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A short thread. Many seem to be arguing that MPs were clear in what the UK wants from the EU, and the EU is now playing games. This argument is grossly misplaced, and somewhat detached from reality
The UK government made a commitment in Dec. 2017 to keep the border in Ireland open no matter what happens. The backstop negotiated by the UK and the EU is currently the only solution that upholds that in full, and solves this incredibly complicated & sensitive issue 
Ideas like keeping the border open for whatever random number of years makes David Davis happy or until Boris Johnson figures it convenient for him to press the “freedom clause” button, don’t uphold the commitment the British government, Johnson & Davis included, signed up to
So when the EU & 27 say they await concrete solutions, they mean alternatives that do what the backstop does – uphold the commitment made by the UK to keep the border in Ireland open no matter what happens. This is not a gourmet cheese sandwich however many times you say it
Anyone arguing for ideas that don’t actually do this, are, in effect, wanting the UK to renege on its commitments. This is what makes UK prime minister May’s decision to back such ideas all the more puzzling - and, paradoxically, makes the need for a backstop even clearer.
