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EU politicians welcome the serious tone used by PM in Dublin today when spoke of importance of making deal with EU, avoiding no deal #Brexit BUT EU contacts tell me they await a change in actions not just rhetoric /1
The PMs main #Brexit envoy, David Frost, expected back in Brussels on Weds. So far EU says he’s been discussing reducing backstop commitments rather than proposing st that could realistically replace the backstop /2
Government floated idea of all-Ireland agricultural area but EU don’t consider this a serious proposal bc only covers 30% of cross-border trade. EU will see on Weds if PM’s negotiator brings additional ideas. If not EU diplomats say it’ll be clear PM not seriously negotiating /3
“Hope” too strong a word says EU diplomat BUT EU waits to see if PMs openness to all-Ireland agricultural zone means he could be open to EU original idea of NI only backstop, covering all trade, cross border co-op etc BUT would this be before or after elex in UK, wonders EU? /4
NI-only backstop seems to EU to be only way forward to please both sides: replace current UK-wide backstop, perceived by some to keep UK a “prisoner in EU Customs Union” post Brexit yet also keep the Irish border open whilst protecting Eu’s single market BUT /5
EU more than aware the PM needs the numbers in Parliament for it. What of DUP? ERG? Bizarre situation where EU politicians becoming so well-versed in minutiae of UK politics, discussing with me which Labour MPs might vote in favour of a Brexit deal .. /6
