Brexit: Options.

Lets have a look at the various options spinning around newsrooms currently.

We know Theresa May's post chequers capitulation is a dead duck. Despite unilateral assurances she can tweak the deal, there are no such assurances from Europe, who will ultimately have to agree any changes legally before they can be debated and agreed by Parliament. To all intents and purposes, it's dead unless the EU machine miraculously caves in.

Soo, on to the Norway option: As dead a Duck as Tessie may's one. Norway was ruled out over 2 years ago during the referendum debate. Norway does have a level of autonomy, especially regarding fishing rights, but in all other aspects they accede to the EU. On trade they accept all EU regulations but have no ability to change the rules. They also have to accept the rule of the ECJ and free movement of people. Dead. In. The. Water.

Vorwarts! to the next option, David Davies' Canada +++ option. Taking the choicest bits of already negotiated trade deals from third countries that have already agreed deals with the EU. Still an option as we are totally free from the EU, but have a ready-made deal in place as we already conform with EU standards in every aspect. Free trade, but no free movement of people. The ECJ only comes into play during trade disputes and does not interfere with day-to-day lawmaking. We are outside the EU tariff scheme and are free to make deals with the world.
I can only think that Tessie will bring this back out of the cupboard as a "plan b" but this time say that it is her own idea, rather than the work of David Davies and his negotiating team. Afraid of DD getting the limelight for the deal was she? Makes you wonder.

The only downside being that pesky border between Northern and Southern Ireland.
Guido reports today that in private the Republic of Ireland are talking of having border checks between them and the EU in order to dispense with the border in Ireland. This is a pragmatic view and one that should suit the people of Ireland on both sides of the border.

The trade between the UK and Ireland continues and the people of Southern Ireland, being the enterprising people they are will no doubt take advantage of the cheaper goods from the UK available outside the EU tariff scheme.

What's not to like about it? Southern Ireland gets the best of both worlds, receiving the grants from the EU for development and the "benefits" of the Euro and being part of a big club, but at the same time being able to dip a toe into the world outside the EU. Trade between the UK and Ireland continue and animal transport continues seamlessly: those lovely Irish racehorses can still come and run at out tracks and we can still trade meat products across the border. But maybe with a little less horsemeat this time eh chaps?