We need more detail on post-Brexit border arrangements
Posted By: August 01, 2016
Irish News. Editorial (Belfast). July 28, 2016
In the two weeks since she assumed the office of prime minister, Theresa May has been on a whistle-stop tour of engagements with key players keen to hear how she intends to navigate the UK’s exit from the EU.
Having already visited Scotland and Wales, Mrs May arrived in Belfast on Monday where she met the first minister and deputy first minister at Stormont.
This was a highly stage-managed visit which left little room for any detailed questions from the waiting media, which was a pity as people in Northern Ireland have every reason to be anxious about post-Brexit arrangements, particularly in relation to the border.
In the run up to the referendum vote on June 23, it will be recalled that the then home secretary, as she was, said it was `inconceivable’ that the free movement of goods, trades and services across the border would be unaffected by a decision to leave the EU.
On Monday, Mrs May said: “Nobody wants to return to the borders of the past”. She added that she wanted to find a `practical solution’ for everybody.
This is all frustratingly vague for people in Northern Ireland and the Republic who are worried about the free movement of trade and people on this island and want to hear definite information on future cross-border structures.
After a meeting between Mrs May and Taoiseach Enda Kenny in Downing Street on Tuesday, both agreed there should be no return to a hard border.
As Mr Kenny put it: “There will be no hard border from Dundalk to Derry in the context of it being a European border, and by that I mean customs posts every mile along the road.”
Clearly, no one wants to see customs posts along the border which would have a hugely detrimental economic impact, north and south.
But having ruled out a return to border posts, the question remains how will Britain exert control over immigration following a withdrawal from the European Union, which was one of the primary issues for those who voted Leave?
Theresa May did say she wanted to strengthen the external borders of the common travel area and suggested a “common approach to the use of passenger data.”
Again, it is not entirely clear what all this would mean in practical terms.
A firm commitment to keeping the border open and allowing people to travel freely north and south is something that will be welcomed.
But we need to hear in greater detail just how the common travel area will be maintained once Britain leaves the EU.
jenny downing on
