Thread by @Staedtler

Shall we go through some of the protocols of the withdrawal agreement?
Shall we?
The European Union has produced a handy explainer covering all the main topics
ec.europa.eu/commission/sit…

A lot of it is admin stuff which I'm not interested in because I'm shallow and insensitive.
But it starts getting good on page 30

The transition phase will include all current and any new EU laws and obligations, minus voting rights

Okay, so that's a little bit bad. But wait till you see how bad it gets on page 42.

Both sides will use their best endeavours to complete a new trade agreement before the end of the transition phase, but there is no obligation on the European Union to provide it.

If no trade agreement can be completed during the transition, then the transition may be extended, once only.
Otherwise, if there is no trade agreement or extension by January 2021 the backstop will come into force.

So what does the famous backstop say in this final version?

Backstop provisions:

1. UK will align with the customs territory of the EU, but have no say in it.

2. EU will consult with the UK should it wish, but will not defer to it

3. Northern Ireland to remain aligned with the EU and within its legal orbit

4. There will be customs checks on goods moving between Britain and Northern Ireland

5. There will be no unilateral escape mechanism for the UK once the backstop provisions have come into force

So effectively that signs Northern Ireland up to remain in the European Union even after Britain has left, with a border in the Irish Sea that will come into force if Britain wants to leave the customs area.

Ha!

I warned the DUP where the border was going to end up.

Britain stays in the European Union but with no rights or influence in it.
We have no unilateral right to secede from it.
And a new legal border in place, if not in force, between Britain and Northern Ireland.

Well done, everyone