Amended Backstop

[PhotEx]

Well this bit;s a nonsense
4/5 EU commits to give UK the option to exit the Single Customs Territory unilaterally, while the other elements of the backstop must be maintained to avoid a hard border. UK will not be forced into customs union against its will.

Effectively the EU has devised a new concept of Customs Territory, which If I were other member states I'd be saying "hold on a cotton picking minute, these territories are ours and the customs bit is dependent on us. The other factor is that the EEA appears to have been cherry picked. "The UK will not be forced into a Customs Union against it's will"- "whilst other elements of the Backstop must be maintained to avoid a hard border. " So Ireland actually has no say in it's border with us. Well done Ireland oh well done. Like I say the CTA effectively comes to an end for Ireland.

Correctomundo.... it’s all all the CTA

The CTA is a pretty unique and highly beneficial arrangement for the RoI, but the EU hates it.
Ending the CTA will allow the EU to put its first helot State, the RoI, totally under it’s boot as it creates the United EU Provinces of Ireland

 

[LeoRoverman]

CTA is do with people

Customs is to do with goods

Your'e telling me.

 

[LeoRoverman]

Correctomundo.... it’s all all the CTA

The CTA is a pretty unique and highly beneficial arrangement for the RoI, but the EU hates it.
Ending the CTA will allow the EU to put its first helot State, the RoI, totally under it’s boot as it creates the United EU Provinces of Ireland

How very Williamite

 

[irlsgt]

That is scary and gives MS very little input to the negotiations. That graph is one reminding the MS of their place and not to buck the Commission!

You mean apart from the European Council x 4 times (including the mandate, so eg PMTM gets a say) and the Parliament (ie your MEPs).

And the MS have to ratify it depending on the type of agreement

 

[Auld-Yin]

You mean apart from the European Council x 4 times (including the mandate, so eg PMTM gets a say) and the Parliament (ie your MEPs).

And the MS have to ratify it depending on the type of agreement

Yes, exactly that, all decisions are made by the Commission with countries just being asked to ratify. Apparently the Commission are not that keen on "Mixed agreements".

 

[irlsgt]

Yes, exactly that, all decisions are made by the Commission with countries just being asked to ratify. Apparently the Commission are not that keen on "Mixed agreements".

And as I said the Council (ie the political leaders of all the MS) provide the mandate, are consulted and have to approve it

 

[PhotEx]

And as I said the Council (ie the political leaders of all the MS) provide the mandate, are consulted and have to approve it

Except when the EUs decides what’s best for you.

 

[Graculus]

The EU signed a trade treaty with Canada and assured us that everything from that point forward was just a matter of formalities. Then Germany decided there was a clause in there they didn't like, and that no the treaty was not going forward, signed by the EU or not. Thereafter followed mad last minute top level negotiations directly between Canada and Germany to find something acceptable to both sides, with the EU then being informed of what had been decided on and the changes were incorporated into the treaty.

Get used to it, it's how the world works and the UK will have to be prepared for this in dealing with anyone else. No treaty text is final until all parities have ratified it in their parliaments. It's not at all unusual for one party to come back and say that there is some unexpected problem which jeopardises their ability to get it ratified. These things are often settled in side letters which don't appear in the treaty text but which supersede treaty provisions for those parties, so you don't necessarily know about them if you just read the treaty itself. Sometimes the issue never gets settled but if the issue is not fundamental to the treaty itself then both sides may go ahead anyway while nullifying that part.

The treaty affected both federal and provincial levels of government in Canada, as well as on the EU side as well. In Canada this was handled by a consultation process which kept provincial governments in the loop and ensured that their agreement on points which were in their jurisdiction was secured in advance. Consultation on the EU side of things seemed to be an absolute train wreck by comparison, see above for just one example. I don't know whether the EU can approve the Brexit withdrawal agreement on their own, or if they need the approval of the parliaments of each EU member. If the latter, then going by Canadian experience don't be surprised if multiple countries raise objections and demand that something be renegotiated. I'm not making any predictions here, just pointing out a potential problem.

I know how the world works, particularly the diplomatic side....it's the rule Britannia it should be the easiest thing inthe world gang you need to address.

People would be surprised how long the wording of a simple statement abandoning the armed struggle could take...and who turned to who for advice...

 

[Graculus]

Really?

Probably

No? It would be a minority Conservative government but nobody else got enough votes to take power. Even if the DUP didn't prop up the Conservatives they are never going to go in to coalition with Labour.
No DUP support and May would still be PM. Even a Labour/SNP/LibDem/Sinn Fein coalition would still have fallen short of a beating the Conservatives

318 to 311 and we'd have another election PDQ, DUP are in heaven for them.

 

[jagman2]

318 to 311 and we'd have another election PDQ, DUP are in heaven for them.

Thats is a possible outcome. But not a certainty which is what you suggested.

Probability is that we would still have a Conservative government.

 

[ugly]

Thats is a possible outcome. But not a certainty which is what you suggested.

Probability is that we would still have a Conservative government.

Sadly a case of better the devil you know!

 

[ordinaryforces]

Border issue solved

 

[LeoRoverman]

View attachment 381868
Border issue solved

status quo then!!

 

[Graculus]

Thats is a possible outcome. But not a certainty which is what you suggested.

Probability is that we would still have a Conservative government.

It's probable that it would have lasted a year tops. Too many within don't support PM.