1. As we head to Brussels, there is a draft deal on the table that does 2 things the PM was told couldn't be done - whole UK leaves the customs union, with some special arrangements for Northern Ireland, but there is an exit mechanism
2. There is a BUT of giant proportions - the DUP is not on board, they have a simple concern that the proposed way out of the non backstop-backstop (it needs a better name than special arrangements, ideas anyone? I heard 'safety net' a while ago) gives too much power to Sinn Fein
3. Their fear is that nationalist community could vote to keep NI tied more closely to EU against the Unionists wishes for years to come - some people will accuse them of wilful stubborness, but the concerns are genuine that it's not a deal they can sell to their voters at home
4. But what's on table is a possible solution to conundrum that's been locked for months - Qs this morn, is anything else that can be shifted to ease DUP fears, any chance they'll budge under political pressure, or would PM try to bounce them? seems unlikely in political circs
