Letter To The Editor From Dublin On Brexit

A chara,

I refer to the speech by the EU’s Chief Negotiator in the Dáil in which Mr Barnier said: “The UK’s departure from the EU will have consequences. Customs controls are part of EU border management. They protect the single market.“

In the light of such plain speaking it is unfortunate that no agreement seems to be forthcoming on a progressive anti-Tory Brexit pact for the Westminister election.

Despite a majority in the Dail and Assembly supporting Special Status for the north, blinkered British Tories and the DUP have tried to pretend that this is not an option. However, there are at least 30 territories all over the world from North & South America, to the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans that have special arrangements with the EU. And, of course there are special provisions for European entities such as Cyprus, Greenland, Gibralter, Liechtenstein, Mount Athos, Heligoland and the Canary, Faroe & Channel Islands.

In the crude British “first past the post” system it is essential to overcome traditional tribalisms and vote for the candidate most likely to defeat the undemocratic imposition of a Conservative/UKIP/DUP hard right-wing Brexit where vital public services like health and education will be severely cut as a consequence of a tax-dodging race to the bottom.

The last election here showed how progressive people coming out to vote tactically put (some!) humility of the likes of Arlene Foster – well, at least to the extent of her shifting from “crocodiles” to “Go raibh maith agat”!

Is mise,

Dr Sean Marlow,

90 Willow Pk Rd