Could An Irexit Be In The Cards?

[ToraToraTora]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-36867886

[Old_Geezer]

Unlikely, at least no time soon. They'd just agree to continue the Common Travel Area, but it'd be watched like a hawk.

[Gromit]

A hard border does not project a United Ireland.

And the border was always very porous pre single market. Smuggling was rife. Why wastes money trying to maintain a symbolic border that no one wants.

[mushroom25]

northern ireland voted to remain by 56% to 44%. of course the province could remain in the EU by petitioning to be ceded to the republic.

if the protestant parties would really consider such a solution to their perceived need to remain in the EU, perhaps it's just as well the Rev. Ian Paisley isn't around to see it - he'd be speechless with rage.....

[ToraToraTora]

yes gromit but it's about to become and EU/UK border, they may not have a choice.

[sandyRoe]

Some Unionists voted to stay in the EU as part of the UK. Not a one of them would put staying in the EU before the link with 'The mainland'.

[Gromit]

Ireland did not sign up to the Schengen area. They are in charge of their border just as we are.
A bilateral agreement would be in Ireland's and the UK's interest.

Ireland does not have to leave the EU for this to happen.

[ToraToraTora]

fair enough, I was just thinking of the demands of the overlords in the EU. Would the EU be happy to have a porous border with a departed state?

[Gromit]

You were fantasising again about the collapse of the EU and hoping this was evidence of that.
It ain't.

[sandyRoe]

Ireland's not like Greece, example. There aren't thousands trying to move through it to get to a more prosperous part of the EU. The border between north and south could easily stay as it is.

[Khandro]

The island of Ireland has had a pretty bad deal from Britain over the centuries, I would personally lose no sleep if the top bit wanted to join up with the bottom bit if that's what they wanted. However, Britain is now on the up and poised for an exciting future, while the EU as we know it is about to fall apart, so I would suggest they should be careful what they wish for.

[jourdain2]

Thanks Gromit - I mentioned that Ireland was not in the Schengen area in another related post a while ago - it was ignored. That is a very important fact. Also, electronic passes could be issued to those in N.I. who travel frequently to Eire - bit on the line of the electronic 'paid up' drivers who can whiz through the toll-booths on the French motorways whilst others queue and pay.

I think they are trying to make trouble and achieve their desired aim of a united Eire. The N.I. vote was a complicated affair, with lots of considerations other than the EU membership.

[Gromit]

Exactly Jourdain,

They don't want to do borders, they want to pretend the north is part of Eire.

[jim360]

For myself I don't see how the UK can have a prosperous future if the EU falls apart at around the same time. It's a mutually vital relationship, one way or another. Same with Ireland, really.

Brexit was presumably a vote for change (although what change was never really specified) -- but it seems like a lot is going to have to stay the same to make it work.

[youngmafbog]

If the EU falls apart it will be disastrous for the World economy. Unfortunately unless the pig headedness stops in the EU that is exactly what will happen.

To give the EU and the UK the best chance quick and mutually beneficial agreement would be best. But too many in the EU would rather bite their noses of to spite their face, thus securing the demise of the EU. The only question is will it be quick or a long drawn out strangulation of all EU National states?

[Khandro]

http://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/692591/engaged-world-foreign-secretary-Boris-Johnson

[Old_Geezer]

That ridiculous suggestion has been discussed already in another thread Khan. Boris showing he was less keen on overthrowing our lords & masters than he appeared before. Or perhaps it's just that he'd had a glass of vino or ten too many, maybe, and was everyone in the EU's best friend because he really loved them.

A break up of the EU need not be a disaster, it depends on how gradually it happens and how quickly a rival trading block (without the desire for European (or world) political domination) is up & running for countries to switch to.

That which is unrelated to the EU need not change. Although some may need monitoring to see if they are still fit for purpose. Some parts of membership were useful too, and can hopefully a convincing case can be made to let them remain largely in place. The change was always to stop being dictated to, and make our own decisions/contracts/alliances.

[ichkeria]

Do you mean by 'Irexit' Ireland leaving the EU?
That isn't what the article is about

[ichkeria]

It's more of an 'Ulstay' scenario :-)

[cassa333]

Anyone coming to the UK from Ireland wouldn't by definition have to cross border controls here. Therefore it shouldn't be beyond the realms of possibility that NI travellers have to show passports.