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1/ As we await yet another pronouncement on the backstop that will doubtless be immediately dismissed as insufficient by the usual suspects, worth quoting what a senior EU diplomat from a Member State pretty neutral on Brexit said to me the other day when I asked if it's a trap.
2/ Firstly, they questioned why on earth the EU would want to do that and how it's in the bloc's interests: ‘The backstop solves 5% of the issues between the EU and the UK. What about trade, defence, security, all services? Why would we be content with 5% and not strive for 100%?
3/ Then they pointed out how much of a failure the EU would consider getting stuck in it to be: 'If we don’t have a relationship by 2025 we’re in deeper trouble than just Northern Ireland anyway. We wouldn’t have an FTA with our biggest trading partner. This would be a disaster.'
4/ The UK-wide backstop is seen as a big compromise in Brussels & EU27 capitals: 'The Commission was against the UK-wide backstop. They said it gives all the advantages to the UK and leaves us with all the problems. It was a compromise for the Brits and now they want out of it.'
5/ Once again, all this highlights the astonishing disparity in terms of perceptions of the backstop in the EU compared to the UK. A noteworthy aspect of the negotiations, as @HenryNewman pointed out the other day, is how inept the UK has been at selling its own victories. ENDS.
