Posted: Oct 11, 2019 8:26 pm
Johnson's major U-turn sets up 48 hours to clinch Brexit deal
EU gives go-ahead to weekend meetings after PM appears to backtrack on customs stance
Boris Johnson has signalled that he will make a last-ditch U-turn on his plans for the Irish border, setting up 48 hours of intense negotiations that will make or break a Brexit deal.
On a day of rapid movement in talks, EU sources said the prime minister had conceded that there could not be a customs border on the island of Ireland – a critical step away from his previous position.
That came after European ambassadors prompted tentative hope of a deal by giving the green light for what some diplomats described as a “tunnel” discussion in which a small team of negotiators meet for intensive talks to find a break-through moment. The Democratic Unionist party and European Research Group (ERG), a group of rightwing Conservatives, later issued statements promising flexibility, keeping hope alive that Johnson could find support for a new offer in the House of Commons.
What's every one betting on?
A) Border controls down the Irish sea so NI stays in customs union
B) Whole of UK stays in customs union
C) A combination of A and B so NI is completely in customs union and rest of UK is closely but not completely aligned to minimise border controls down the Irish sea
D) Johnson is just dragging it out further but will revert to blaming the EU and pushing for No Deal by the end of the weekend