Nothing Theresa can do about backstop

THERESA May finds the EU’s backstop plan unacceptable. But does she not understand that the Government signed up to the Good Friday Agreement? Does she not understand that, through that agreement, Ireland gave up its historic claim to the territory of Northern Ireland, confirmed by referendum in the Republic? And that part of the horse-trading included Britain’s promise that if, or when, a border poll indicated the majority in Northern Ireland wanted to reunite with Ireland, then Britain wouldn’t stand in their way?

And now she stands in the way of the majority in Northern Ireland, who wished to remain in the EU.

The elephant in the room is that no one really wants Northern Ireland. Ireland can’t afford its engorged public sector costs. British taxpayers have no option but to feed the expensive fly in the political ointment and keep a stiff upper lip about it.

The funny thing is that the EU has understood the Good Friday Agreement better than Theresa May and most of her Tory party — not to mention the hard Brexiteers.

Reality will rule the day, because the reality is that the EU also doesn’t want Northern Ireland (unless it comes with Ireland) — an Ireland to which the EU remains wedded and loyal. Thus, the backstop.

Sorry, folks. It won’t go away.

ALISON HACKETT

Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin