Re: Brexit Development(s) Discussion
 

So it does look like the UK could just leave and then either go for a trade deal with the EU or not.

I sure hope the No Deal preparations are really good or a lot of people are going to suffer.

Leaving without a deal may also affect the pound,the stock market, businesses & employment.It could be a real mess.

Re: Brexit Development(s) Discussion
 

Which deal are you referring to?:rolleyes: You seemed have mentioned both of them and in the 3rd para, both at the same time. That's quite a feat.

---------- Post added at 15:45 ---------- Previous post was at 15:25 ----------

It's gives impossible conditions that are completely out of his hands. If their intention was to force a never-ending extension, then that is what the bill should have been solely about.
Section 2(5)


---------- Post added at 16:22 ---------- Previous post was at 15:45 ----------

Link

Called moving the goalposts. There was never going to be anything that Boris or anybody else, could come up with that Ireland would approve.

Re: Brexit Development(s) Discussion
 

This last point sounds more like the EU helping Ireland to become a united Ireland. Having said that Boris has not really offered anything that would give the EU the kind of legal security it requires.

Basically,it wants to be legally able to prevent the UK from establishing checkpoints, which is strange because the UK wants preserve the Good Friday agreement and not have checkpoints either.

However, the insistence of a Stormont Input every 4 years may have put paid to that.

Re: Brexit Development(s) Discussion
 

None of what you claim forces an indefinite extension. It's out and out demonstrably false to claim that is what the Benn Act facilitates.

Re: Brexit Development(s) Discussion
 

The point is that there has never ever been anything else that would satisfy Ireland. Impossible to find something that UK Parliament hasn't turned down already, that the EU would agree to. So all this guff about the EU wanting an agreement and Boris blocking it, along with "it's up to the UK to come up with a solution" is total nonsense, as usual. The EU has not been negotiating in "good faith".

---------- Post added at 16:58 ---------- Previous post was at 16:54 ----------

The "extension" in the bill only goes up to 31st Jan 2020. so how else does 7th Feb 2020 and beyond come into it?:confused: Impossible unless it means indefinite extensions.

Re: Brexit Development(s) Discussion
 

The backstop was an agreed solution between Theresa May's Government and the EU. When removed, the EU's stance was that the UK needs to come up with a solution that solves the problems that the backstop solved. It has failed to do so.

Re: Brexit Development(s) Discussion
 

And Merkel has now effectively admitted that the backstop was always the only option as far as the EU is concerned. The WA is a draft agreement, and the backstop is still there. The Irish haven't attempted to seek any solution either.



How could Germany leave? They have a very long land border(3700km) with other countries.

Re: Brexit Development(s) Discussion
 

Don't be silly! You don't distinguish between statements that are fact and those that are not meant to be taken literally, do you?

Of course no-one has suggested seriously that planes would fall from the sky, but many have been under the impression that the UK will not be able to fly its planes over Europe, which of course is not the case. Some have been of the opinion that they will no longer be able to holiday in Europe, and I have met a few of them!

As far as NI, solutions are available, but Europe refuses to engage. The reality is, that if there is no deal, there will be no backstop. This seems to have eluded the Irish PM!

Re: Brexit Development(s) Discussion
 

Where has she admitted that? There's been some inadmissible off-the-record briefings from the UK Government but has she said anything like this?

---------- Post added at 18:14 ---------- Previous post was at 18:12 ----------

It's basically extension, election and then who knows what! It's the brave who can predict what that might bring with regard to Brexit.

Re: Brexit Development(s) Discussion
 

You seem to believe that an extension is inevitable, Andrew, but it is not. You are conveniently ignoring at least two other possibilities.

1. The EU may fail to grant an extension.

2. Boris's master plan could be to apply for Article 24 of GATT, by which we could apply a protection period of up to 10 years. If the EU is as desperate for a deal as they make out, there is no reason why they should not support this. It deals with the backstop until such time as we agree a trade agreement, as well.

It sounds as though Boris also has other measures up his sleeve, which he is not revealing right now for obvious reasons.

Re: Brexit Development(s) Discussion
 

The quote begins "Merkel said". If it had been anything else, it would/should have consisted of detailed specific objections to each part of the proposal, and which parts they were ok with. Have the EU said what parts they are ok with or could be tweaked?



What proposals have the EU even hinted at that would acceptable to them?
Link(again)

They won't consider anything other option, they didn't even bother looking in the past 4 years for what according to them is a major issue.

Link

"Country as a whole"? Shows the true motive behind the backstop. No alternative measures will ever be allowed. The backstop gives a veto to the IRA, Ireland, and the EU over what happens to the UK as a whole, and that's somehow reasonable and acceptable?

Re: Brexit Development(s) Discussion
 

It's a bit of a coincidence that the account of the call from a 'No 10 source' of Merkel's call suits their overall argument. She is being unreasonable, admitting her cynical ploy and effectiely taking all the responsibility for No Deal.

Re: Brexit Development(s) Discussion
 

Have to say wish Merkel was our leader. Seems like a nice old bird. And she's vaguely competent, which puts her streets ahead of our leaders/potential leaders

Re: Brexit Development(s) Discussion
 

And the denials aren't bit of a coincidence?
Other than the backstop, when have they ever said what proposals might be acceptable? It's always been a complete blanket no to the merest hint of a solution. Have Ireland and the EU ever said that X might be made to work? If you actually want to find a solution to something, the usual approach is either try and come up with something yourself, or at least be more supportive of other suggestions.

Re: Brexit Development(s) Discussion
 

At least we can be in no doubt she is acting in the best interests of Germany/the EU. As opposed to disaster capitalists, vultures and the USA.