Thread by @Usherwood

Given that EU has already said it wants an all-weather backstop, this can only be a mechanism that operates on mutual consent

https://twitter.com/tnewtondunn/status/1059795312494215168

And even if EU were to give that consent upon entry into force of a new future relationship, hard to see how they would not insist on an automatic return into force of the backstop should that future relationship cease to apply

All of which would render the backstop just as effective as the current, all-weather proposal.

So a review mechanism would be only of use in getting CON MPs onside for ratification

With that in mind, drafting text wouldn't be much work: mechanism, plus some text about the firm intent on both sides to never have to use the backstop

The work more likely lies in trying to get Cabinet/MPs to buy the gambit

And here we go (from @GdnPolitics live blog: theguardian.com/politics/blog/…)