This is definitely their strategy. The EU offer just received really should undercut them because it goes so much further than anyone could realistically have expected them to. From a negotiating point of view that's potentially difficult for the EU because they really don't have much more to give before it becomes impossible (for starters beginning to **** off other parties who have existing EU trade deals which this is much more generous than).

The Johnson government however needs to continue to bogeyman the EU for political purposes so there is a growing expectation that these negotiations will fail and the UK will trigger Article 16. Regardless of the vast damage that could do to our economy it will escalate and prolong the Brexit war, purely for Johnson's political interests. There's also the obvious argument that allowing NI to continue to remain in the single market will expose the folly of Brexit as they don't experience the shortages or relative economic decline that the UK mainland suffers.

A very well considered post - the problem the Tories have is that haven't invested as they should and at the risk of moving even further left they can hardly bite the hand that feeds. There also appears to a rift in the party between the free marketers e.g. Sunak and the interventionalists e.g. Boris.

The EU have given a lot the only thing left is the jurisdiction of the EC?

To the businesses affected by the restrictions what the EU have offered will be more than acceptable especially when NI voted to stay in the EU. I doubt many even care about the ECJ and that is the corner Boris and Frost have painted themselves into. They have already stated that the new EU offer is not acceptable so they now face being shown to be the ones who caused the protocol to collapse not the EU. This will also enable the EU to impose whatever sanctions on us because it was not them who were being unreasonable.
I look forward to seeing how Boris & Co. get onto of this mess of their own making because they believed they could outflank the EU. The Daily Mail was even lauding the offer from the EU as a success for the U.K. and Frost negotiation skills, I wonder what they think now.

Before coming up with slogans and red busses (or both), Bojo & Co should really have worked out just how any type of Brexit could work but, they went for "let's get something signed and we can worry about the detail later" and surprise, surprise, we're in a bit of a mess (understatement).
I suppose the Brexit chickens would eventually come home to roost.

At least we're all much better off than we were

Do you mean the ECJ? If so that's an impossibility. The court is the ultimate legal regulator/arbitor of disputes in the Single Market. If Northern Ireland is to remain in the Single Market it has to follow those rules.

The court protects the integrity of the market and the UK has historically done quite well out of its decisions. Johnson and Frost know what they are requesting is an impossibility and are trying to create yet another EU bogeyman. People in NI certainly don't care so if they were interested in outcomes rather than politics they wouldn't be playing this game.

If it's all about face saving for the UK government I wonder if some sort of solution could be to install Northern Ireland into EFTA which has its own court. Of course that simply follows ECJ rulings and case law so it would be utterly the same but it would probably give the UK government a fig leaf. I don't know if there are other implications, political, legal or economic, by NI following this course though, or if it's compatible with the special NI customs status. Or if the EFTA members would welcome NI with all its complications and baggage. But it might be an option. As ever I'm simply not sure the UK are negotiating in good faith as they appear to want conflict rather than solutions.

I agree - if we all play by the rules then the court shouldn't be necessary. Johnson has done this country a disservice by his appalling behaviour. How could anyone negotiate in good faith with us? We are not the size of China who are so big they can do as they please.

I'm surprised a think tank hasn't been assembled on here, all our problems could be solved almost immediately., Boris and all those pesky little rascals they call a government should be locked in the tower of London till they learn some sense.

I know it doesn't appeal to you but the world is a complicated place and just stamping your feet and demanding change doesn't often work. It appears to be the Johnsonian approach as well, which is probably why he's proving so ineffectual as Prime Minister.

We can live in hope

I think most of our contributors would do better in a think tank than Johnson and the rascals do in government… or would do on the Sin Bin, tbh.

And the big difference is that Johnson and his clown government are paid to get things right.
There is one absolute certainty, I'm significantly better at my day job than than Bojo & Co and I dont tell lies to my customers or try to mislead them on a daily basis.

Why are you trying to make this all about you?, having said that you do try and mislead people on here along with a couple of your mates with guff written in the Daily Blah, so maybe you and Boris have a few things in common and aren't that far apart in your thinking

, what's your take on tree planting and wind turbines btw.

I wouldn't disagree with you there squire

but in fairness to Boris and Co the debate would be so one sided I doubt Boris and the gang would get much of a chance to impart any serious input on the proceedings as I'm sure certain delegates representing the Sin Bin Party would overwhelmingly impede any efforts to bring about a logical and sensible solution with they're constant heckling.

Chissitt says people on here should be in a thinktank.
A person on here agrees.
Chissitt says, "WHY ARE YOU MAKING THIS ALL ABOUT YOU???"

Is the stupid emoji an admission on your part that your drunk? in case your still inebriated let me explain that it was a reference to the pot ole lad comparing his morals with that of the leader of the country, hth.
If you need further educating as challenging as it might be, I'm always here to help.

Quote ="chissitt"Why are you trying to make this all about you?, having said that you do try and mislead people on here along with a couple of your mates with guff written in the Daily Blah, so maybe you and Boris have a few things in common and aren't that far apart in your thinking , what's your take on tree planting and wind turbines btw.'" Oh dear, is this the best you have. We have a PM who has ;lost the plot and your worried about my OPINION. Maybe try and work out what may be around the corner because there's a whole load of crap coming our way. Bojo is too busy propagating arguments with the EU, over a deal that HE agreed and meanwhile we're all in for a very, very rough few years. As for misleading people, I prefer to call it helping. Wind turbines are a good thing and we need to generate more energy from renewables. As for tree planting, how do you think Bojo is going with his election pledge ? https://proarbmagazine.com/boris-johnso ... ach%20year.

Quote ="chissitt"Why are you trying to make this all about you?, having said that you do try and mislead people on here along with a couple of your mates with guff written in the Daily Blah, so maybe you and Boris have a few things in common and aren't that far apart in your thinking , what's your take on tree planting and wind turbines btw.'" Oh dear, is this the best you have. We have a PM who has ;lost the plot and your worried about my OPINION. Maybe try and work out what may be around the corner because there's a whole load of crap coming our way. Bojo is too busy propagating arguments with the EU, over a deal that HE agreed and meanwhile we're all in for a very, very rough few years. As for misleading people, I prefer to call it helping. Wind turbines are a good thing and we need to generate more energy from renewables. As for tree planting, how do you think Bojo is going with his election pledge ? https://proarbmagazine.com/boris-johnso ... ach%20year.

I didn't know it was a competition squire, and I think your confusing me with somebody what gives a toss if you think I'm worried about your opinion

vanity must be a strong trait of yours it seems.
You can call it what you want, to me it's simply bull$hitting.

And yet, despite not being bothered, you love to chip in.
You love to chip in but never contribute an actual opinion.

I see what you did there squire, I've never said I wasn't bothered what I said was I wasn't worried about your opinion, huge difference there old boy, of course I'm bothered about what's happening I'm just not obsessed about it like you are, it is what it is and you can bad mouth Boris and his cronies all day long but it won't alter things, your pushing against an open door on here regarding this government yet despite that your constantly regurgitating the same old boring stuff time after time, you really need to get a life.

As for contributing an opinion I agree with a lot of what's said so there is little point in massaging your ego with agreeing with you all the time, And as for chipping in that only applies when I think you've gone too far with your constant condemnation which isn't really called for.

Summary: man (I assume) posting on internet forum is furious that other people are posting on internet forum.

So what you are saying is that Boris and the government should be allowed to carry on regardless, they should be able to lie and do what they like without any dissenting voices. That sounds pretty much like a dictatorship. If you are happy to let that be the situation then why do you continue to post or is it you just like to be different. You have said you do not vote so really you have lost any right to criticise others who did because they at least have earned this privilege by doing so whoever they actually voted for.
I imagine you regularly regale those who will listen regarding your perceived failures of Barnsley council without actually voting to change things yourself.

Well I've had wink and then blink on, now I've got nod on me back as well, what you blathering on about now nod, I'm not saying anything squire it's you trying to put words in my mouth, because I don't vote doesn't lose me any rights at all, to be perfectly honest coming off a council estate on Eastmoor just like you, I'd never dream of voting for the Tories and unfortunately I'd be embarrassed to vote for loony Labour, I might as well vote for the sin bin party at least you make me laugh and fwiw I don't recall criticising anybody for voting perhaps you could show where I've said it, You just can't help yourself living in the land of make believe, please show me where I have voiced any dissent towards Barnsley Council other than my neighbour the lady mayoress who only speaks when she wants a vote, I'm quite happy thank you with the way Barnsley Council run despite your protestations to the contrary, anything new you want to know about and I'll be quite happy to educate you.

And... breathe.

It’s ok Boris is on the case, he will sort the protocol, didn’t say how but it was nothing too difficult apparently. I guess then he will sort the rising Covid numbers, then the supply problems, then the food shortages, then the reclassification of poverty, then the world from greenhouse gases whilst still opening a new oil field and coal mine and finally putting China and Russia in their places despite them holding large parts of U.K. industry and the London housing stock plus giving money to his party.
A bit long winded and I know I have missed several other crises that are here or fast approaching which I am sure he will deal with in his usual manner.

You've certainly got more faith in good old Boris than we have