The Thin End

There are no credible proposals, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson is playing games.  So much so that his statement to Parliament today had scant regard for the legal text of the plans he submitted. According to the Irish Prime Minister, they deviated significantly.  The Prime Minister says the government is committed to finding solutions "compatible" with the Good Friday Agreement.   The Peace process he says is the "fundamental basis for governance in Northern Ireland and protecting it is the highest priority for all." Yet, Johnson's proposals would run a coach and horses through the heart of the Good Friday Peace process.  He says there will be "no hard border" with the Republic of Ireland. But this is predicated on electronic customs checks, which in turn depend on businesses working within the law. I am not convinced that bootleggers will easily be found at their point of destination and checked, electronically or otherwise.  T...

If you listen to Boris Johnson speaking in the Republic of Ireland today you would think he was doing everything to avoid the 'failure' of a no-deal Brexit.   The UK Prime Minister now says a no-deal Brexit would be   "a failure of statecraft for which we would all be responsible." Yet, he still panders to the 'no-deal' lobby back home.  Those who always say 'leave means leave' or that they voted for no-deal. Boris Johnson's position is disingenuous.  He has presented no new ideas for a deal, yet he says 'a deal can be found'. Boris is deceiving the British people, which is why today he is proroguing parliament so he cannot be found out. The 'failure of statecraft' has already been made.  It is made in the failure to address the very real issues arising from Brexit and our relationship with the EU moving forward.   It follows from the consequences of no-deal, with delays at ports leading to the insecurity of food suppl...