Quizzes & Puzzles0 min ago
Brexit - Does Anyone Here Have A Solution For The Irish Border Problem?
So far our politicians have failed to find a workable solution.
Answers
No and I don't think one will be found which will render Brexit totally unworkable.
17:54 Wed 19th Sep 2018
"Britain, having voted for Brexit partly as a means to control its own borders, can't really complain if the EU wants to do the same."
You missed a bit out and misunderstand another bit:
(1) The United Kingdom voted to control its own borders as it thinks fit. Not as unelected foreign bureaucrats think it should.
(2) The EU does not have any borders to control. They are under the control (for the moment, at least) of the individual nations.
The Irish border is a non-issue. Billions of pounds worth of goods currently enter the EU (from outside) via such places as Dover, Felixtowe, Tilbury, Gatwick and Heathrow every year. Less than 1% of it is physically checked. Similar arrangements prevail in other EU countries, including those with land borders with "the great beyond". But suddenly the piffling amount of trade (relatively speaking) that crosses the Irish border is seen as an insurmountable problem.
But let's assume for the sake of argument that it is truly insurmountable. The UK has no intention of imposing a hard border and neither does Ireland. That is a fact. The EU has neither the resources nor the authority to do so. So, I'll ask again: just what will happen on March 31st next year if the UK leaves with no "deal" agreed? What will happen to lorries travelling from Belfast to Dublin?
You missed a bit out and misunderstand another bit:
(1) The United Kingdom voted to control its own borders as it thinks fit. Not as unelected foreign bureaucrats think it should.
(2) The EU does not have any borders to control. They are under the control (for the moment, at least) of the individual nations.
The Irish border is a non-issue. Billions of pounds worth of goods currently enter the EU (from outside) via such places as Dover, Felixtowe, Tilbury, Gatwick and Heathrow every year. Less than 1% of it is physically checked. Similar arrangements prevail in other EU countries, including those with land borders with "the great beyond". But suddenly the piffling amount of trade (relatively speaking) that crosses the Irish border is seen as an insurmountable problem.
But let's assume for the sake of argument that it is truly insurmountable. The UK has no intention of imposing a hard border and neither does Ireland. That is a fact. The EU has neither the resources nor the authority to do so. So, I'll ask again: just what will happen on March 31st next year if the UK leaves with no "deal" agreed? What will happen to lorries travelling from Belfast to Dublin?
"What's wrong with the Irish border solution in the Chequers plan?"
What's wrong with it is that it necessitates the UK keeping a "common rulebook for all goods" with the EU, including agricultural products, after Brexit. It also involves the UK committing to "continued harmonisation" with EU rules.
People who voted to leave voted to end the imposition of EU rules over UK affairs. They voted to leave so that the UK Parliament could determine what goes on in the UK and what regulations UK businesses had to subscribe to. A"common rule book" and "continued harmonisation" will not permit that.
What's wrong with it is that it necessitates the UK keeping a "common rulebook for all goods" with the EU, including agricultural products, after Brexit. It also involves the UK committing to "continued harmonisation" with EU rules.
People who voted to leave voted to end the imposition of EU rules over UK affairs. They voted to leave so that the UK Parliament could determine what goes on in the UK and what regulations UK businesses had to subscribe to. A"common rule book" and "continued harmonisation" will not permit that.
Surely only goods sold to the EU have to be in line wit EU rules?
So if farmer joe decides to sells his sheep or carrots or whatever to the EU he would have to abide by its rules. (Animal welfare, pesticide use etc) But if Farmer Ted does not sell to the EU he can sell to someone else but shouldn’t be subject to the same rules as Farmer Joe.!!!
So if farmer joe decides to sells his sheep or carrots or whatever to the EU he would have to abide by its rules. (Animal welfare, pesticide use etc) But if Farmer Ted does not sell to the EU he can sell to someone else but shouldn’t be subject to the same rules as Farmer Joe.!!!
"Surely only goods sold to the EU have to be in line wit EU rules?"
You would think so but they don't. Nineteen out of twenty companies in the UK have no dealings with the EU whatsoever. But all their products have to comply with EU standards even if they never leave the UK. More than that, all UK companies have to comply with EU directives which have nothing to do with product standards covering such things as working time and environmental restrictions.
It's part of the EU's desire to see Europe viewed from elsewhere as a single nation. The "Chequers" solution to the Irish border will see the continuation of that regime and is completely contrary to the idea of leaving the EU.
You would think so but they don't. Nineteen out of twenty companies in the UK have no dealings with the EU whatsoever. But all their products have to comply with EU standards even if they never leave the UK. More than that, all UK companies have to comply with EU directives which have nothing to do with product standards covering such things as working time and environmental restrictions.
It's part of the EU's desire to see Europe viewed from elsewhere as a single nation. The "Chequers" solution to the Irish border will see the continuation of that regime and is completely contrary to the idea of leaving the EU.
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