Could the Irish border question be solved with a giant hedge?

It may seem crazy, but it’s been done before…

The border in Ireland has been one of the most difficult issues of the whole Brexit debate. Politicians from both the Republic and Northern Ireland do not want a border and yet Brexit will mean borders. The EU has said that this issue must be resolved before the UK leaves the Union, but there are scant ideas on how this would work without reopening the old wounds in this part of the world.

Even Jacob Rees Mogg (the third favourite in our market to replace Theresa May in №10) managed a visit to the border recently.

A new proposal is expected next month according to the Independent, but given the current impasse, could this paradoxical situation be solved with a giant hedge?

Absurd? Maybe. Impossible? No.

Will the UK leave the EU by March 29, 2019? Bet here.

The Northern Irish/Irish border is only 310 miles long. The British state has managed this kind of problem before…

The Great Salt Hedge of India, was a row of 411.5 miles of live hedge with a further 1,109.5 miles of dry hedge or stone wall running over 2,500 miles across India. The line was initially made of dead, thorny material and eventually evolved into a living hedge that grew up to 12 feet high.

The purpose of the line was to support the increase in the salt tax on Indians by stopping the flow of illegally obtained (i.e. taken from the sea) salt and also supporting the UK salt industry sell their salt to India. Stopping Indians making and consuming their own salt freely and buy English seems like an impossible dream, but it was generally successful.

It has the advantage of being self-maintaining and is not strictly a border, so it scores well for practicality. Also, as a nation of gardeners this is the sort of arboreal solution that appeals to our national character and has the added benefit of being a solution that has actually worked before.

The good news is that this would boost the green credentials of the UK Government (badly needed since its recent vote on Heathrow). On the flip-side, it would be a thorny issue amongst the farmers trying to get their sheep to graze (or be processed) on the other side.

With the EU 27 complaining about the lack of progress in Brexit talks and Juncker demanding more progress on the Irish border question, a trip to the past may help smooth out the problems of today. As without a solution the Brexit deadline of leaving the EU by March 29, 2019 market seems like it can only go one way.

Whether you choose to bet for or hedge against this market, it is one to watch.