This is the problem - brexit meant something different to everyone who voted for it ... and the reality was never going to match up because we have binding agreements like the GFA which meant Northern Ireland was always going to have to be treated differently than mainland UK.
Well, only if you think the IRA/Sinn Fein should set UK foreign policy. We could have implemented an (EU-requested) north/south border in Ireland. Or not implemented one at all.
The signatories to the GFA include the US as well - if you want to rip up the GFA to install a hard border you have to own the second order effects of that.
Or decide that Brexit was never going to work the way those who peddled it said it would.
