple vote, it would be a long and intricate process. Too much has happened in the past, and the wounds that were caused during the troubles are still too raw. They are improving but it's still too soon, it would definiteLy lead to a return to violence. Also in the GFA vote 95% of people in the republic voted for it, knowing we gave up our constitutional right to NI. I grew up during the troubles but I didn't live through it. I can't imagine what it must have been like,so many people are still living with the grief of losing a loved one in both sides. The GFA while not perfect gave peace and stability. People living in NI have a right to be recognized as Irish or British. Before Brexit there was rarely talk of a UI vote and now it's only seen as a way to deal with the border. If you ask someone from Limerick or Cork NI is part of the UK , honestly most wouldn't have even thought about a UI vote. It's not that we don't care, it just the way it is. Even now we are worried about the damage to businesses in all of Ireland, it's so intertwined. We are worried about violence returning, most of us don't see this as an opportunity to Unite especially at such a critical time. Maybe there will one day be a vote but I can't see it happening anytime soon. Before Brexit can Irish people in NI honestly say they would have voted to be united with ROI or where they happy to be seen as an Irish person part of the UK. Maybe I wrong and I apologise if I am. the DUP are convinced that Irish government are using the backstop as a ploy to get a UI but it couldn't be further from the truth. The UK government keep saying there is no need for a border but haven't given any alternatives. I feel so sorry for those living in the border, we all can have an opinion but they are the ones who will be the most disrupted and impacted.

Outsomnia.

We don't propose to solve anything.
We sing nostalgic songs about 1916, but now? No, we don't want NI.

Leaves NI subject to laws made by the EU and the people in NI will have no representation in how laws will be made after we leave. They will be in a limbo between Britain and the EU.
That's unacceptable to the UK.

Every time this comes up I say the same thing. Ireland will not be bounced into a referendum on unity by a crisis in the UK.
If a referendum happens there will be a citizens assembly and then a cross party Dail committee to look at the issues. Interested parties and experts will be invited to give their positions/opinions. Examples from around the world will be studied.

We will know what we are voting on.

@Thornhill58
But is it acceptable to the people of NI? The EU would probably let them have MEPs
And the people of NI have had 100 years of laws being imposed on them without their day.

At the end of the day ROI is a member of the EU now.

NI is teetering on the edge.

Why should ROI take any responsibility for the actions of the UK who chose to leave and must sort it out now. And must not blame anyone if it doesn't work out.

But honestly we can see the UK hubris here can't we? It is everyone's problem but our own.

Wait for the blame game.

If a referendum happens there will be a citizens assembly and then a cross party Dail committee to look at the issues. Interested parties and experts will be invited to give their positions/opinions. Examples from around the world will be studied.

Well said, Inniu. It would be a process and there would be well thought out stages of that process, and there would be an awful lot of dealing and to-ing and fro-ing before anything was put to the people.

What a pity that Cameron didn't seek advice from Ireland when it came to conducting a Referendum. Instead of looking as though he drew the rules up on the back of an old envelope. Some people in Parliament did try to raise issues - only to be told that it wasn't necessary, it was advisory.

Mindy - I know what you mean

It seems to me like the people of NI think/feel that Ireland would vote for a UI tomorrow if given the chance.

The truth is quite far from there.
NI was a fuck up. Of astronomical proportions. But its issues remain in the main. It belongs to the UK now and has done for over a hundred years (albeit, we all 'belonged' to the fuckers up until a hundred years ago).
But you must see that it's such a mess, nobody would want to take it on! It's like your alcoholic little sister who you love, but she's so fucked up, you can't invite her over, let alone have her move in permanently.
And I'm sorry if this offends people, but it's the truth! Yes! 100 years ago we wanted all 32 counties. We're 100 years on now. And there has been civil war (or terrorism - call it what you will) in NI for decades. Those people (whether they identify as Irish or otherwise) are very different to Irish people.
It's a beautiful part of the island. Fabulous coastline (as is most of Ireland's coast), but the people are just not Irish.

To me, it would be akin to taking on Wales or Scotland. We're just different. I don't know how else to say it! I appear to be causing offence, but it's not my intention, but I'm just trying to express how I personally feel.

What a pity that Cameron didn't seek advice from Ireland

WHEN in the history of the Lord almighty has Britain ever lowered itself to seek advice from Ireland?

@Bowsy5

I think you said you are Irish but living in London for a long time.
I honestly don’t think you know how the people of Ireland would vote.
NI as an alcoholic sister may be your truth but not assume it is anyone else’s.

Lol, not that long Inniu.
Constantly in contact with back home and with Irish media.

I don't get it either

Put it this way. You invite your alcoholic sister over and she rocks up with Arlene Foster............

Your sis just wants to join the party but Arlene wants to discuss 'ishees' she has. And...... SHE. HAS. MANY. With you, your sister, the party in general, the venue, how she'd have been happier if she was invited to the Jones' (good protestant family) etc. etc.

I am a republican. But that time is gone.

Yeats was prophetic 100+ years ago.

'Romantic Ireland's dead and gone
It's with O'Leary in the grave'.

If any reader doesn't know who Yeats was, he was an Irish poet (probably the most famous) and he was head over heels in love with a woman called Maud Gonne who was a republican - a staunch Republican. I gather it was somehow unrequited love - though he may have been a fuck-buddy in today's terms.

WB Yeats is a fire in my head. A hazel tree, apple in hand seeking the golden sun.

I don’t suppose anyone has answered the question then.

Was there a second Troy for her to burn....

No Second Troy
BY WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS
Why should I blame her that she filled my days
With misery, or that she would of late
Have taught to ignorant men most violent ways,
Or hurled the little streets upon the great,
Had they but courage equal to desire?
What could have made her peaceful with a mind
That nobleness made simple as a fire,
With beauty like a tightened bow, a kind
That is not natural in an age like this,
Being high and solitary and most stern?
Why, what could she have done, being what she is?
Was there another Troy for her to burn?

Oh piss off Bowsy, you're being massively offensive. I'm from NI, but have also lived in Cork (and London) for long periods, and I guarantee I'm just as Irish as you are! Although attitudes like yours are why I've emigrated to get away from the entire godforsaken island. I can't believe you described NI as an alcoholic little sister, how bloody rude and ignorant! I'm just glad most Irish people have immeasurably more charm and intelligence than you do, you're an embarrassment.

@alwayscrashinginthesamecar1

You tell me to piss off? I'm telling you how it is FFS. Hardly groundbreaking territory here. Ireland doesn't want NI. Can't afford it, doesn't need it, is only starting to sort its own shit out, we literally can't take on NI. Who the fuck would? Honestly? Who would want NI - bearing in mind that it brings Arlene Foster et al with it........ FFS. You'd swear I insulted your first born or something.

I've told you I'm a Republican at heart but the time has well passed for that notion.