What an Irish Sea border would mean for the UK
Experts say businesses will face extra costs and admin under Boris Johnson’s alternative to Irish backstop
Tory grandee Michael Heseltine has accused Boris Johnson of lying to the Democratic Unionist Party over the Irish Sea border.
Speaking to Sky News, the former deputy-prime minister said that alienating the Northern Irish party was one “of the many things Boris Johnson has got wrong”.
“He went to their conference and, in black and white, he said there would be no border down the Irish Sea. That was a lie, by any standards. He has now completely reneged on that,” said Heseltine.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
So what does Johnson’s deal propose?
The prime minister’s Brexit deal includes an alternative backstop that would create a border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK if a main trade deal cannot be reached with the EU before the end of the transition period.
The border - effectively a line in the Irish Sea - would mean that goods entering the island of Ireland are checked for standards and tariffs before their arrival, says The Guardian. This would mean that trade across the actual border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland could continue without disruption.
Hauliers taking goods across the sea would have their cargo inspected by officials to ensure they are complying with EU rules, and would have to fill out customs declarations, the i news site explains.
The Government says these checks could take place at factories and warehouses instead of in ports, in an effort to limit lengthy delays at key infrastructure points.
Experts say most UK exports to Northern Ireland won’t face tariffs, according to fact-checking website Full Fact.–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For more political analysis - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Get your first six issues free––��––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
What is the DUP’s objection?
The party is against any measures that compromise regulatory alignment between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
DUP leaders are concerned that Johnson’s alternative to the backstop arrangements will be adopted and then become the new norm.
“These arrangements will become the settled position in these areas for Northern Ireland. This drives a coach and horses through the professed sanctity of the Belfast [Good Friday] agreement,” said the DUP in a statement.
“For all of these reasons it is our view that these arrangements would not be in Northern Ireland’s long-term interests.”
What would it mean for business?
The head of HM Revenue and Customs, Jim Harra, has warned that British and Irish businesses which trade solely within the UK would face considerable extra costs and admin under Johnson’s deal.
On Tuesday, Harra told the Treasury Select Committee that the new arrangements would “feel like a commercial border” in the Irish Sea thanks to customs declarations and tariffs, says The Times.
He said: “We don’t envisage a significant level of physical checks but that is something that could be required to give effect to EU regulatory standards.”
His comments came hours after the Government released an impact assessment of its plans that admitted the PM’s Brexit deal “will result in additional administrative costs to businesses”.
The director general at the British Chambers of Commerce, Adam Marshall, said: “Northern Irish businesses and British businesses that trade with Northern Ireland will understandably have questions about what administrative requirements and costs they will incur if this comes into effect.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why Bhutan hopes tourists will put a smile back on its face
Under The Radar The 'kingdom of happiness' is facing economic problems and unprecedented emigration
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
7 beautiful towns to visit in Switzerland during the holidays
The Week Recommends Find bliss in these charming Swiss locales that blend the traditional with the modern
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Werewolf bill
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
John Prescott: was he Labour's last link to the working class?
Today's Big Quesiton 'A total one-off': tributes have poured in for the former deputy PM and trade unionist
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Last hopes for justice for UK's nuclear test veterans
Under the Radar Thousands of ex-service personnel say their lives have been blighted by aggressive cancers and genetic mutations
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Donald Trump wreck the Brexit deal?
Today's Big Question President-elect's victory could help UK's reset with the EU, but a free-trade agreement with the US to dodge his threatened tariffs could hinder it
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is the next Tory leader up against?
Today's Big Question Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick will have to unify warring factions and win back disillusioned voters – without alienating the centre ground
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Lammy hoping to achieve in China?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary heads to Beijing as Labour seeks cooperation on global challenges and courts opportunities for trade and investment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Britain about to 'boil over'?
Today's Big Question A message shared across far-right groups listed more than 30 potential targets for violence in the UK today
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
UK's Starmer slams 'far-right thuggery' at riots
Speed Read The anti-immigrant violence was spurred by false rumors that the suspect in the Southport knife attack was an immigrant
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published