BobKowalski
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- 17 May 2007
- Messages
- 21,511
If the vote is carried tomorrow we move on to the next stage as a third party country as far as the EU is concerned. The Remainers become Rejoiners with no route back except via the Eurozone. The no-deal consequences for a trade deal with the EU are moved forward by 14 months plus whatever extension is agreed but during that interval we are free to negotiate what other international deals we can allowing for 'most favourable etc' constraints and other impediments. The separatists are toast because their basic premise is fatally undermined, Catalonia tactics will not be supported. The EU is deeply wounded in economic terms unless they can persuade the richer countries to support the euro - Merkel has already said the German nett contribution will be revised down when we leave. Politically, their federal objectives will be seen to have been frustrated by other member states and those who do not share them will be encouraged.The DUP's denial of a simple democratic control over their participation does not represent the best future for NI, a united Ireland is demographically inevitable within a decade and this reality is reflected in the proposed deal. NI inside the UK customs territory for existing trade and new deals alongside seamless access to the EU is very important for them economically.
We have been a third country as soon as we triggered A50. And what exactly do we want from these trade deals? What are our objectives? Our redlines? Which sectors of industry are we focusing on? How we will address the issue of Services which is 80% of our economy? How will these deals be negotiated without knowing exactly what our relationship with the EU will be? Will we adopt EU regulations, standards etc?
And if seamless access to the EU is very important economically for NI isn’t that true of Scotland, Wales and England?
Instead of fancy prose how about we start with hard facts and realities?