Boris’s Irish solution - is it workable?

[elprup]

It seems like it could be a viable solution to me, although I’ll admit that I’m by no means an expert on the subject. What do you think?

Has he actually said what it is??

Nope.

• Introduces two borders instead of none,

• Impossible without infrastructure and physical inspections

• would be a smugglers' licence

Has there been a legitimate proposal put forward?
It's all a bit chaotic as most news seems to be about what he is not putting forward. Some statement that media speculation os not quite what he was proposing but no proper info on what he is proposing. Afaik Simon Coveney has said Ireland and the EU haven't seen any viable proposals.
I don't think that BJ gets that ANY border lines, checkpoints or customs checks along the border (even customs check a mile back or somesuch nonsense) will be against the Good Friday Agreement and is likely to result in legal challenges and a risk of escalating violence in the North.

Yes, the proposals were briefed to European leaders last night. Peter Foster, the Telegraph's (very good) European editor has an excellent thread about it on twitter, I've pasted some of this below:

^First, the broad offer:

• Northern Ireland remains aligned for agri/industrial goods, dynamically, for four years

• But remains in UK customs territory, so customs checks N-S border in Ireland. /2^

^So that creates TWO borders.

• one east-west between GB and NI, which will require declarations for goods moving to NI after 2021

• and one N-S for customs etc. along lines @tconnellyRTE leaked last night /3^

There are lots more issues with the proposal - read Foster's thread or (if you have access) his Daily Telegraph article.

Introduces two new borders. They're talking about putting tracking devices on vehicles or monitoring mobile phone technology to check when something has gone across the border. With the sensitivities in Ireland that will go down like a lead balloon.

It’s not supposed to work just a side show to push the UK closer to no deal. Which is the plan.

No it doesn’t.

Nope - it’s both impractical and the infrastructure implementation (& it’s cost) utterly non feasible. I’m at a loss at what this man thinks he is doing.

Thanks Mistigirl
What have the DUP said about this?
Aren't they still propping up the Tory Government, can't see them going for anything which makes them different to the rest of the UK.
This is why Brexit should never have been put to a referendum.
Tbh the only way the UK could leave the EU with any chance of dictating terms is if it was a UK and Ireland exit as a bloc.
Can't see this plan being any more acceptable than previous.

Has he actually said what it is??

Humbug? A giant humbug?

Sorry to post a DM link but it does have a good diagram on the issue:

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7524297/Is-Boris-Johnsons-plan-break-Brexit-deadlock.html

It's the Daily Mail. It's not even considered a good enough source for wikipedia

We're leaving with no deal. Boris has never been serious about getting one.

And you think that's workable?

The whole length of that red strip is in located in constituencies that vote for Sinn Fein. The people of those constituencies don't want a border and nor do the people on the Ireland side.

It's Not workable according to Coveney and Varadkar.

www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/reported-uk-brexit-proposals-don-t-look-like-basis-of-deal-coveney-1.4036937?mode=amp

Well for us to leave on no deal on Halloween hell either have to get parliament to agree or break the law, again. Right?

The thing is, if we are leaving on October 31st (and that’s a big if), then it comes down to this plan or a hard border (through no deal). The second option is much worse!

Excellent point. So actually that's incentive for the EU to agree.
Would he get it through parliament though? That was where the WA fell down. Or will it be personality over content? We all love having the country run by a loveable buffoon with silly hair after all ahh go on I'll agree with his deal.

Would he get it through parliament though?

I think he may do if MPs really believe that it’s this or no deal

But they've legislated against no deal! This is the bit I really don't understand. He'd have to get them to agree a no deal or ask for an extension.

And what about this vonc that was happening this week?

It wasn't supposed to be workable. It cuts Donegal(in the Republic) off from the rest of the Republic. Having to pass through British check points to get to another part of the same country will never be acceptable. They knew this.

Would he get it through parliament though

Unlikely as it is the policy of remain MPs to vote against all Withdrawal Agreements on the basis they want Brexit result to be ignored.

What they don't realize is;

No WA = No deal

I don’t think there’s any incentive for the EU to agree. As I understand it, Boris’s plan is essentially the Irish government’s no-deal plan and is considerably worse than the plan already on the table.

Given the noises out of Ireland and the rest of the EU are that this plan is unworkable and that they see this as the UK negotiating in bad faith, having to get it through our parliament is probably not going to be an issue.

The thing is, if we are leaving on October 31st (and that’s a big if), then it comes down to this plan or a hard border (through no deal). The second option is much worse!

Who says it is worse? Does the opinion of the Irish people and their representatives not have some weight here?

I posted a link to this video on today's other Irish thread, in which local people talk about what a return to a hard border means to them. Please watch it (it was made by a journalist who campaigned for Brexit!)