DUP torpedos UK-EU Agreement over Irish border

[-:Undertaker:-]

https://www.theguardian.com/politics...r-irish-border

DUP torpedos UK-EU Agreement over Irish border

Setback for PM’s hopes of agreeing deal to move to next phase of talks as Unionists refuse to back Irish border plan

[Deadlock]

"Northern Ireland must leave the EU on the same terms as the rest of the UK, we will not accept any form of regulatory divergence," says @DUPleader pic.twitter.com/HC2xcEId4p

— BrexitCentral (@BrexitCentral) December 4, 2017

Theresa May’s political weakness was brutally exposed to Brussels on Monday as an agreement struck between Britain and the EU to solve the problem of the Irish border and move to the next phase of Brexit talks was torpedoed by a last-minute telephone call with the leader of the Democratic Unionist party. Confidence early on Monday that an agreement was within reach came to nothing when, during a working lunch with the European commission president, Jean Claude Juncker, May was forced to pause discussions to take a call from Arlene Foster.

The unionist leader, whose party currently provides the Tories with a working majority in the Commons, told the British prime minister that she could not support Downing Street’s planned commitment to keep Northern Ireland aligned with EU laws.

In London, Tory Brexiters, including Iain Duncan Smith and Jacob Rees-Mogg, told the Brexit minister Steve Baker, and the prime minister’s chief of staff, Gavin Barwell, that they were also rallying behind the DUP’s stance.

Lord Trimble, a former first minister of Northern Ireland told the Guardian said Tory MPs at the meeting had shown “unanimous backing for opposition to the draft proposal he said was “minted in Dublin”.

The development raises fresh questions about May’s ability to deliver on any deal she proposes to the 27 member states, and has filled diplomats in Brussels with a deep foreboding for future talks, should they develop in the new year to take in the future relationship.

The Times reporting that Tory Brexiteers will launch a no confidence vote in Mrs May this side of Christmas if she attempts to go too far on Northern Ireland.

— TSE (@TSEofPB) December 4, 2017

This is good, but I don’t see how Parliament can “veto” no deal. No deal is the only thing that can’t be stopped: happens automatically on 30 March 2019 00:00 CET. https://t.co/EDwjankchM

— Stephen Bush (@stephenkb) December 4, 2017

Well done the DUP. I said them having the government on a leash after the election would prevent any backsliding.

"Regulatory alignment" between the EU and Northern Ireland aka copying EU law is unacceptable, meaning there would then have to be customs checks between Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom. In other words, making it a 'vassal' of the European Union. Unacceptable in ANY circumstances, Ulster is as British as Surrey is.

The Irish Republic and EU should be told to go and do one - there's going to have to be customs checks on the border between the Republic of Ireland and United Kingdom of Great Britain Northern Ireland: it's EU customs law. For far to long since independence in 1922, southern Ireland has taken us for a ride - they've wanted all the benefits of being in the UK whilst wanting nothing to do with us. Call time on UK-ROI Free Movement, residency rights and defence UNLESS they bow do our demands and agree not to veto any agreement with light customs checks.

In other words, time to get tough and threaten them back.

If May cannot get tough, replace her with somebody who will.


Thoughts?

[-:Undertaker:-]

Brexiteer Tories swinging behind the DUP.

Brexit-backing Conservative MPs have lined up to echo the warning of Democratic Unionist party leader, Arlene Foster, that “any form of regulatory divergence” between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK would be an unacceptable concession in Brexit negotiations.

Several Tory politicians were quick to swing behind their Northern Irish allies on whom they depend for a parliamentary majority after the DUP intervention appeared to scupper any hopes held by Theresa May of completing the first stage of talks with the EU27 on Monday.

Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative leader, told the Guardian: “The prime minister is fully aware that when it comes to the border issue Northern Ireland remains an integral part of the UK and therefore there cannot be any regulatory divergence between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.”

Jacob Rees-Mogg said: “The Conservative and Unionist party has a similar view of the union to that of the DUP.”

[FlyingJesus]

How would it even work since "Britain" is meant to include the lot you can't just be like oh except for this town here they're staying

tbh can see May just being like lol ok bye then since it'll mean they've failed to uphold their part of the deal and won't be getting their coinz but hopefully not