Northern Ireland Protocol requires replacement rather than sandpapering

 

Boris Johnson wants to tweak the Protocol  that he imposed using a bit of sandpapering.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/apr/20/boris-johnson-uk-trying-to-cut-ludicrous-northern-ireland-checks

Let us take a historical perspective.

A hundred years ago a settlement was imposed that established the border between Northern Ireland and Eire. This resulted in widespread discontent in many communities.. Sandpapering was considered then, with minimal effect.

In 1998 after extensive consultation a scheme was devised involving all players which had the broad consent of all communities – much more than any previous arrangement, anyway– and the proof of that pudding is in the subsequent relative peace.

In 2019-20 a scheme was devised by Boris Johnson which had very little consent and was imposed on Northern Ireland.

History tells us that such a scheme will not last.

What about Brexit overall?

Over 2016-2020 a scheme to substantially degrade our ability to trade with the EU – by leaving it with a hard Brexit – was imposed on the British people. Perhaps 20-30% might have supported that scheme if it had been proposed in 2016, possibly fewer. Young people overwhelmingly wanted no Brexit of any sort.

The damage is done – or some of it at any rate – and it is a reality that must be faced.

But imposed settlements do not create equilibrium.

The natural course of events Is to address injustices and impositions. The natural course of events would see the next generation re-join EU, by 2050 if not before.

Unless he wants to be the initiator of 30 years of discontent, the tool that Johnson needs now is the axe, not the sandpaper. Replacing the Protocol with Customs Union and Single Market membership would do it.

But I suspect that this is a task that he will leave for his successor. Next year?

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