The logical place to have an economic border between the UK and the EU was always the Irish Republic/N.Ireland border. But, some UK and other politicians, citing their preferred connotations from the GFI, scuppered a soft "technical economic border" on Irish soil and we somehow ended up with a more disjointed border (somewhere) in the Irish Sea.
In a time where nothing appears to be "off the table" , perhaps HMG should consider a more radical method of settling the issue ? I`m alluding to a referendum ! Not an exclusive referendum on where the EU/UK border should be, instead, let them insert the Big Question. Should there be a united Ireland, governed from Dublin ?
That would set the political cat among the pigeons.
If the people, improbable as some might suggest, actually voted to unite Ireland then Dublin would inherit a mega headache and a massive demand on its security budget. If the people voted to continue the status quo, then according to how the referendum was worded, HMG could infer support to act in the best interest of N/Ireland and put the border where it should have gone in the first place. There would be no need or desire for a hard border. The UK would no doubt prefer a physically "open" border and the EU (and Rep of Ireland) could be invited to decide the technical nature of the new "landmark".
Is that Hard Politics ? Would Dublin (and the EU) risk that particular referendum against settling for a less (understatement !) volatile Brexit outcome ? Am I simply being mischievous ?
BTW, I wasn`t initially for Brexit, but since it happened, I accept that it`s a long term project and I now support it.