There’s never been a better time to scrap the Northern Ireland Protocol

… but with our current Government, I expect climbdown or disaster.

Let's be clear: there has never been a better time to scrap the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The EU, facing the effects of their sanctions on Russia (and still to face Russian counter sanctions), can hardly afford a trade war with Britain. Meantime, the US will want to maintain its coalition for its Eastern European policies.

Furthermore, many in Eastern Europe are forging closer relations with Britain and do not care about the Protocol.

But, but, but... We would have to prepare, and prepare to stand tough. There would be reprisals, and they would be through channels that hurt.

Can we stand tough? Can we properly prepare to go to the trenches, to inflict pain on those who would seek to use pain to compel us? Do we have confidence in this Government to do that? I don't. I therefore expect climbdown or disaster.