Positive deal is in all our interests
LAST week MPs sent a signal to Brussels about the kind of deal with the EU that could gain majority support.
We asked for the removal of the “backstop” arrangement in the draft Withdrawal Agreement which would lock us into the EU customs union, tie us to EU laws without a say over them, and create a regulatory border, dividing Northern Ireland from Great Britain.
I welcome the Prime Minister’s assurance that she is seeking “significant and legally binding change to the Withdrawal Agreement”.
Warm words will not be sufficient, nor will some kind of “joint interpretive instrument” or “codicil”. We need major changes to the text of the draft treaty if the terms of the amendment passed by Parliament are to be honoured.
Donald Tusk’s bizarre and offensive comments were unnecessary and unhelpful.
But we should rise above such abuse and continue to put the positive case for a deal which respects the vote to leave but also sets a path towards a positive future trading and security relationship.
Whatever casual insults are thrown at us, an acceptable agreement is in the interests of both the EU and the UK.
Moreover, the head of eurozone finance ministers has already said the EU needs to adjust its trajectory, open all dossiers and do everything possible to avoid a no-deal exit.
It is vital that the Government takes seriously the compromise put by MPs from both sides of the Leave/Remain divide.
These are a pragmatic set of proposals which would see us leave on March 29 whilst also ensuring we have further time after exit day to plan for life outside the EU.
They include workable arrangements for an invisible, free-flowing Irish border, using existing flexibilities and technology.
Extending Article 50 would prolong uncertainty and drag out this political saga for even longer.
Whichever way they voted in the referendum, there are many people saying, ‘Please just get on with it!’ We should listen to that message.