What did Teresa May, the former British Prime Minister, and now an ordinary deputy of the lower house of parliament, break her strong teeth?

In negotiations with Brussels regarding a deal to leave Britain from the EU, European bureaucrats used Ireland as a joker. As you know, the northern part of this island is part of the United Kingdom, the second part is the Republic of Ireland.

Until the beginning of the 19th century, the slave trade flourished here. Until the 1970s, there was a permanent civil war in Ulster. Today, Ireland is a member of the European Union and is part of the euro area. With the participation of Ireland in the EU, centuries-old contradictions and claims have been dulled. Many issues moved to the decision level in Brussels. Of course, this annoyed London, but they were forced to agree and eventually got used to it.

In the context of Britain’s exit from the EU, the question arises of establishing a real border on the island between the British part of Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Regarding the tight border, a negative attitude is not only in Dublin, but also in Brussels.

European bureaucrats have come up with a form, the so-called back-stop, which, according to European Commission President Donald Tusk, "is insurance to avoid the appearance of a tight border on the island of Ireland." In fact, this is not insurance, but a mine under Brexit, the detonator of which is in the hands of Brussels officials.

This is the condition under which the regime of stay of Northern Ireland as part of the EU Customs Union and the single European market after the transition period of Brexit is introduced. That is, let for a while, albeit only economically, but Ireland is becoming united. What the Irish dream about 100 (!) Years. And Britain is partially losing sovereignty over Northern Ireland, as if transferring its rights to Brussels. Such a deal. Exit from the EU in exchange for territory ?!

Of course, such an approach could not be approved by the British Parliament under any circumstances. And what Theresa May hoped for here, promising her friends in Berlin and Brussels that she would squeeze an intractable parliament, is a mystery.

Here even a loud Russophobian scandal with the poisoning of the Skripals and their cat by “evil Russian spies” in Salisbury did not help.

The British are not inclined to ever give anything back. The pirate maxim "take everything - don’t give anything" is absorbed by every Briton with mother’s milk.

Yesterday, the opinion of the majority of the British in this regard was expressed by the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson. “We believe that now there is a good opportunity for everyone to refuse this backstop, and then during the negotiations on the free trade agreement, which we are going to start after October 31 (after leaving the EU. - A. M. ), we will offer all options thanks to which we will be able to carry out unhindered trade on the Northern Irish border, ”the head of government said.

In an official letter to the European Commission, such an approach by Brussels regarding the soft annexation of Northern Ireland during the transitional period of Britain’s exit from the EU is called "anti-democratic and not consistent with the sovereignty of the United Kingdom as a state."

Strictly speaking, this very Irish question is becoming the cornerstone of the process of Britain's exit from the EU. London is ready to discuss a deal with Brussels only without the so-called backstop of Northern Ireland. And Brussels puts this issue at the forefront, understanding all the nuances and consequences for British domestic politics. And obviously, someone hopes with such unpretentious blackmail to keep Britain in the EU and force them to abandon Brexit in general.

Such a terrarium yesterday yesterday of like-minded European solidarity.

“We are ready for any development of events. Although the lack of agreement is not the scenario we would prefer. We have carried out a large-scale series of preparatory measures in order to protect 27 EU members and our interests should this happen, ”the European Commission said.

Comfortable European times end, as usual, with a big scandal.

The author’s point of view may not coincide with the position of the publisher.