Thread by @pmdfoster

🧯🧯🧯 BRACE BRACE so reports via @bbclaurak that @BorisJohnson is going to

1) unilaterally offer to guarantee EU citizens rights

Buut what about steps 2 & 3 of his 'plan' - viz

2) suspend £39bn in 'creative ambiguity' over neg

3) sort out Ireland via trade talks? 1/thread

@bbclaurak @BorisJohnson That was the plan, as set out on the stump....I set it out here...point by point...what Johnson is saying...how the EU would react.

I'm now expecting some clarity on MORE than just point 1. /2

telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/…

@bbclaurak @BorisJohnson So here is point one - although as plenty have pointed out, no SO generous, since May already promised this. And no-one has ever talked about deportations. /3

@bbclaurak @BorisJohnson Point 2 - pay the money, or not. This is legally dubious, as Cox has himself pointed out internally as I reported here (but it plays at the #Brexit box office) /4

telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/…

@bbclaurak @BorisJohnson Point 3 - bin the backstop, negotiate as part of trade negotiations. (And, if that means a trade border in Ireland, dedramatised, so be it) /5

@bbclaurak @BorisJohnson Be critical to watch if it's full 'bin the backstop' or if there is wiggle room for something like a break clause/unilateral exit clause.

The EU and Dublin dead set against this - BUT not clear if that holds IF the alternative is 'no deal'. /6

@bbclaurak @BorisJohnson Which begs question of whether 'no deal' can really be forced through Parliament.

The talk of 'proroguing' on the stump rather belies Johnson fears that ultimately it cannot. /7

@bbclaurak @BorisJohnson In which case the logic points to a 'tell them again' General Election once parliament blocks [OR should that read 'saves Mr Johnson from'] a 'no deal?'

It is interesting that @michaelgove is in charge of 'no deal' planning, since he understands what a mess it would be. /8

@bbclaurak @BorisJohnson @michaelgove Will be intesting to see how negative/fast EU reaction is - will they play along? Will the come out and say 'no' very quickly.

I guess all to be revealed shortly..../9 ENDS