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Brexit: New UK plan for Northern Ireland to stay in single market Brexit: New UK plan for Northern Ireland to stay in single market
(about 1 hour later)
The government has delivered its new Brexit proposals to the EU, including plans to replace the Irish backstop.The government has delivered its new Brexit proposals to the EU, including plans to replace the Irish backstop.
The plan, outlined in a seven-page document, would see Northern Ireland stay in the European single market for goods, but leave the customs union - resulting in new customs checks.The plan, outlined in a seven-page document, would see Northern Ireland stay in the European single market for goods, but leave the customs union - resulting in new customs checks.
The Northern Ireland Assembly would get to approve the arrangements first and vote every four years on keeping them.The Northern Ireland Assembly would get to approve the arrangements first and vote every four years on keeping them.
The European Commission says it will "examine [the proposals] objectively". The European Commission said there had been progress but "problems" remained.
The UK is set to leave the EU on 31 October and the government has insisted it will not negotiate a further delay beyond the Halloween deadline.The UK is set to leave the EU on 31 October and the government has insisted it will not negotiate a further delay beyond the Halloween deadline.
Speaking at the Conservative Party conference earlier on Wednesday, Boris Johnson said the only alternative to his Brexit plan was no-deal.Speaking at the Conservative Party conference earlier on Wednesday, Boris Johnson said the only alternative to his Brexit plan was no-deal.
In a letter to European Commission's president, Jean-Claude Juncker, the prime minister said the new proposals "respect the decision taken by the people of the UK to leave the EU, while dealing pragmatically with that decision's consequences in Northern Ireland and in Ireland".In a letter to European Commission's president, Jean-Claude Juncker, the prime minister said the new proposals "respect the decision taken by the people of the UK to leave the EU, while dealing pragmatically with that decision's consequences in Northern Ireland and in Ireland".
Government sources said they believed they could enter an intense 10-day period of negotiations with the EU almost immediately, with the aim of coming to a final agreement at an EU summit on 17 October. Government sources hoped the UK might be able to enter an intense 10-day period of negotiations with the EU almost immediately, with the aim of coming to a final agreement at an EU summit on 17 October.
John Campbell, the BBC's Northern Ireland business editor, said the UK's acknowledgement there would be new customs checks for cross-border trade would make it very hard for the Irish government to accept the package. Mr Juncker welcomed what he said were "positive advances" in some areas but he said the UK's proposed system of "governance" of the new arrangements was "problematic" - and customs rules remained a concern.
The EU will analyse these proposals and probably keep the door open to further talks with UK so there's no risk of being blamed for a no-deal Brexit. Don't expect the EU to rush to reject the prime minister's proposals even though there are elements that clearly contravene EU red lines, such as the implementation of any kind of customs procedures between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
They will likely welcome the massive increase in regulatory alignment proposed for Northern Ireland - which a few days ago was only going to cover food and agriculture and now covers virtually all goods. Jean-Claude Juncker spoke today of "concerns" arising from the text but EU leaders won't want to be seen to be the ones closing the door to a deal.
The UK will also allow the European Court of Justice to administer EU law in Northern Ireland. Throughout the Brexit process they've repeatedly kicked the ball back into the UK government's court.
The customs arrangement is based on a lot of trust and a lot of checks, including at "dedicated premises" which sound a bit like the customs infrastructure the EU wants to avoid. On cue, leaders are "welcoming the delivery of the proposals from the government" and inviting the prime minister to continue negotiations.
But there will be lots of information about goods travelling into Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK, which the government could share with the EU. The fundamental questions for the EU remain: How much does does the prime minister really want a deal? Is he willing to move from his apparent "take it or leave it" position?
There's also a big problem with the exit mechanism for the Northern Irish Assembly: is this handing the DUP a veto, and what happens if they decide to end the backstop arrangements? If he is, there will be something to talk about. If not, the EU will try its best to avoid being the ones to say "forget it".
Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party - long-term critics of the backstop and partners of the Conservative Party in Parliament - gave a cautious welcome to the proposals. But Mr Johnson should think again if he imagines his proposals, which do include concessions from his side, will prompt EU countries with a lot to lose in a no deal Brexit (like Germany) to try to force Ireland to accept his offer.
In a statement, the DUP said the plan "demonstrates commitment to working with our neighbours" in Ireland and respected "the integrity of Northern Ireland's economic and constitutional position within the United Kingdom". Angela Merkel today insisted EU leaders would stick together. With such an important EU member leaving, Mrs Merkel believes unity amongst those left behind is paramount.
But Sinn Fein said the plans were a "non-starter" and accused their former power-sharing partners of "working against the interests of the people" of Northern Ireland. Arlene Foster, leader of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party, supported the plan, saying it would allow Northern Ireland to leave the customs union and single market at the same time as the rest of the UK.
Several Conservative MPs who opposed Theresa May's agreement also signalled their likely support, with leading Brexiteer Steve Baker saying he was "cautiously optimistic".
But Sinn Fein said the plans were a "non-starter" and accused the DUP, their former power-sharing partners of "working against the interests of the people" of Northern Ireland.
And Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the deal was "not acceptable" and "worse" than Theresa May's agreement, as it "undermined" the Good Friday Agreement that secured peace in Northern Ireland.And Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the deal was "not acceptable" and "worse" than Theresa May's agreement, as it "undermined" the Good Friday Agreement that secured peace in Northern Ireland.
What is in the proposals?What is in the proposals?
The prime minister has set out details of his plan to replace the Irish border "backstop" in the current Brexit agreement.The prime minister has set out details of his plan to replace the Irish border "backstop" in the current Brexit agreement.
The backstop is the controversial "insurance policy" that is meant to keep a free-flowing border on the island of Ireland but which critics - including the PM - fear could trap the UK in EU trading rules indefinitely.The backstop is the controversial "insurance policy" that is meant to keep a free-flowing border on the island of Ireland but which critics - including the PM - fear could trap the UK in EU trading rules indefinitely.
Under Mr Johnson's proposals, which he calls a "broad landing zone" for a new deal with the EU:Under Mr Johnson's proposals, which he calls a "broad landing zone" for a new deal with the EU:
The government is also promising a "New Deal for Northern Ireland", with financial commitments to help manage the changes.The government is also promising a "New Deal for Northern Ireland", with financial commitments to help manage the changes.
What's the reaction been? German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has spoken to Mr Johnson, said the EU would study the proposals carefully.
Later, Mr Johnson will speak to Mr Juncker on the phone and the two sides' negotiating teams will also meet, while the UK PM will also speak to his Irish counterpart. She said she "trusted" the bloc's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier to maintain European unity.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the EU would study the proposals carefully and she "trusted" the bloc's Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier to maintain European unity.
But opponents of Brexit in Parliament indicated they would not support the proposals, unless they were accompanied by the promise of another referendum.But opponents of Brexit in Parliament indicated they would not support the proposals, unless they were accompanied by the promise of another referendum.
The Lib Dems said the proposals would deal a "hammer blow" to the Northern Irish economy while the SNP said it gave the DUP a veto over the proposed alternative to the backstop. The Liberal Democrats, who want to stop Brexit, said the proposals would deal a "hammer blow" to the Northern Irish economy.
"This is not a way forward," the SNP's Ian Blackford told the BBC. "It is window dressing from the government." The Scottish National Party dismissed the proposals as "window dressing".