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Analysis

Vague solutions to border deadlock offered at N Ireland hustings

Sky News' David Blevins says fans of detail were left disappointed by the vague solutions offered by the would-be prime ministers.

David Blevins

US correspondent

Wednesday 3 July 2019 09:32, UK

Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt spoke at a hustings event in Bournemouth
Image: Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt are the two would-be prime ministers
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The iron throne and a lightsabre.

They did not expect either at the Tory leadership hustings in Northern Ireland.

Asked which Game Of Thrones character he most identified with, Jeremy Hunt appeared reluctant to answer at first.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 09: A general view of 10 Downing Street on June 9, 2017 in London, England. After a snap election was called by Prime Minister Theresa May the United Kingdom went to the polls yesterday. The closely fought election has failed to return a clear overall majority winner and a hung parliament has been declared. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
Image: Mr Johnson said he would call for a 'standstill' under no-deal

"Well I'm not going to say something cliched like Jon Snow," he replied.

He went on to recount a tale about actor Kit Harrington being stopped for speeding in Belfast.

The police officer reportedly offered him the choice between a ticket and revealing if he came back to life in the next episode.

Accused of attempting to avoid the question, Mr Hunt eventually conceded: "Oh go on then, Jon Snow."

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Boris Johnson dodged the Game Of Thrones question by switching the focus to a galaxy far, far away.

He said: "I tell you what, I identify very much with the guy with the lightsabre - the Jedi Knights.

"We invented the lightsabre in Uxbridge, it is wielded in Northern Ireland, the resulting film is shown around the world... or something like that."

A defaced 'Welcome to Northern Ireland' sign on the Irish border can be seen on October 9, 2018 in Londonderry, Northern Ireland

The bizarre exchanges about fictional characters seemed apt in the middle of a conversation about fictional easy solutions to the border deadlock.

Mr Johnson again argued that the issue could be resolved as part of a wider trade deal after the UK leaves the EU on 31 October.

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Pressed by Sky News on how he could do that when there would be no implementation period in a no-deal scenario, he simply said he would not impose checks but call for "a standstill".

EU flag outside Westminster
Image: The UK is due to leave the EU on 31 October

Mr Hunt told the audience there was never going to be a deal to leave the EU with the backstop so "it has to change or has to go".

He added: "But both sides agree that if technology can do this, it's the way forward.

"I believe it is and I don't actually believe it needs new technology. I believe we can do it with the technology we have."

Theresa May Campaigns In Lancashire And The West Midlands WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND - MAY 30: The Conservative party logo is seen on the Conservative election battle bus as it waits in a motorway services car park, ahead of a visit to Simon Jersey, a business uniform supplier by British Prime Minister, Theresa May in the Constituency of Hyndburn on May 30, 2017 in Accrington, England. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 to elect a new parliament in a general election. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Imag
Image: Mr Hunt said the backstop had to change or go

Mr Hunt believes there is a technological solution but the EU does not.

Mr Johnson believes the border can be resolved later but the EU does not.

And time is running out. Winter might not be coming yet, but autumn is.

Television and movie fans might have been impressed but fans of detail were left disappointed by the vague solutions offered by both would-be prime ministers.

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