Do we have the technology for "alternative arrangements" instead of the Irish backstop?
Let’s deal with this “Alternative Arrangements” question. Is the technology available or isn’t it to deal with the Irish border without erecting a hard border in the case of a hard Brexit (leaving Single Market and Customs Union? There is a very simple answer to this but no-one seems to be saying it or acting on the basis of that knowledge. SUMMARY: Do we have the technology? We have the components but not the system How long would developing the system take? You need a Feasibility Study with a business model. Until you have that, let’s guess many hundreds of millions cost and 5 to 10 years. More guesswork below. Can the UK develop this? Maybe, but we don’t have a good track record. Should we have started this in 2016? Yes, if we knew what the future relationship would be, but unfortunately Leave campaigners were saying many different things about that. So why do we need a backstop – can’t we rely on alternative arrangements? The arrangements aren’t really alternativ...