Dear Brussels...

[Miljah]

Of course I know the EU's equivalent of Whitehall scrutinise what we say and do- possibly even MN!

But if you had their ear, what would you say?

I do understand that there is no complete, overriding consensus within the EU 'Parliament'!

But imagine you are addressing the EU MEPs.

What would you like to feel they should know?

Jesus, another new low reached by that poster. Give it a few minutes and it'll be "explained" as a joke/a spelling mistake/some semantic bollocks [delete as appropriate].=

@MysteryTripAgain - How can something that never previously existed be changed? No mention of red lines in Article 50 or the Good Friday Agreement.

You're talking nonsense. You obviously have no understanding of the material you are referring to. You are simple cut and pasting snippets and putting whatever spin you fancy on it.

As Simon Coveney said recently when referring to some nonsense spouted by UK politicians: people are entitled to their opinions, but they are not entitled to their own fact.

As Simon Coveney said recently when referring to some nonsense spouted by UK politicians: people are entitled to their opinions, but they are not entitled to their own fact

Elections and referendums are won and lost based on voters opinions. As are votes in parliament. MPs opinion of the WA agreed by May without approval was that it was a bad deal.

Quoting Coveney (I have no idea who that is) comments about facts does not help as it is a fact that more people voted to leave than voted remain not an opinion.

@MysteryTripAgain - Quoting Coveney (I have no idea who that is) comments about facts does not help as it is a fact that more people voted to leave than voted remain not an opinion.

Where, exactly, did I say that this was not a fact?

MPs opinion of the WA agreed by May without approval was that it was a bad deal.

And your point is? Yes, they had opinions.

For someone who claims to be so knowledgeable about A50, GFA, brexit negotiations etc, it's a little surprising you've never heard of Simon Coveney. Perhaps you're more familiar with the originator of the phrase: Daniel Patrick Moynihan to whom the phrase Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts. is attributed.

You have no idea who Simon Coveney is?
At least pretend you aren't utterly ignorant.

Ah Mystery, I can't help but get sucked in.
You are actually playing this for laughs aren't you.

There is no way that anyone who has any interest in any part of Brexit doesn't know who Coveney is.

You're a gas man altogether....

@DuchessDumbarton

E = Entertainment

U = Unlimited

@whyamidoingthis

Daniel Patrick Moynihan to whom the phrase Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts. is attributed

So he thinks it is not a fact that more people voted leave than voted remain?

Are you not capable of googling people you’ve never heard of?

You misunderstand me Mystery.
I am not laughing with you......

Okay. Show time over. A serious question.

Taking into account EUI has said they will not change the existing WA, how do the untested ideas such as NI backstop, NI special zone, Norway, etc., reach UK parliament so MPs can vote?

It is put before Parliament when it returns. Parliament agrees and we leave by the skin of our teeth on 31 October.
Isn't that more important to people like you than pretending NI is exactly the same as mainland UK.

NI only backstop was the EU's first choice. It was stymied by a pretend giving a shit what the DUP thinks.

It is fraught with problems, not least NI being a rule taker etc etc. But stew some fudge in there and it will at least defer difficulties.

NI only backstop was the EU's first choice

Would the EU be prepared to change the WA? One poster (can't remember which thread) suggested not as opens the door for other members to try and tweak for their own benefit. Spain and Gibraltar being an example?

@MysteryTripAgain - So he thinks it is not a fact that more people voted leave than voted remain?

No, but I suspect he would agree that my opinion of your posting is fact.

Well it was the EU's first option so that would seem pretty compelling to me.
Gibraltar is a separate issue but nice try distracting from NI.
Those are issues which we could have been working on and talking about if tosspots like the DUZ/ERG sect hadn't been egged on by the rest of the Cult.

Since Johnson met Varadkar yesterday, the current reporting is that Johnson is now talking about a NI only backstop, coupled with an all-Ireland animal health and food safety regime. Varadkar is holding firm on the line that no unilateral negotiations will take place between UK and Ireland but he is open to discussion to find common ground.

www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/northern-ireland-only-backstop-on-the-menu-for-varadkar-johnson-meeting-1.4011752

www.rte.ie/news/brexit/2019/0909/1074886-backstop-brexit/

I think there is now a better possibility of a deal than there has been for a while. Johnson doesn't want to go out on no deal as it would be political suicide for him. Obviously, he doesn't care that it would also be economic suicide for the UK or the impact on the GFA and NI. He's quite happy to throw whomever he needs to under a big red bus to protect his career.

That said, preparations for no deal are continuing apace in Ireland. The advertising has increased, advising businesses and consumers on what they need to do to prepare for no deal. There is a very carefully worded ad that doesn't quite tell consumers not to buy from the UK but does warn of potential issues of buying from a 3rd country.

I won't do an "I told you so" until it happens. And even then I will keep it offline.
I just want GFA protected and I don't care how.

@why

I support an NI only backstop, but will the DUPers and ERGers?

Labour are now a remain party. So will support a WA or reject just for the sake of it like before?

But as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said today in Dublin, both the EU and UK will end-up back at the negotiating table within a short period of time after any UK crash-out

That is why I think no deal would not last long.

Thought all Countries outside EU/EEA/EFTA were classed as third countries?

Ah Mystery showtime over?
I just cannot take you seriously as a poster, since admitting that you don't know who Coveney is.

Yes, whyamidoingthis I think there has been a slight change in tone over the last week- where on the EU side (Ireland) there is an air of "lets find some way to make a deal".

And, bellini bless you- you have put enormous energy into warning people.
I agree..... protect the GFA...I don't care how.

Who gives a shit what DUP or ERG think at this point. Their votes count less than cross party support for a sensible solution which protects GFA.

Am hoping there will be an NI only backstop but would there be a Loyalist backlash? I think it's beginning to dawn on Arlene and the DUP they they can (and will) be done without. If they would remove their heads from their arses they would see that this is a great opportunity for NI.

It really would be if DUP could see that they would still be a big fish in a little pond.
I think all kinds of economic benefits could be woven into it. Swords into ploughshares and all that.

@bellinisurge Who gives a shit what DUP or ERG think at this point. Their votes count less than cross party support for a sensible solution which protects GFA.

Problem here is the suggestions that the NI assembly should have a deciding voice in whether to invoke the backstop. As the unionists have a majority and could block it indefinitely, this is unlikely to be acceptable.

I would like to see NI designated as a special economic zone, rather than having a NI backstop, but that is unlikely.

Stormont isn't sitting.