Thread by @weemattg

Raab and many others use backstop and the solution to the backstop interchangeably.
He says "there will be a backstop of some sort be it technology or..."

I, a layman, offer this explainer.

Experts please put me right if it is wrong or misleading. 1/9

The backstop is a condition in the WA that ensures legitimate conduct of trade across the IRL/NI border without physical border infrastructure.
Currently conformance is met because both sides of the border use and meet the same standards by being in the CU and SM. 2/9

In a Brexit situation if the UK is not in the CU and observing EU regulations, conformance cannot be met without a physical border infrastructure. Hence the *WA solution* of a CU and regulatory alignment is used to enable conformance without physical border infrastructure.
3/9

The backstop is a binding agreement that ensures this *WA solution* continues until and unless an agreed *alternative solution* is introduced that meets the requirements of no physical border infrastructure. 4/9

If an *alternative solution* can be conceived and agreed then the *WA solution* could be replaced and the backstop satisfied. The backstop would not been removed or replaced. An *alterative solution* not requiring a physical border infrastructure would be in place. 5/9

So the backstop is a requirement to maintain a border that is free of physical infrastructure. Our membership of the EU satisfies that requirement. The agreed transition/implementation period maintains conformance.
6/9

So the backstop is not the problem.
The lack of an agreed *alternative solution* is the problem and is not a problem until the end of the implementation period. 7/9

At this point the UK aspires to be in a new political and trading arrangement. The lack of a demonstrable *alternative solution" would prevent this new trading arrangement in NI until and unless an *alternative solution* is in place. 8/9

A number of *alternative solutions* have been proposed and considered during Brexit negotiations but have not been accepted as meeting the no physical border infrastructure requirement. The backstop conditionality remains in the current WA. 9/9
+ Appendix

Appendix
BACKSTOP
IF agreed *alternative solution* does not need physical border infrastructure
AND
Implementation period ended
THEN
*Alternative solution* operates
ELSE
*WA solution* continues