The DUP leader rejects “any form of regulatory divergence which separates Northern Ireland economically or politically from the rest of the UK”.
Also: DUP gear up for enhanced role whilst working on border compromise; and Holyrood committee shows its teeth and plunges SNP policy into chaos.
The DUP leader has not yet shown she knows how to make the strange machinery set up in Stormont work.
Dublin likes to cite the Belfast Agreement, and we certainly all need what it exemplified – that’s to say, a good old-fashioned face-saving fudge.
A sensible solution is achievable, but unnecessary brinksmanship and over-the-top rhetoric helps nobody.
Also: Scottish Labour plunge into chaos again as interim leader resigns; Brokenshire threatens MLAs’ pay; MPs debate ‘indyref2’; and more.
Also: Brokenshire challenges Brussels to find a ‘creative solution’ for Northern Ireland; Jones faces calls to quit after colleague’s apparent suicide; Salmond bids for control of anti-independence paper.
Plus: the official measure of inflation should be changed; student funding requires reform; and the Chancellor must prepare for No Deal.
If the Northern Irish Office is manifestly unwilling to move towards direct rule, it has no leverage against Ulster’s recalcitrant legislators.
His toothless policy towards the Democratic Unionists and Sinn Fein has created an unsustainable democratic vacuum in Northern Ireland.
It follows that any Tory MP voting with Corbyn would thus be deprived of the whip, and ineligible to stand as a Party candidate in any election that followed.
Though if May moves Philip Hammond, or seeks to, she is also likely to move Boris Johnson, or try to.
Also: Brokenshire announces progress in Ulster devolution talks; Plaid Cymru break off compact with Labour; and Northern Irish Speaker accused of paramilitary links.
Also: Prison reform campaigner compares Wales to Australia; Foster praises May’s speech; Scottish Labour leadership challengers urge party to vote down Brexit deal.
Of course Ulster’s trade with the mainland must be protected as top priority, but a degree of flexibility on regulations in a small number of sectors is sensible.