Strangely but truly, the best way of helping the Prime Minister is to send her back to Brussels to win concessions on the backstop.
We need a new strategic partnership with Ireland. At the moment, that end seems endlessly remote.
At the heart of the disagreement between “People’s Vote” campaigners and the Norway Plus supporters is whether the 2016 result is accepted or not.
If all this is correct, the EEA route seems to me a sensible way forward if Parliament can’t agree on a deal.
There is concern in some capitals that the UK can use it to secure privileged access to the Single Market in goods with, over time, a competitive advantage.
EU federalism will be stronger in Britain, as rules are simply imposed on you. And stronger in the rest of Europe – because you’re leaving us.
Instead of leaving the Customs Union but retaining chunks of the Single Market – we shall end up staying in the Customs Union but leaving most of the Single Market.
My conversations with Party members and constituents have provided an almost consistent message that the Prime Minister should be supported.
Opposing this proposal serves only to help those who wish to undermine our desire to respect the referendum result. It is only by being united that we can fight them off.
We set five tests for it. Does this draft agreement pass them? And does it really take back control of our borders, laws and money?
“No democratic nation has ever signed up to be bound by such an extensive regime, imposed externally without any democratic control… nor the ability to decide to exit”.
I am deeply disappointed by the path that the Prime Minister has chosen. It seems to be the very opposite of what the British people voted for.
The plan is not perfect. It is a compromise. But as its popularity grows, it has attracted some unfair and inaccurate criticism.