On this last day of the 2018 political calendar - probably - just wanted to share one new Brexit thought - I'm not convinced the backstop as defined is actually capable of being implemented - certainly by 2020
Just in terms of the page count - the core of the backstop is defined in 30 pages. With 70+ pages then simply listing EU rules that are to apply. Each of which will take time to understand how it is to be implemented.
In terms of principle, the backstop essentially places Northern Ireland in two separate single markets, which could be advantageous or a nightmare, and could certainly give rise to plenty of questions as to how GB based firms could take advantage, and preventing that
Legally, that under the backstop Northern Ireland will be required to follow many EU laws without having any kind of say in them.
In terms of tax arrangements, which I don't pretend to be an expert in, I have a feeling this two line mention might turn out to be rather tricky to implement. 
And... at the same time as negotiating how the backstop actually works the UK and EU are supposed to also be negotiating the future economic partnership. I'm not saying it can't all be fully agreed by 2020, but I would be amazed if it was - even by end 2022
So, in the weird looking glass world of Brexit one of the main determinants of the Parliamentary vote will be a section of the agreement that has not been properly defined and potentially cannot be implemented. Worth discussing perhaps... /end
PS Brexit Probability Tracker later. We all need a little Brexit breather
