The Prime Minister and Taoiseach met today to try to break the deadlock over the Northern Irish backstop.
Also: Democratic Unionists ‘under pressure’ over Brexit u-turn; and Gove backs Bowie’s criticism of SNP over no-deal preparations.
Open Europe’s new report offers a clear-eyed assessment of the practical and political hurdles the Prime Minister may face.
The vehement Johnson of last week transformed himself into a master of the soft word that turneth away wrath.
Like May before him, the Prime Minister risks inflicting deep structural damaged on the United Kingdom in order to escape tactical difficulties.
Had the Benn Act not been passed, it would be far stronger – as he presents his new “fair and reasonable compromise” to the EU.
And: Gigabit broadband will soon be “sprouting like vermicelli”, says Johnson. Plus: Mordaunt’s warnings and Hoey’s heroine’s welcome.
Also: Democratic Unionists attack Corbyn for backing IRA as it murdered judges; and growing concern of risk of loyalist violence against backstop.
The Government’s policy of reminding the electorate that it is keeping faith with the largest democratic exercise in our country’s political history is correct.
It would also be dishonest to claim that the thought of voting Liberal Democrat did not flicker momentarily as we’ve veered towards knuckle-head, pound-shop Orbanism.
In the end, it may well prefer to hold out for a general election – and the likelihood of a Brexit delay – in the hope that something better turns up.
Also: Poll suggests SNP have a mountain to climb on independence; Cameron admits he asked Queen to intervene in 2014; and more.
“Dignity, kindness, authority rather than bossiness, and I do believe that those things could be brought to the Chair by a woman.”
He adds that Johnson has reiterated that the United Kingdom will leave the EU on October 31st “avec ou sans accord”, despite Benn’s Act.
The last has failed to meet the objectives set out in both the original negotiating guidelines and in the Northen Ireland Protocol itself.