We’re in Alice in Wonderland — not in the EU, but applying its regulatory rules, in the UK customs union but applying EU customs rules

Well our fate is sealed, the NI Protocol will come into effect regardless of the agreement or no agreement on a wider UK-EU trade deal.

We have gone down the rabbit hole into an Alice in Wonderland world — not in the EU, but applying its regulatory rules; in the UK customs union but applying EU customs rules at our ports; in the UK single market but also in the EU single market for goods.

No border in Ireland but a semi border in the Irish sea; able to trade apparently freely with no tariffs or quotas with GB and the EU simultaneously regardless of any wider deals.

Our citizens will still be able to move freely and work in the EU (if they have an Irish passport) but not if they feel British and have a UK passport.

This might be great for trade, not so much for the continuation of the Union with Britain, unless we become so prosperous due to our halfway house status that nobody wants to change the arrangements, other than fanatical republicans.

The next few years will be interesting.

F.E.McClintock, Belfast BT4

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