On Monday, the #Irish Prime Minister, #Leo Varadkar was quick to reject Theresa May's suggestion that a border similar to that between the US and Canada could present a solution to the Irish Border question.

May had floated the idea in response to a question from Labour MP Emma Reynolds, asking for an example of how the Irish border could look post-Brexit. In response, Brexit shadow minister, Jenny Chapman, pointed out that the US-Canada border was guarded by armed officers, sentiments echoed immediately by the #Irish Prime Minister.

Technological Solutions

Outlining the government's thought process, May said that this was just one of the possible solutions, along with many other examples of soft borders across the globe. Technological solutions had been put forward as a possible solution by the European Parliament and supported by the British government. CCTV cameras, as well as automated number plate recognition, would track goods crossing the #Irish border, thus eliminating the need for personnel on the ground. However, security experts cast doubts on the effectiveness of such technological checks.

Irish border issue highlights May's Difficulties

Whenever the #Irish border comes up for discussion, Theresa May's difficulties become all the more apparent.

Divisions within the Tory party combined with pressure from May's coalition partner, the DUP, highlight the precarious position May finds herself in.

As recently as last week, the Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson, appeared to concede that a border was inevitable. In a leaked letter to the Prime Minister, Johnson suggested that preventing the border from becoming significantly harder rather than trying to maintain no border at all was the task at hand.

These comments were met with outrage in the House of Commons during Prime Minister's questions last week when Jeremy Corbyn responded to the leaked letter:

A few days earlier, the European Parliament's proposal that Northern Ireland would remain in the customs union to avoid a hard border reaped rejection from the Prime Minister and her party colleagues.

Conscious of her reliance on the DUP to keep her in government, May said that no Prime Minister would jeopardize the integrity of the United Kingdom.

May's Conflicting Stance on #Irish Border Issue

Having campaigned to remain in the EU, May's view of the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland has changed. Though, as Prime Minister, she insists that there will be no hard border post-Brexit, her views were once rather different.

Irish Border May Be the Most Difficult Issue Yet

WIth both the Irish Government and the European Parliament ruling out a hard border, and the British government's firm rejection of the idea o leaving Northern Ireland in the customs union, finding a solution palatable to all involved appears to be an uphill task.

Implementing Brexit, maintaining the integrity of the United Kingdom, and honouring the Good Friday Agreement - Theresa May has her work cut out.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED