Truths lurking within the declaration

THE “political declaration” between the UK and EU is not legally binding but lays the foundations for agreements.

TRADE DEAL

What it says: Arrangements will create a free trade area, combining deep regulatory and customs cooperation. What it means: The UK and the EU will be separate trading partners.

CUSTOMS UNION

What it says: The economic partnership will build and improve on the single customs territory.

What it means: The fear is the UK will be locked in the EU’s customs union.

NORTHERN IRELAND

What it says: The parties will work to replace the backstop solution on Northern Ireland with an agreement for ensuring no hard border.

What it means: The backstop remains but we can explore using technology to police goods crossing the Irish border.

FREE MOVEMENT

What it says: The “aim is to provide for visa-free travel for short-term visits”. What it means: Free movement will end but, for the foreseeable future, we will not need a visa for short-term EU trips.

FISHING RIGHTS

What it says: A new fisheries agreement needs to be established on access to waters and quotas.

What it means: Fishing rights will be subject to further talks to be completed by 2020.

EUROPEAN COURT OF JUSTICE What it says: Should a dispute raise a question of interpretation of EU law, the arbitration panel refers the issue to the ECJ for a binding ruling.

What it means: We would not be free of the ECJ.