The Irish Question revisited

It is very clear both Frost and Johnson were fully aware. So were Forster and Paisley too. And Poots (sp?)

"This line is that a requirement to comply with legal obligations is to be dismissed as ‘legal purism’.

This line is being promoted at the moment by Brexit minister Lord Frost in respect of the obligations of the United Kingdom under the Northern Irish Protocol (obligations that, of course, Frost himself negotiated and endorsed).

Frost avers that for the European Union to require the United Kingdom to comply with this obligations is to take a ‘purist’ approach."

davidallengreen.com

The EU has always expected third countries to comply with legal agreements. It is time that Frost realised that we are now a third country and if we do not behave honourable it will become more and more difficult to strike deals anywhere in the world as the UK is no longer regarded as trustworthy.

Varian, I agree.

"The EU has always expected third countries to comply with legal agreements." But it doesn't necessarily apply the same standards to its own behaviour - as in its infamous (and thankfully short-lived) triggering of Article 16 recently.

This was always going to be a problem, as anyone with half a brain could foresee. Looks like they went for Brexit regardless, thinking no doubt that this issue could be blurred by some kind of sleight of hand later.

Demonstrably, it can't.

As has been said, the border must be either on the island of Ireland or in the Irish Sea.

Biden is going to make a public speech in which amongst other things he is going to tell Johnson that he (Johnson) is messing around with peace in NI.

It seems that Johnson will be brought to heel as Biden is getting him to sign a bi- partite charter in which Johnson promises amongst other areas, to protect the GFA.

How do we feel about another country lecturing us about domestic matters?
We didn’t like it when Trump did it and while I have a lot of respect for Biden, it doesn’t sit too comfortably with me.

Not comfortable with POTUS telling a UK PM how/what to do.
Many on GN would have been up in arms or alternatively laughing if POTUS Trump had waded in

GrannyGravy13

Not comfortable with POTUS telling a UK PM how/what to do.
Many on GN would have been up in arms or alternatively laughing if POTUS Trump had ^waded in^

True but beggars can’t be choosers can they?

Biden should butt out. It’s nothing to do with him. Can you imagine if Boris Johnson told him how to manage the border with Mexico?

It beggars belief.

Also Biden is actually perfectly entitled to comment as the GFA is an international agreement and the USA had a large involvement in its construction.

Johnson breaks the law with impunity but when it comes to international law he is up against very powerful forces, so will have to toe the line unlike in the U.K. where he thumbs his nose at everyone, including Her Maj.

Thank God there are people in this world who don't fall for Johnson's bluff and bluster and intend to hold the line. Go Biden and the EU I hope you don't give him an inch, no make that a millimetre.

MawBe

How do we feel about another country lecturing us about domestic matters?
We didn’t like it when Trump did it and while I have a lot of respect for Biden, it doesn’t sit too comfortably with me.

We, the powerless, need some support and I welcome it.

As it stands the U.K. has two choices, they either draw the border down the Irish Sea (which is where it is at the moment) or between Ireland and NI, which breaks the GFA.

We all new the effect of a border in the Irish Sea, this argument has been rehearsed since before the referendum.

Why Johnson/Cummings thought it would make no difference is simply not credible.

We know, as previous members of the economic block that it functions on strict and fair rules, so it is never going to bend these rules for a third country.

We signed up to this with Johnson’s “oven ready deal” in December 2019.

It is hoped that Biden can apply pressure to make Johnson see sense.

MawBe

How do we feel about another country lecturing us about domestic matters?
We didn’t like it when Trump did it and while I have a lot of respect for Biden, it doesn’t sit too comfortably with me.

But you see it isn’t a domestic matter.

Biden would not be so stupid to meddle in a country’s domestic issue, but this is an international matter, and as co-signatory to the GFA he must advise etc.

I’m very comfortable with Biden bringing Johnson to heel. Extremely comfortable. I’m hoping he rips him to shreds in all honesty.

Bodach

"The EU has always expected third countries to comply with legal agreements." But it doesn't necessarily apply the same standards to its own behaviour - as in its infamous (and thankfully short-lived) triggering of Article 16 recently.

People on here though will ignore the EU transgressions, as to them they do not matter.

What transgressions?

Polarbear2

I’m very comfortable with Biden bringing Johnson to heel. Extremely comfortable. I’m hoping he rips him to shreds in all honesty.

If they sold tickets to watch that I'd pay, I bet they could raise enough money to make up the 0.7% for aid to the poorest in the world.

I think it’s long overdue for the UK Government to be called to account for selling Northern Ireland down the line to achieve Brexit. The combined efforts of Biden and the EU imposing what is already in the Brexit agreement and was signed up to should do the trick. I hope so for the sake of the NI citizens who are having a difficult time of it at the moment.

Chickens and roost spring to mind

Whitewavemark2

Also Biden is actually perfectly entitled to comment as the GFA is an international agreement and the USA had a large involvement in its construction.

Johnson breaks the law with impunity but when it comes to international law he is up against very powerful forces, so will have to toe the line unlike in the U.K. where he thumbs his nose at everyone, including Her Maj.

The USA also had a lot of involvement stirring the troubles, many supplying money for the IRA, and weapons. ˋThe peace in NI is threatened by paramilitary squads, and also by the success of the PCTF force successfully dealing with drug enforcement and criminals are exploiting political discontent for their own ends.‘ DW.

If we put ourselves in a position where we are desperate for a trade deal with the US then we grovel to them.

I really don't understand why the people who voted to cut the UK adrift from its biggest trading partner and elected the world's foremost narcissistic liar to do the job are complaining. They are getting what they voted for. A diminished and demeaned country.

The biggest issues are first the sanitary and photo sanitary controls, from which we all benefited from enormously as members of the economic block.

Johnson agreed that it would be imposed by 01/10/21.

This will be a killer for the meat, egg and diary trade.

It was all in the public domain before the referendum

“ project fear” was the reply. Frost must have been asleep when these argument were being thrashed out, as he is claiming that these arguments could not have been foreseen!! Really!?

The EU have suggest alignment with the EU rules, but of course this is anathema to Johnson.

The U.K. has muttered about unilaterally extending the grace period on the ban of processed chilled meat like mince or sausages.

This breach of EU rules would almost certainly lead to the EU taking the U.K. to arbitration or enforcing tariffs on U.K. goods entering the SM.

None of it has a good look for the U.K., as once again it is threatening to break international law.

Biden has already tweeted his concern at the U.K. breaking international law.

Let us hope Johnson learns this lesson.