Theresa May promised cabinet she would seek the “unilateral ability to withdraw” from any backstop and guaranteed the UK would not be kept in “against our will”, according to two cabinet ministers who fear she is about to renege on that pledge: buzzfeed.com/alexwickham/mi…
May also told cabinet that the NI-only backstop "would not be needed"... ministers fear that language leaves it open for the NI-only backstop to remain in what they are calling a “Russian doll backstop” buzzfeed.com/alexwickham/mi…
Draft text of the Future Economic Partnership doing the rounds, leaving open the possibility of a Canada-style FTA. Colleagues suspect this will allow Dom Raab to climb down on his public statements on the backstop and claim victory... buzzfeed.com/alexwickham/mi…
Ministers say No10's private thinking, contrary to their public position, is that the backstop will inevitably come into effect as the future relationship won't be ready by the end of the transition. Which means UK in an indefinite customs union... buzzfeed.com/alexwickham/mi…
Labour looking at how to force the government to publish Geoffrey Cox's legal advice via humble address. They have an opposition day on 14 Nov. Senior Lab source: "It is vital that Parliament has all the information it needs to make an informed decision.” buzzfeed.com/alexwickham/mi…
