Boris’s blueprint
He reveals 40-page vision to break the deadlock – and DUP, hardliners (and even some Labour MPs) could now get behind it
HOPES for a last-minute Brexit deal were growing last night after the DUP, hardline Eurosceptics and even some Labour MPs joined Brussels in signalling they will consider Boris Johnson’s blueprint.
in a major development yesterday, the Prime Minister signed off a 40-page legal text setting out his plans for replacing the controversial irish backstop.
At lunchtime yesterday, No 10 had feared the EU might try to strangle the plan straight away, with officials even warning Mr Johnson was ready to walk away from talks if it did so.
it was also suggested he would boycott a crunch EU summit this month as there would be ‘no point’ in attending.
Last night the fate of the deal was still hanging in the balance, with Brussels yet to commit to entering the ‘tunnel’ – code for intensive, secret negotiations carried out when a deal is in sight.
But EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker welcomed the ‘positive advances’ and indicated Brussels would finally enter serious negotiations. Michel Barnier, the EU’s chief negotiator, also offered a glimmer of hope, saying there had been ‘progress’.
Meanwhile the DUP and hardline Eurosceptics, who helped bring down Theresa May’s deal, also made encouraging noises.
Arlene Foster said the plans, which could mean billions more for Northern ireland, were a ‘sensible and stable way forward’.
And steve Baker, chairman of the European research Group of Tory MPs, described the plans as ‘fair and reasonable’, while veteran Eurosceptic John redwood said he was ‘very pleased’ with Mr Johnson’s decision to abandon Mrs May’s plan to keep the UK closely aligned with the EU.
Labour MP stephen Kinnock last night said up to 30 of his colleagues could be persuaded to back the plans if Mr Johnson can strike a deal with Brussels. Fellow Labour MPs Gareth snell and ruth smeeth, who represent Leave-voting seats, also suggested they would back a deal.
Mr Kinnock said: ‘if Dublin and Brussels are happy, then we’re happy.’
Cross-party support is seen as critical to Mr Johnson’s chances of persuading the EU that Parliament is willing to pass a deal if Brussels offers concessions.
However, other key figures sounded warnings.
irish premier Leo Varadkar, who rang Mr Johnson last night, said the Prime Minister’s plan was ‘not promising’ and did not ‘form the basis for an agreement’.
And Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn indicated he would continue with his wrecking tactics, describing the plan as ‘worse than Theresa May’s deal’.
in his keynote speech to the Conservative Party conference in Manchester yesterday, Mr Johnson described his proposals as a ‘fair and reasonable compromise’ – warning the alternative was a No Deal Brexit this month.
‘Yes, this is a compromise by the UK,’ he said. ‘And i hope very much that our friends understand that and compromise in their turn. Because if we fail to get an agreement because of what is essentially a technical discussion of the exact nature of future customs checks… then let us be in no doubt that the alternative is No Deal.’
in a letter to Mr Juncker, Mr Johnson said he is anxious to get a deal, adding: ‘if we cannot reach one, it would represent a failure of statecraft for which we would all be responsible. our predecessors have tackled harder problems – we can surely solve this one.’
The warning came as Downing street confirmed Mr Johnson will suspend Parliament again next week to stick to his plan to hold a Queen’s speech on october 14.
He is now preparing to embark on a whirlwind tour of EU capitals to sell the deal to leaders, starting with a visit to Berlin tomorrow for talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Yesterday Trade secretary Liz Truss revealed the Cabinet did not know how Mr Johnson would take Britain out of the EU on october 31 if he cannot get a deal, but insisted he would keep his pledge.
But government sources warned the so-called ‘surrender Act’ had dented hopes of a deal by raising doubts over whether Parliament and the courts would prevent the PM from putting a hard deadline on negotiations.
Mr Johnson’s plan, which follows weeks of secret talks with
‘Positive advances’ ‘Fair and reasonable’
the DUP, would scrap the irish backstop altogether. instead, Northern ireland would remain in the single market for all goods, meaning it would follow a swathe of EU regulations. But it would leave the customs union, meaning there would be no tariffs on goods trade with the UK.
However, the deal would involve customs checks on goods travelling between Northern ireland and the republic – an idea that has been a red line for both Brussels and Dublin until now.
Ministers are also drawing up plans for a ‘New Deal for Northern ireland’, which could provide billions in extra funding for the Province.
No 10 sources also said yesterday Mr Johnson would never accept the EU’s alternative plan for a Northern ireland-only backstop, even if it was time-limited.
But Nigel Farage last night claimed the plans risk betraying Leave voters, saying: ‘it’s like putting your head in a crocodile’s mouth and hoping for the best.’