Was Tuesday's 'leaked' Merkel conversation which appeared to signal the end of the #brexit talks actually the moment that the penny droped with @BorisJohnson that EU would not accept customs border in Ireland?
My latest 1/
telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/…
My latest 1/
telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/…
@BorisJohnson It appears now that Johnson has accepted there can't be a customs border in Ireland...which is a huge step, if confirmed in weekend talks.
EU always clear a deal was there to be done if customs issue could be addressed; the door was always open. /2
EU always clear a deal was there to be done if customs issue could be addressed; the door was always open. /2
@BorisJohnson The question now is whether Johnson can 'pivot' through the door and emerge the other side with a deal that is saleable in London and Belfast.
No texts produced today and several clear notes of caution on EU side about speculation/3
No texts produced today and several clear notes of caution on EU side about speculation/3
@BorisJohnson Everyone is talking about a version of the 'dual tariff' scheme being reheated on an NI-only basis, because it is logical and fits, or appears to fit, what @BorisJohnson said today. /4
@BorisJohnson But EU sources are clear that until a text flows from the high-level discussion, no-one should make assumptions.
@MichelBarnier repeated again that EU red lines not pinked and solution must be "legally operable". That sets a high bar for inclusion in revise Withdrawal Ag. /5
@MichelBarnier repeated again that EU red lines not pinked and solution must be "legally operable". That sets a high bar for inclusion in revise Withdrawal Ag. /5
@BorisJohnson @MichelBarnier That means juncking the 'trust us' approach of this negotiation (recall that Aug 19 letter) which talk of vague "commitments" UK might make in event solution wasn't operable by end of transition in 2020. This solution will need to work/6
@BorisJohnson @MichelBarnier So the attitude I hear on the EU side is 'let's see' and 'go take a look' - and if UK can get to a place that addresses the real issues (no checks on island of Ireland) there is a deal to be done.
As there has been all along /7
As there has been all along /7
@BorisJohnson @MichelBarnier Many in EU were openly sceptical that Johnson would take the risk of trying the pivot and remain sceptical, as @MehreenKhn and @AlbertoNardelli report, that Boris can still land an actual deal in London.
Of course, as always in #Brexit, the devil will be in the detail. /8
Of course, as always in #Brexit, the devil will be in the detail. /8
@BorisJohnson @MichelBarnier @MehreenKhn @AlbertoNardelli The risk is perhaps in an expectation gap between the two sides...
We will see if it survives the weekend, but EU side do sense real desire on UK side to get it done, I'm told. And EU exhaustion/desire to end #Brexit may help drive also.
We'll see. Good weekend all. 9/ENDS
We will see if it survives the weekend, but EU side do sense real desire on UK side to get it done, I'm told. And EU exhaustion/desire to end #Brexit may help drive also.
We'll see. Good weekend all. 9/ENDS
