There might not be time, but it at least now appears that a UK-EU deal on Brexit is conceivable.
The Prime Minister and Taoiseach met today to try to break the deadlock over the Northern Irish backstop.
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The Prime Minister’s tour of the United Kingdom sees him square off against nationalists from Sinn Fein, the SNP… and Welsh Labour.
“No infrastructure on the border, because I believe passionately in that. It is necessary for our Union.”
If you are sceptical, I understand. I was too. But this is the only viable way forward.
Also: Dublin urged to ‘come clean’ over support for IRA during the Troubles; Welsh tax powers come into force; and Salmond inquiry tells Sturgeon not to destroy evidence.
If she insists on a functioning Assembly before a no-deal Brexit, why on earth would Sinn Fein oblige her?
The divisions and impatience exposed could well be real, but it doesn’t follow that Brussels is about to suddenly shift its policy.
The Attorney General is asking difficult legal questions about it which Dublin, Brussels, and even many in London would rather draw a veil over.
“There was no mention whatsoever of any infrastructure, any hard border” in Dublin’s preparations for a WTO Brexit.
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The topic is being discussed – including at Cabinet – but that in itself is not convincing evidence that such a major change is imminent.
The Taoiseach was speaking ahead of today’s talks with Theresa May and Northern Irish political leaders.
But the Commons has dug in against the Withdrawal Agreement. These immovable obstacles seemingly point in only one direction: a general election.