Brexit discussion thread XIV (Please read OP before posting)

reslfj · 11-06-2025 10:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123535213#Comment_123535213

The SM is more important for goods across the GIB→ES(i.e. EU) border.

The SM require accept of the ECJ as top court (or EEA membership via the EFTS pillar and accept the EFTA court)

Lars 😀

breezy1985 · 12-06-2025 06:20AM

Gibraltar was 95% remain there won't be anyone trying to self sabotage for ideological reasons like the Unionists did.

yagan · 12-06-2025 07:08AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123535977#Comment_123535977

Just to recap, NI is not in the SM but in the customs union which allows customs free trade, but not for services?

Peregrinus · 12-06-2025 08:11AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123536214#Comment_123536214

The customs union allows trade in goods between its members, free of customs duties. Trade in services doesn't attract customs duties, so the question of freeing trade in services from customs duties doesn't arise.

The customs union doesn't facilitate trade in goods in other ways. Within the single market, goods coming from (say) France to (say) Ireland are presumed to comply with applicable goods standards, because common standards for goods apply throughout the SM. This is an aspect of the SM, not of the customs union, so a territory that was in the customs union but not the single market wouldn't benefit from this. Goods imported from such a territory would still have to be demonstrated to be compliant with EU market standards, and there would be cost/delay associated with satisfying this requirement. This is what's called a non-tariff barrier to trade.

Seth Brundle · 07-10-2025 10:44PM

The EU is set to double tariffs on steel from 25% to 50% which will hurt the UK steel industry. In addition, countries which had been selling into the EU could end up flooding the UK with their steel...

https://news.sky.com/story/uk-steel-set-for-further-hit-as-eu-to-double-tariffs-13446530

reslfj · 08-10-2025 02:34AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123887380#Comment_123887380

"Steel is explicitly included as a qualifying good under the TCA's general trade in goods framework".

The EU has a no tariff, no quota FTA treaty with the UK that includes steel (when RoO fulfilled).

Why should the TCA not continue unchanged when the EU introduces steel tariffs on other countries without a FTA or with a FTA not including steel ?

Lars 😀

Seth Brundle · 17-12-2025 12:38PM

The UK is to rejoin Erasmus from 2027 onwards fulfilling a Labour election manifesto promise. Taking a few key lines from the article…

British government under Boris Johnson claimed the programme did not offer value for money during Brexit
The UK government said up to 100,000 people of all ages could benefit in the first year, and stressed that Erasmus membership “will create educational and training opportunities for British apprentices, further education students and adult learners, as well as those in higher education”.
The UK’s contribution for 2027 will be approximately £570m, coming from existing departmental budgets.
In a joint statement, they said: “The United Kingdom association to Erasmus+ in 2027 would offer significant opportunities across the education, training, sport and youth sectors for individuals in the United Kingdom and the European Union, particularly for those in the younger generation.
The UK government said the terms would ensure “value for UK taxpayers while guaranteeing full participation benefits”.

UK to rejoin EU’s Erasmus student exchange programme – The Irish Times

yagan · 17-12-2025 03:04PM

I guess the alternative scheme to Erasmus that Bojo set up will be let wither from memory.

bored65 · 19-02-2026 09:22AM

yet another study showing negative impact of Brexit

https://cepr.org/voxeu/columns/brexits-slow-burn-hit-uk-economy

“Using almost a decade of data since the referendum, the authors combine simulations based on macro data with estimates derived from micro data. These estimates suggest that by 2025, Brexit had reduced UK GDP by 6% to 8%, with the impact accumulating gradually over time. Investment, employment, and productivity were all affected, reflecting a combination of elevated uncertainty, reduced demand, diverted management time, and increased misallocation of resources.”

yagan · 20-02-2026 07:37PM

It's now almost certain that Gibraltar will be in the Schengen Zone, meaning that EU citizens can enter with their national IDs. It would be ironic if the UK end up aligned in nearly every other way than full EU membership. It would be brilliant for us to be enter Schengen fully.

Hotblack Desiato · 21-02-2026 01:43AM

UK will never join Schengen so as long as Northern Ireland exists, we can't either.

Capt'n Midnight · 22-02-2026 12:24AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124252924#Comment_124252924

We could insist the UK joins Schengen as a condition for coming back into the EU.

Capt'n Midnight · 22-02-2026 12:27AM

https://www.theregister.com/2026/02/17/uk_single_trade_window/

"The delivery of the Single Trade Window (STW) for the financial year 25/26 has been paused," the FOI response reads. "As a result, there are currently no HMRC staff assigned to the operational delivery of the STW programme

Comments

- "It can't be that bad anyway since we're getting £350 million a day back for the NHS."

-"Plus that £150 billion a year, almost £3 billion a week, trade deal brexiteers said we could secure with China.

Brexit Opportunities Minister, Rees-Mogg, told us brexit would add £135 billion to the economy between 2020 and 2025, and £40 billion a year after that."

Igotadose · 22-02-2026 08:11AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124255602#Comment_124255602

Nice comments. I hadn't heard the phrase "Long Brexit" but it's a keeper.

Hotblack Desiato · 23-02-2026 01:37AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124255595#Comment_124255595

Yeah, because they are sooo keen to rejoin they'll accept all sorts of conditions, including one that plays right into the hands of Reform and assorted far right rabble

Hotblack Desiato · 23-02-2026 01:39AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124255602#Comment_124255602

not sure if you are sure it's sarcasm (but it is)

rock22 · 23-02-2026 09:44AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124258299#Comment_124258299

It is irrelevent what the UK think. The EU need to enforce it's own rules and decisions. And that means insisting on joining Schengen and also the Euro. The UK are quite free to remain outside the EU is that is their choice.

bored65 · 23-02-2026 10:01AM

Iceland and Norway probably be joining quite soon

https://www.politico.eu/article/iceland-fast-track-vote-eu-membership/

All of the instability caused by the Trump Putin Xi axis of authoritarianism is driving countries together

I suspect Brexit will also be revisited in UK soon at this rate as it sinks in that Americans are not reliable allies or even trade partners, especially as Trumps regime keeps meddling in UK politics

Podge_irl · 23-02-2026 03:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124258542#Comment_124258542

That will in fact be the outcome though, which is not a positive for us. In reality, if accession talks were to happen obviously these things would be on the table - not least because the UK joining Schengen would force Ireland to do so.

reslfj · 23-02-2026 03:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124252924#Comment_124252924

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124258542#Comment_124258542

1.

Ireland will have a large word in Brussels regarding Schengen - the UK will not.

But many - AFAIK - in Ireland do not oppose a Schengen membership for Ireland, though its not very important for Irish nor NI citizens.

Much more important for the UK, at the Channel crossings where huge queues can form.

Schengen requires a personal ID - ID card, Passport, or sometimes just an credit-card sized EU drivers license.

You are not checked at internal borders. But within Schengen you are required to be able identify yourself on request from e.g. the police.

The EU will soon have an APP which can show autoritized ID including drivers license.

https://ec.europa.eu/digital-building-blocks/sites/spaces/EUDIGITALIDENTITYWALLET/pages/694487738/EU%2BDigital%2BIdentity%2BWallet%2BHome

This ID APP will be implemented within the next 4-5 years - well before the most optimistic UK timeframe for the UK having fully joined the EU and way before any realistic Schengen transition period has expired.

2.

I am absolutely convinced that the UK will not be allowed any 'half way' join option. When the EU must be open to new members (to prevent a power void within or close to the EU), this will likely result in ~35 EU members within 10 years.

You can't manage 35 different set of rules except the accept and EU support of cultural differences between and within member states.

The absolute need for equal or at least very similar rules within the EU has been shown very vividly by HU, SK and before PM Tusk by Poland too.

Lars 😀

PS! Remember Schengen is NOT FoM for people (perm stay, work, retire within the EU/EEA/CH).

Schengen is just travel for 90 out of any 180 day period.

Seth Brundle · 23-02-2026 04:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124259594#Comment_124259594

I am absolutely convinced that the UK will not be allowed any 'half way' join option. When the EU must be open to new members (to prevent a power void within or close to the EU), this will likely result in ~35 EU members within 10 years.

I would say that the EU will in fact be quite wary of any suggestions from the UK about rejoining - once bitten, twice shy as they say!

The UK might even expect to be able to unlock their old account and continue as they were but, being realistic, this will never happen. If the UK wishes to join the EU then they will have the same conditions as Iceland and any other country seeking access, possibly (hopefully!) with some discussions & clauses about behavioural change.

yagan · 23-02-2026 04:08PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124259557#Comment_124259557

We're already a member of schengen +, so I don't understand why we wouldn't join.

Not being in schengen hasn't stopped human trafficking, but being in schengen + meant we picked up on outstanding warrants.

Podge_irl · 23-02-2026 04:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124259655#Comment_124259655

I imagine we would be happy enough to join if it was a possibility. But legally speaking we have a carve out and I imagine we would be far happier to have the UK in the EU without Schengen then the status quo. And much like Brexit, I am sure our opinion will carry a lot of weight.

I have no doubt the EU will be cautious about re-admitting the UK if it ever comes to it, but if accession talks happen I am also confident that the EU won't be employing the maximalist "take it or leave it" approach that is being suggested here.

Igotadose · 23-02-2026 06:07PM

I thought moving to the Euro would be a prerequisite for UK moving into the EU and, well, that'll take years of yakking if it happens at all. I doubt UK will give that up easily.

yagan · 23-02-2026 06:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124259731#Comment_124259731

I'm actually more optimistic about the UK joining Schengen than rejoining the EU. For a start there's no loss of face for joining something they were never in before, and something that non EU countries are part of. Plus Gibraltar, a UK territory will be already in it.

The real issue for the UK is the national ID question that means it's still an attractive destination in which people can simply disappear into their respective immigrant communities in Britain. It's far harder to do that in most civil law countries where the legal onus is on the individual to always be able to prove their identity, ie National Identity Cards.

Even though we've the same basic common law as Britain it's still far, far harder to live and work in our much smaller economy without encountering some branch of officialdom.

Hotblack Desiato · 24-02-2026 09:07AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124259982#Comment_124259982

Sweden doesn't have an opt-out from joining the Euro, but they just haven't…

(Ironically Denmark does have an opt-out, but the Danish krone is very tightly pegged to the euro while the Swedish krona is not)

Hotblack Desiato · 24-02-2026 09:08AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124260063#Comment_124260063

It doesn't fit in with the idiotic slogan "take back control" so it won't happen.

In these matters, the policy of successive governments is set by the headline writer of The Sun

Igotadose · 24-02-2026 09:24AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261243#Comment_124261243

Didn't know that about Sweden. IMO I don't see the UK rejoining anything for a generation, give the bad blood some time to drain. I mean, which politicians would the UK send that didn't have a history of criticizing the EU?

Plus, I hope it's up to a vote - I wouldn't want 'em, place is a kip. Definitely would sooner vote for Ukraine membership.

I guess I can vote against it should it come to day when Ireland's asked to agree. That won't be for while, it'd be cool if I were still around to vote no on their accession.

yagan · 24-02-2026 09:54AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261247#Comment_124261247

The brits do like a good military control angle though. It was really puzzling to be in England hearing Boris talk about brexit liberation day while at the same time the message on the bus shelter tells me the UK protects Europe!

I'm sure the tabloids could spin the yarn that joining Schengen would be the UK protecting the calamitous EU from itself.

Btw, if they did join they still wouldn't give up physical checks at their airports. Fortress Britain is very much a cultural norm.

Seth Brundle · 24-02-2026 04:32PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124261247#Comment_124261247

ah yes, they were to take back control - how did that work out again?

SKY News spoke to British tourists who were travelling into the EU and subject to the EU's new entry-exit system…

Lanzarote. Two hours from getting off the plane to leaving the airport. Absolute nightmare. Queue after queue. No one knows what they are doing. Not enough staff to deal with it all.
Disneyjulie
I recently flew into Krakow with my youngest son. We spent two hours, 10 minutes waiting to get through passport control. We had no access to water; getting to a toilet was difficult. The border control personnel were just sitting gossiping which inevitably slowed the process.
H's mummy
Arrived in Tenerife South airport to join a snaking queue, took us two hours to get through border security. Adults could use the machines but families are forced to join long queues with no system of arriving planes joining the queue from different areas in the airport. Insane!
dannyw_1990
The new EES is a totally unacceptable affront to UK people given queuing times. We landed at Zurich airport last Saturday and had to wait three hours in passport queues. This has been rolled out without any thought or capacity increase in most European airports.
Only UK for Now
We travelled to Barcelona last week. It took about 90 minutes to get through passport control and this was just for one plane. They only had two staff on the desk. Returning from Spain, there was no queue either side of the journey.
Mark
This has been going on since before December. We were stuck at Berlin airport for two hours after using the EES to register. We then had to do it all again at the border gate waiting to be checked and stamped. Gran Canaria had stopped using the system when we went two weeks ago.
Rich T

'Insane' queues for British holidaymakers at Tenerife, Lisbon and these other popular destinations | Money | Money News | Sky News