Quote:
Originally Posted by Sephiroth
I would agree that "we" got what we wanted in terms of a time safety net.
BUT …. TM has been forced to go back on her December 2017 backstop declaration that the UK would indefinitely remain in the CU in the absence of a future relationship deal with the EU.
There is no reason for optimism that the EU would assist in reaching a long term deal with the UK on any timeline, especially if we are tied into their CU.
You've turned the border argument on its head by saying there is a need to show that any proposed solution to the Northern Ireland/Republic problem has a firm timeline. The problem here is if the EU doesn't agree a solution within that so called "firm timeline", we would be tied to the CU.
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I get your point. The danger of an unlimited length backstop agreement is the loss of urgency in reaching an agreement by December 2020 or possibly a year later. I guess the question comes down to confidence - we will reach an agreement by these dates and, if yes, will everything be in place to implement this agreement. I remember back when 'technological solutions' were proposed and there was the question could they be in place by the deadline?
It's a tough one - will there be an implementable agreement by the deadlines agreed and, if not, what happen then? More can kicking for Northern Ireland?