Day6 - "Politics - not a lack of practical solutions - is preventing a solution to the Irish border problem"
Dr Graham Gudgin is Chief Economic Advisor to Policy Exchange, a member of Briefings for Brexit, an Honorary Research Associate at the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Business Research (CBR) and a former Special Adviser to the Northern Ireland First Minister.
“I believe that an Irish border without physical infrastructure is fully attainable, and that the overly complex Customs Partnership is unnecessary. Arrangements based on the UK’s proposals for an expanded trusted trader scheme and exemptions for small traders will suffice to operate a border without infrastructure. The additional idea of a cordon sanitaire around the whole island for animal health may have additional merit, as long as it carries no constitutional implications that unionists would reject.
The key point is that modern technology means that physical customs posts, or even cameras, are no longer essential at borders. This is the case made by the EU’s own customs expert, Lars Karlsson, who envisages the use of mobile phone and GPS technology to track HGVs, together with the computer-based customs clearing which is the norm across much of the world.
Supporters of UK membership of the EU Customs Union assert that no border exists anywhere in the world without some physical infrastructure. This is true but irrelevant.
Nor do we believe that the Good Friday Agreement is particularly affected by Brexit – a view confirmed by Lord Trimble, who wrote the foreword for our new paper. The reason for avoiding a hard border is rather to avoid endangering officials charged with erecting, maintaining or operating border infrastructure. The danger of dissident paramilitaries attacking infrastructure or the associated officials has been heightened by the over-reaction of opponents of Brexit but precautions are now necessary.
The Irish Government is playing a dangerous game by demanding that Northern Ireland remain within the EU Customs Union and by threatening vetoes. Ireland – more than any EU economy – needs free trade with the UK but has made no efforts to promote such an agreement in Brussels. Indeed, its main effort has been to frustrate moves in this direction, because the Irish border is being used as a weapon by Brussels to influence the Brexit negotiations to its advantage.
The Irish border issue has disproportionately dominated discussion over the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the EU. It has been used as a tool for negotiating advantage by Brussels and political advantage by Dublin.
In London, arch-Remainers have used it to scaremonger about the threat to the Good Friday Agreement and peace in Northern Ireland. These concerns are not supported by evidence. A solution that respects the Brexit referendum and maintains a light-touch border is achievable. A recognition of the economic and political reality, and a little good faith, can help achieve a solution that promotes prosperity for all sides – and preserves peace.
brexitcentral.com/post-brexit-irish-border-without-physical-infrastructure-fully-attainable/