Re: Brexit discussion
 

It's an interesting story to follow but one which people do seem to be getting rather worked up about, I do agree with you on that point.

Re: Brexit discussion
 

I can't see them voting in a way to disadvantage the exports of their own businesses, can you?

Re: Brexit discussion
 

If common sense and practical thinking was the EU way Old Boy there wouldn't be a brexit to be discussing always bet on ego and stupidity.

Re: Brexit discussion
 

Zero tariffs does not mean an open border to the transport of goods. The only current way to get around the issue of rules of origin and compliance of regulatory standards is a customs union and single market respectively. We, as part of the EU have many zero tariff trade agreements but goods are still stopped at customs before entry in to the country, either virtually through declarations or physically.

On that subject, I see Daniel Hannan posted a nice photo of the exit to Basel airport to demonstrate how simple no customs union is - https://twitter.com/DanielJHannan/st...11751283740672

A bit 'pants on fire' with that photo, there are two exits to this airport, one in France and one in Switzerland. Leave by the wrong exit and you have to go through customs outside the airport even though Switzerland is in the Schengen Zone

Re: Brexit discussion
 

It's a complicated subject and I don't blame Old Boy for not understanding it. Thanks for explaining matters so clearly, jonbxx.

Re: Brexit discussion
 

I do understand it, Andrew. And we have to fix it. Things can be changed.

Re: Brexit discussion
 

The rules of the EU won't Old Boy. Theresa May's red lines will have to change if we are to have seamless trade with the EU.

Re: Brexit discussion
 

Time will tell Germany is starting to realise the damage our leaving will do to their economy you can be sure other studies will follow for other european nations which will increase pressure for a deal with the UK. No side has ever held all the cards in this situation despite what some might say on both sides and this negotiation will end as all usually do neither side getting everything they want but both sides getting enough for a deal to be done. The governments insistence that we will be out of the customs union and out of the single market is the only way to prevent more social trouble and no deal will be done that restricts the UK's ability to handle it's own trade affairs.

Re: Brexit discussion
 

Would not leaving the customs union create issues and possibly a collapse of the Good Friday agreement, inviting a whole different type of social trouble?

Re: Brexit discussion
 

That will be a choice for the people of Northern Ireland to make and whether they wish to turn the clock back twenty five years to the bad old days. The social trouble of seventeen and a half million people feeling they have been ignored and betrayed might just be a greater concern.

Re: Brexit discussion
 

I don’t remember those 17.5 million people having to live with roadblocks and checkpoints on many roads, and having armed soldiers patrolling the streets, and trial without a jury of their peers, so you may not be comparing apples with apples...

Re: Brexit discussion
 

Either the IRA have gone away or they haven't. Why should anyone kick up a fuss?

Re: Brexit discussion
 

Glad to see that you are finally recognising the intransigence of the EU, Andrew!

They are going to have to step down from their hobby horse. You'll see.

Re: Brexit discussion
 

No Hugh most never experienced life as people in Northern Ireland did but do you honestly believe brexit is going to return the IRA back on the offensive and the people of Northetn Ireland just happily going back to how things were i have a bit more faith they can continue as they have since the good friday agreement.

Re: Brexit discussion
 

The rules of the club have been clear to most from day one Old Boy. Judging by your predictions, for example a free trade in financial services with the EU we'll be waiting a long time.

---------- Post added 28-04-2018 at 00:02 ---------- Previous post was 27-04-2018 at 23:56 ----------

It doesn't really matter what you or Hugh believe will happen in the event of a hard border. The UK has committed to a soft border which to date means NI and Eire staying in a single market and customs union or similar. (The UK has until June to come up with a workable solution that doesn't involve the above but has failed to do so to date.)