A thread imagining how an Irish EU exit would affect the UK tells you all you need to know
Brexit is arguably the most divisive topic to affect the UK since the English Civil War – or the gold and white dress – with opposing groups unable to agree on whether it’s a looming catastrophe or a wonderful opportunity. The pro-Brexit lobby has made a number of statements which don’t bear scrutiny, such as claiming that the Irish Border doesn’t pose a real problem and is simply a red herring to thwart their plans.
To help people see these claims from a different perspective, Twitter user, @37paday has imagined how the situation might look to the UK if it had been the Republic of Ireland which had voted to leave the European Union. It’s a long thread, but it’s excellent food for thought.
1.
1/ Imagine the Republic of Ireland had decided to leave the EU rather than the UK
— Alexander (@37paday) October 27, 2018
2.
2/ The UK would demand ROI pays its liabilities as part of the exit process and would be clear article 50 does not require a binding agreement on the future relationship to be reached
— Alexander (@37paday) October 27, 2018
3.
3/ The UK would be telling ROI that if it’s redlines are being out of the SM, the CU and not subject to the ECJ then that limits what deal ROI can get
— Alexander (@37paday) October 27, 2018
4.
4/ After all why should 27 member states change their rules for a member state that is leaving
— Alexander (@37paday) October 27, 2018
5.
5/ Imagine if the ROI asked for the EU to rollover all the EU’s trade deals so treating ROI as if it was still an EU member for an 18 month transition? Would the UK agree?
— Alexander (@37paday) October 27, 2018
6.
6/ Imagine the ROI insisted that no deal was better than a bad deal and the UK asked how that solve the GFA?
— Alexander (@37paday) October 27, 2018
7.
7/ Imagine if the ROI said the Irish border issue was a “confected” issue?
— Alexander (@37paday) October 27, 2018
8.
8/ Imagine if the ROI Government had sent a leaflet to every home as to the consequences of leaving the EU but without once mentioning the GFA
— Alexander (@37paday) October 27, 2018
9.
9/ Imagine if the ROI had issues its article 50 notice threatening a lack of security cooperation if it did not get a good deal
— Alexander (@37paday) October 27, 2018
10.
10/ Imagine if the ROI had no plan as to what it wanted but accused the EU and UK of a lack of respect while also telling the Eu to go whistle
— Alexander (@37paday) October 27, 2018
11.
11/ Imagine if no deal was done whether the UK would choose not to apply border controls as required by the WTO?
— Alexander (@37paday) October 27, 2018
12.
12/ Imagine if to avoid all the chaos the UK said well you can change mind and stay?
— Alexander (@37paday) October 27, 2018
13.
13/ Imagine if the ROI declines that offer and chose not to stay in the SM and a CU and that led to a hard border
— Alexander (@37paday) October 27, 2018
