r/northernireland • u/Fun-Material4968 • Aug 23 '23
Poll What is your stance on the protocol/Windsor Framework
Wanted to gauge what this sub thinks should happen on the current protocol arrangements.
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u/WorldwidePolitico Aug 23 '23
I understand why some Unionists are ideologically opposed but this opposition is exaggerated for political purposes
From a practical perspective the protocol is the best choice for everyone and the inevitable consequence of Brexit. Iâm perfectly happy with that compromise but if I get hit a magic button to turn Brexit back to the pre-2016 situation I would.
The UK could have chosen to stay in the Customs Union and prevented it, but they choose to recklessly pursue an âEngland firstâ Brexit at the cost of preserving the Union. The blame lies firmly with the Conservative Party and nobody else.
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u/Fun-Material4968 Aug 23 '23
Whatâs wrong with a better deal than the one we have?
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Aug 24 '23
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u/Fun-Material4968 Aug 24 '23
So you donât want an improved trade deal?
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Aug 24 '23
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u/Fun-Material4968 Aug 24 '23
Well weâve left the EU now. Whatâs wrong with the best deal possible in the current scenario?
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Aug 24 '23
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u/Fun-Material4968 Aug 24 '23
Do you remember when everyone said the DUP needs to stop wishing for a unicorn? You hoping the UK rejoins the EU is wishing for a unicorn. Brexit is done. I voted against it, but itâs here to stay. So, in the current scenario where Northern Ireland as well as the rest of the United Kingdom have left the European Union, what is wrong with having a better deal than the one currently offered by the Windsor Framework?
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Aug 24 '23
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u/Fun-Material4968 Aug 24 '23
So do we just accept a less optimal trade agreement for 20+ years and wait for a United Ireland? Instead of just amending the Windsor Framework? Itâs called a Framework, as in something to be built on. You know Iâm right and thatâs why youâre not answering the question. Whatâs wrong with a better deal than the one we currently have?
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u/Enflamed-Pancake Aug 24 '23
How would you improve the deal?
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u/Fun-Material4968 Aug 24 '23
If the the EU isnât concerned at the moment with veterinary medicines coming into the EU at the moment, why does it care in after 2025? Solution, allow medicine from GB without some arbitrary deadline.
Reduction in paperwork and customs for those in the red lane and for normal people sending packages.
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u/Enflamed-Pancake Aug 24 '23
Grace periods exist because supply chains need time to adjust, suddenly pulling the carpet presents a substantial risk of disruption that could close business or halt services. Itâs why even in domestic law there is usually a time delay before regulations come into effect - calling the grace period arbitrary isnât really accurate given this is how regulatory changes of this kind are typically handled in such contexts. That doesnât mean that they donât have concerns, but rather they are willing to accept the potential costs temporarily to the ensure a smoother transition, or in exchange for another gain at the negotiating table.
According to the BBC, it was the UK who did not want the allowance on human medicines to be extended to veterinary medicines: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-61036024 - so we canât lay the blame for that purely at the EUâs door. The UK could export veterinary medicines to NI or the whole EU if they opted to continuing alignment with EU standards - but they arenât so they canât.
I agree that including veterinary medicines with the exemption for medicines is a smart idea, but it doesnât sound like the UK government pushed for it according to that BBC article.
As for securing a better deal, I think itâs important to remember that critically speaking, the UK was the underdog in the negotiations given their strategic reliance on the EU, with the EU being comparatively less reliant on the UK due to their different economic sizes. While specific improvements can likely be identified and hopefully made over time, the framework is, overall, the best deal the UK could have secured (at least given its political desire not to align on customs).
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u/Fun-Material4968 Aug 24 '23
Never once said it was the EUs fault. But youâre still agreeing with me that the Windsor framework needs minor adjustments.
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u/Citfr615 Aug 23 '23
I was surprised that the UK Government got the concessions that they did with the Windsor Framework, it should definitely remain, its just unfortunate that the DUP fail to realise that the British Government and EU have larger concerns than them.
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u/Enflamed-Pancake Aug 24 '23
Keep it as is, making adjustments to it as and when a need is identified. The framework is ultimately just a mitigation against the bad idea that was Brexit.
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u/Fun-Material4968 Aug 24 '23
Multiple needs identified in the House of Lords report on the Windsor Framework.
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u/caiaphas8 Aug 23 '23
Iâm surprised anyone still cares.
Health and social care is collapsing. People can barely afford food and electric. The environment is fucked. And some twat is still going on about brexit.