Andrew Maxwell nails the reason why Northern Ireland was ignored during the Brexit referendum

Andrew Maxwell might genuinely have a future as the Irish Ambassador to the United Kingdom

Over the last few weeks and months, the comedian has consistently shown more clarity of thought around Brexit than even the most senior English politicians, going viral in the process. Maxwell was on RTÉ's Ray D'Arcy Show last night (10 November), and once again, his take on the British psyche and the Brexit mess we're in was eminently worth listening to. Much of the contention has centred around the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic — should Northern Ireland remain in the customs union? How long should the backstop last? Is there a way to keep the DUP onside while protecting the peace process? But funnily enough, none of that was discussed before the referendum was conducted in June 2016. Speaking to D'Arcy, Maxwell spoke about why that might be: "It's just not been mentioned. I live in England, I've lived there years and in the whole Brexit debate, the border just didn't come up. Or the impact of Brexit on the Northern Ireland peace process, just didn't come up." "There was other, more important things. Bendy bananas. 'Ugh, the EU with their bananas!' Now they're in the world of reality and they don't know what to do." "And they're casting around going 'Who's Irish? Who can we ask?' They're asking clowns! They didn't get the Irish ambassador on, they asked a clown," he said referring to himself. Maxwell also reserved a funny dig for D'Arcy at the end, saying "I mean, I agreed to do it. Ray, you see, I'll turn up anywhere." Put this man in charge of Brexit negotiations pronto.