No deal so far, “not at all” though some progress. No further negotiations until EU summit now.
“A number of unresolved issues relating to the backstop” says No10 & Dexeu - confirming that if there is progress will be at Summit now at Leader level 
... so it isn’t just the timing issue.
There is the issue of the EU side tabling a default backstop or “backstop to the backstop” which is the same as the “unacceptable to any UK PM” draft the EU published in February - making NI part of EU customs territory etc
There is the issue of the EU side tabling a default backstop or “backstop to the backstop” which is the same as the “unacceptable to any UK PM” draft the EU published in February - making NI part of EU customs territory etc
This would kick in if the actual negotiated backstop (upon which there has been some progress and mutual give and take) stopped functioning for some reason
On timing though - still understand we are heading for a temporary wording, but probably limited by an exit process rather than a specific date
NB my take is that the two issues are connected - you’d only need a backstop to the backstop if the first one is given a mutually non-agreed expiry date at insistence of say UK Cabinet. Without a firm date, surely you don’t need the backstop to the backstop.
While distracted by timing - significantly, perhaps much more so - mutual movement on the actual backstop.
EU moving on UK wide applicability of the June “Temporary Customs Arrangement”.
UK acknowledging it is not just Customs that causes hard borders, moves on regulation
EU moving on UK wide applicability of the June “Temporary Customs Arrangement”.
UK acknowledging it is not just Customs that causes hard borders, moves on regulation
