Today we are told that Britain has agreed there will be 'continued regulatory alignment' between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/dec/04/meps-say-uk-has-conceded-on-ireland-border-in-brexit-talks
What does this mean?
It is not the same as saying NI will remain in the Customs Union and the Single Market. It may not even be the same as saying 'no regulatory divergence'.
But it is hugely significant I think. Unless it is prepared to accept regulatory divergence between NI and Britain then it must continue aligned with EU rules on food safety, animal welfare, medical drugs etc.
But what about labour and environmental standards? Is Britain now precluded from the 'race to the bottom' the Brexiteers wanted?
I would be interested in international opinion on this development
Thanks
Denis MacShane@DenisMacShane
If this is the text "The UK will ensure that there continues to be no divergence from those rules of the internal market and the customs union which, now or in the future, support North South cooperation and the protection of the Good Friday agreement" it means NI stays in CU, SM
3:47 PM - Dec 4, 2017
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