Priti Patel suggests using possible 'no-deal' food shortages in Ireland to drop the backstop

[T_i_B]

I know Priti Patel is an abysmal politician, but suggesting a rerun of the Irish famines of the 1840's as a way to gain leverage in Britain's negotiations to leave the EU is a new low even for her.

https://www.thejournal.ie/brexit-threat-food-shortages-ireland-4381228-Dec2018/?utm_source=shortlink

AS UK PRIME Minister Theresa May has just five days to try to rally support for her Brexit deal, a Tory MP has suggested using the possibility of food shortages to Ireland in the event of a no-deal Brexit to encourage the EU to drop the backstop.

A government report, leaked to the Times of London, has indicated that there could be food shortages in Ireland in a no-deal Brexit scenario, and the economic impact on Ireland would be worse than in the UK. This is based on the large number of food exports from the UK to Ireland (more than half of the total food imported to Ireland comes from the UK). In the event of a no-deal, trade rules would revert to those used by the World Trade Organisation (WTO), but the UK would have to apply to become a member of the WTO to implement them.

Tory MP Priti Patel has told the paper that these warnings should have been used as leverage against Ireland to encourage them to drop the backstop. “This paper appears to show the government were well aware Ireland will face significant issues in a no-deal scenario. Why hasn’t this point been pressed home during negotiations? There is still time to go back to Brussels and get a better deal.”

Patel resigned as International Development Secretary last November after holding 12 meetings with Israeli groups and officials outside the proper protocol.

[Sherman A1]

1. There are no words for this type of person or behavior

[shenmue]

2. Jonathan Swift had an answer

[bottomofthehill]

4. A modest proposal it was...

[VMA131Marine]

3. Doesn't she realise ....

Ireland has frictionless trade with the rest of the EU. Meanwhile, the UK gets much of it's food from mainland Europe .... ... do you see where I'm going with this?

[Denzil_DC]

5. Well, yes, I do.

The North also has an inevitably physically porous border with the Irish Republic no matter what regulations are in place, short of installing armed guards in every field and back road and beach (and certain living rooms and pubs, if my memory serves me well).

So even if it was a sensible proposal, which is obviously isn't, it's a non-starter.

[T_i_B]

7. Much of Irish trade with the EU currently goes through the UK.

Although it will be far far easier for Ireland to adapt and find alternative trade routes than it will be for Britain.

The fact that Ireland will be in a trading block with 26 staunch allies will also put Ireland at a strong advantage over the UK. Britain will be isolated and alone on the world stage and Ireland will not.

Priti Patel's ideas on the subject are incredibly arrogant and delusional. But she's never been a good politician.

[LeftishBrit]

6. What an exceptionally horrible person