Boris ‘on brink of a Brexit deal’ - what happens next?
PM would need to sell deal to the EU and then the House of Commons within a fortnight
Boris Johnson is on the brink of securing a last-minute Brexit deal, according to reports this morning.
The Guardian reports that the prime minister has made “major concessions” to the EU over the Irish border - namely agreeing in principle to a customs border in the Irish Sea.
The Times says negotiators “worked through the night to secure a deal” with “officials scrambling to prepare a draft treaty text”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sky News reports that Johnson is currently involved in “11th-hour haggling”, in the hope that the draft text of the agreement can be published today. The PM hopes to have the text agreed before EU leaders convene in Brussels for a summit tomorrow.
Michel Barnier, the EU's chief negotiator, is expected to announce today whether the proposal will be ready for EU leaders to consider. If not, they will have to wait until next week, which raises the prospect of Johnson having to ask for another extension to Article 50.
If EU leaders do approve a draft deal this week, Johnson would then have to sell the deal to MPs.
Arlene Foster, leader of the Northern Irish DUP, has already hinted that her party could be a stumbling block, saying: “It would be fair to indicate gaps remain and further work is required.”
There have also been mixed signals from Tory MPs. Owen Paterson told The Sun some of the proposals floated were “absurd”, but David Davis said: “We will probably vote for it because it's as close as we're going to get to what we promised the electorate.”
The BBC reports that the chair of the pro-Brexit European Research Group, Steve Baker, said he was “optimistic” that a “tolerable deal” could be reached.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, the leader of the Commons and a former ERG chair, told LBC: “I think the votes are there now for a deal.”
MPs would get the chance to discuss and vote on the text at this weekend’s emergency Saturday sitting of Parliament - the first in 37 years, if it goes ahead.
The outcome of such a vote could rest on the details of Johnson’s concessions to the EU over his proposed alternative to the Irish backstop - the measure aimed at preventing a hard border on the island of Ireland.
His plan for a customs border in the sea was dismissed by former PM Theresa May as a deal that no British prime minister could accept.
If MPs do not back a draft deal – or if no text can be agreed with EU leaders in the first place – Johnson will be legally required to ask the EU for another delay to Brexit under the Benn Act.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Get your first six issues for £6––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
7 magnificent hotels to visit before the summer crowds descend
The Week Recommends Have beach time in the Dominican Republic or a spa day in Saint-Tropez
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Week contest: Sheep spray
Puzzles and Quizzes
By The Week US Published
-
The bird flu fight is faltering
Talking Points Are pandemic lessons going unheeded?
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Is David Cameron overshadowing Rishi Sunak?
Talking Point Current PM faces 'thorny dilemma' as predecessor enjoys return to world stage
By The Week UK Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Can Boris Johnson save Rishi Sunak?
Today's Big Question Former PM could 'make the difference' between losing the next election and annihilation
By The Week UK Published
-
It's the economy, Sunak: has 'Rishession' halted Tory fightback?
Today's Big Question PM's pledge to deliver economic growth is 'in tatters' as stagnation and falling living standards threaten Tory election wipeout
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Stormont power-sharing in sight: 'good news' for Northern Ireland?
Talking Point Unionists vote to end two-year boycott after agreeing legislative package to address post-Brexit trading arrangements
By The Week UK Published
-
Why your local council may be going bust
The Explainer Across England, local councils are suffering from grave financial problems
By The Week UK Published
-
Rishi Sunak and the right-wing press: heading for divorce?
Talking Point The Telegraph launches 'assault' on PM just as many Tory MPs are contemplating losing their seats
By Keumars Afifi-Sabet, The Week UK Published
-
How would a second Trump presidency affect Britain?
Today's Big Question Re-election of Republican frontrunner could threaten UK security, warns former head of secret service
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published