The green roar

For hundreds of years, England (And it is always England) has enoyed the dominant role in British and UK politics, able to bully or press the other nations of the Union or the other countries that make up this Albion to their will.

Ireland was nearly starved to death in the 19th century, marking the start of a migration of millions of Irish poor to the four corners of the globe. Even when granted a nation status, England has looked down on Eire, barely recognising its existence, let alone it might have a view on things.

And then came along the Common Market which became the EU, and all nations became equals. All was fine, as all followed the rules that each had helped write and negotiate.

And now there’s Brexit.

Britain, and parts of the NI, at least politically, has left the EU. Brexiteers cared little about Wales and Scotland, less about NI and almost nothing or Ireland. The border between regulatory areas had to go somewhere, it was just a case of accepting where that would be. That there would be one was inevitable once May stated the UK would leave the SM and CU of the EU.

May’s solution was to have the border across Ireland, between NI and Eire. This would have been impossible to police. Smuggling and other activities along its length, there roads, lanes cross, cross and cross again, sometimes in the space of a few hundred yards, would have been endemic.

Along comes Boris, and accepts the solution May said no UK Prime Minister said could accept: a border in the Irish Sea between Britain and NI.

Both solutions would require difficult choices and were also both politically dangerous. No, explosive.

But the choice was made. But even though the WA made clear a border would be created in the Irish Sea, breaking the UK single market, Johnson denied this.

And yet it was inevitable. Mandated. And required under international law.

So when the UK Government under Johnson’s leadership, Ireland speaks loud.

And has the backing of the EU. All 26 other states.

And of the US Congress.

And the chair of the Ways and Means Committee in the US which approves US trade agreements.

And Trump’s envoy.

The UK Government has backtracked twice already, and that is before scrutiny of the white paper in the Lords takes place.

This is the new reality. Ireland speaks with the full support of the two countries the UK has to conclude trade deals with, break the law and there is no trade deals.

The full impact of the disaster the IMB has been for international relations for the UK will be similar to that of Suez in 1956. That remains to be seen, but the speed of the rowback is remarkable. And not yet finished.