Nobody in Ireland (or at least v.v. few) want the violence to return, or even to use the threat of violence as a bargaining chip in the Brexit negotiations. But it wasn't Irish people who put the border back on the agenda by their wanton disregard of the effect of Brexit on Ireland and the flippant reference to "new technology" as a means to solve all problems.

The DUP knew well enough the potential of Brexit to restart the culture and sectarian wars in N. Ireland, but carried on regardless even after Brexit had been decisively defeated in the referendum in N. Ireland. Theresa May either didn't know or didn't care what the effect of aligning herself with the DUP would have on the politics of the island, and consequently on her negotiations with the EU.

If the outcome is a "no deal" Brexit all these chickens will come home to roost. Ongoing conflict between the UK and EU, a possible trade war, economic decline in the UK, political instability in N. Ireland, and perhaps a return to violence. Who put these idiots in charge?

Is It Derry or Londonderry?

Index of Frank's Diaries