Thread by @pmdfoster

.@MichelBarnier crystal clear in piece for @Telegraph - EU will look at alternative arrangements “that achieve the same objectives of the backstop” - to wit - protecting EU single market while keeping border “fully open”. 1/

telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/…

Perhaps unsurprising therefore - given @BorisJohnson red lines on removing backstop, while dismissing time-limits, exit mechanisms or the “dedramatised” NI-only backstop the EU suggested, that Barnier is “not optimistic” about avoiding ‘no deal’. /2

There are a couple of pieces of mild mischief.

First his noting democratic support for NI for the supposedly “un democratic” backstop. /3

And second (ahead of talks this week to discuss a ‘deal’ which given current U.K. and EU red lines is nowhere in sight) that if @BorisJohnson is playing the “no deal” blame game, the good burghers of Britain should be smart enough not to fall for it 4/ENDS

PS...meanwhile @michaelgove tells @Telegraph readers that ”EU leaders” are now ready to talk about a different way forward. If so, the memo seems not to have reached the desk of @MichelBarnier which is odd, because in the #brexit process to date.../5

telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/…

Coz @MichelBarnier has been assiduous about alignment with and between capitals.

I can only remember one real example where he got it wrong, in Oct 2017, when suggested a dual track to “sufficient progress” and got rapped back hard by MS. Never since. /6

So which Michael is right, as MPs consider whether to seize control on Tuesday and legislate against a no deal?

Gove says they are “shifting” - give us more time

Barnier says they are not. The old parameters remain. /7

MPs will need to choose. But as they ponder they should consider two things:

1. In Brexit, the substance has always beaten spin. (Hence current deadlock)

2. When U.K. ministers or No10 (Cameron, May & Johnson) pronounce on EU intentions...they’re almost invariably wrong 8/ENDS