So, as we say nowadays, here's some connected thought about what May should be proposing before the #EUCO dinner today. (1) The UK agrees to stop trying to split the Withdrawal Agreement from the Political Declaration, recognising that both stand or fall together, and that ...
(2) the Irish problem cannot be resolved without an agreement on a PD that paints a clear picture of where we're all going to end up in our future Association Agreement; (3) the UK thanks @MichelBarnier for the helpful suggestion that the transition period is extendable; but ...
(4) the UK government must acquire the right (for political and constitutional reasons which her EU partners will understand) to trigger such an extension of the transition period (which we can call an 'implementation' period); and ...
(5) the Commission will have to give its positive recommendation on such a British request (including budget issues); the European Parliament needs its right of consent; and the Council should only then be able to reject the proposal by QMV. Such a joint decision procedure ...
ensures that (6) there will be broad consensus on keeping the transitional arrangements and the Irish backstop in play until such time as both are no longer needed - which is when the AA will be fully ratified and entered into force. Bon app !
