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Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2018 12:02 am
by lexaal
I never understood why the northern ireland backstop is important to eu. It's not EU's job to ensure good conditions for the citizens of UK. It's London's job.

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2018 12:14 pm
by peet
lexaal wrote:QUOTE (lexaal @ Dec 23 2018, 01:02 AM) I never understood why the northern ireland backstop is important to eu. It's not EU's job to ensure good conditions for the citizens of UK. It's London's job.
This has little to do with citizens, only with international trade.

The Ireland - North Ireland border tax loophole must be avoided by the EU overlords.

Shipping tons of goods from - say - France to Ireland free of EU taxes. Than drive it - free of taxes - to North Ireland. Next ship if free of UK taxes to - say - Whales.

For the USA/China/Russia goods it's even better. Pick the cheapest option: either import it directly into the UK according to the UK import tax law, or use the "Ireland Route" if EU import taxes are more profitable.

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2018 2:51 pm
by lexaal
QUOTE The Ireland - North Ireland border tax loophole must be avoided by the EU overlords.[/quote]
The backstop is just an agreement that the border stays open. So simple solution is closing the border. Of course it sucks for the people of northern ireland but they have england as their overlord.

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2018 4:26 pm
by peet
lexaal wrote:QUOTE (lexaal @ Dec 23 2018, 03:51 PM) The backstop is just an agreement that the border stays open. So simple solution is closing the border. Of course it sucks for the people of northern ireland but they have england as their overlord.
Closing the border seems political sensitive in the UK/Ireland. There is a close corporation between cities at both ends at the border. Think of hospital visits. Closing the border brings back nasty memories of the IRA, it was considered a victory to have an "open" border (just as easy as driving from MyLittleCountry™ to Belgium for example.

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2018 6:30 am
by Duckwarrior
lexaal wrote:QUOTE (lexaal @ Dec 23 2018, 02:51 PM) The backstop is just an agreement that the border stays open. So simple solution is closing the border. Of course it sucks for the people of northern ireland but they have england as their overlord.
The eu is concerned because it would suck for the Irish.

Definition of irony: "england as their overlord." https://www.parliament.uk/mps-lords-and ... e-parties/

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2018 1:53 pm
by Raveen
Ireland and the UK have a legal obligation under the Good Friday Agreement to maintain an open border. The EU are standing up for their constituent state by ensuring that this agreement is maintained.

If the border is closed there is a good chance that the UK will return to a state of civil war as sectarian tensions flare up again. That the UK government is ignorant of this and is seemingly actively encouraging a situation where people will die is a travesty.

Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2019 2:17 am
by Broodwich
Well, that went poof. Anyone over there coming to their senses yet?

Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2019 9:04 am
by Bunnywabbit
The other simple solution is to just sell northern Ireland to the Irish. It's not like having Northern Island in the union has been an unequivocal boon to the UK. But of course national *#$@-measuring would stand in the way of that.

Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2019 2:56 pm
by Duckwarrior
Broodwich wrote:QUOTE (Broodwich @ Jan 16 2019, 02:17 AM) Well, that went poof. Anyone over there coming to their senses yet?
If I tell you that the deputy leader of the opposition is currently tweeting about the government proposal to means test the TV licence for over 75's - in the middle of the biggest constitutional crisis in my lifetime, bearing in mind that the leader of the opposition yesterday tabled a motion for a vote of no confidence in the government - which is being voted on tonight.

Does that give you a $#@!ing clue into the state of the @#(!fest that is currently passing itself off as our elected house?

It is only the fact that the government & opposition are equally unelectable showers of @#(! that prevents an exasperated public from storming the HoP with pitchforks.

Did you ever think you would be longing for the days of George W. & Tony Blair?

Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2019 3:19 pm
by pkk
What does not kill BREXIT, makes BREXIT stronger. - Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche :death: