Henry Newman: A new bout of political instability hits Labour – but does it change the Brexit arithmetic?
At least four Tory MPs have apparently been placed on defection watch including Anna Soubry, Sarah Wollaston and Richard Harrington.
Henry Newman: Beyond Malthouse. Which compromises would be feasible and acceptable to secure a deal?
It is still possible to find a landing zone that would be acceptable for the EU and to Eurosceptics.
Henry Newman: Norway Plus, Common Market 2.0. Call it whatever you like, it could basically leave us as a non-voting EU member
It amounts to wishful thinking, not a workable, sustainable answer. And it’s not as easy to implement as some of its advocates make out.
Henry Newman: An end to free movement and forced payments to Brussels. Is the backstop really so bad?
None of us would have started from here. But the Government has got us into this fix – and May’s deal is the best of the three possible ways forward.
Henry Newman: There are only two European Council options this week – a managed no deal, or a backstop with an exit
EU leaders should recognise that May is serious in trying to reach a negotiated deal that has a chance of passing Parliament.
Henry Newman: May’s deal could be saved with prompt improvements – such as a Stormont lock
Giving Northern Ireland a say over the introduction of new EU laws would at least introduce a measure of democracy into the system.
Henry Newman: A Brexit deal isn’t certain, but it’s within reach – and it could still make it through Parliament
The process is hard and risky, but it still seems unlikely that the Labour Party would really torpedo an agreement in the last resort.
Henry Newman: A dozen reasons to unstop the backstop
It now the main issue blocking a negotiated agreement – thus risking a No Deal and potentially a harder Irish border. In short, it risks triggering the very thing it is supposed to avoid.
Henry Newman: How to manage No Deal? To start with, pledge to reduce tariffs.
With the backstop blocking progress in the negotiations, the Government must map out its plan to mitigate the effects of no agreement being reached.
Henry Newman: What May will and should say in her conference speech tomorrow
The PM needs to empathise with those who have concerns about her policy. She should accept that Chequers is probably not anyone’s dream plan.
Henry Newman: Now the Government must promote Chequers – which, though not perfect, is at least practicable
For far, far too long Downing Street dithered and delayed crucial decisions. Ministers need to commit to selling the agreed policy before its too late.
Henry Newman: Has the Prime Minister’s change of tack on Brexit bought any goodwill with her EU counterparts?
We will know soon enough, when the leaders reassemble for the next opportunity to break the impasse.
Henry Newman: What will the EU look like after we have left it?
Our exit in will coincide with a new cycle of European elections which will redraw political power in the European Parliament and other EU institutions.
Henry Newman: The ticking Brexit clock demands clarity from both sides, but also adds to the risk of No Deal
It’s likely that there will be some form of agreement, perhaps at the last minute. Likely, but far from certain.
Henry Newman: Unstopping the Northern Ireland backstop, which threatens to block a deal
The Government must avoid one which can be ‘triggered’ in the event of any UK regulatory divergence on goods or agriculture.