Another pop for cable

An FT report says the EU floats a compromise on a plan for Northern Ireland that would give the UK stronger guarantees that the customs border would not be needed in the Irish sea.

Here's the story.

It sounds like a win for the UK:

"In a concession to London, the EU would lay out the full terms of a 'bare-bones' all-UK customs union in Britain's exit agreement, avoiding the need to negotiate a second customs treaty after Brexit, according to several diplomats familiar with the plan. The stop-gap measure would remain in place until a permanent UK-EU trade agreement is agreed."

The report says May's team is expected to indicate whether it will be open to this type of compromise next week.

Two issues:

  • This might be too soft of a Brexit deal for some of the pro-Brexit parts of May's government

  • Some of the details are similar to what May has already turned down

The big issues isn't a deal, it's May's ability to get her party on board.

From the FT:

"We were almost there in October," said a second diplomat briefed on the plan. "It wasn't politically feasible in London. Even if we add more of the customs union [in the Article 50 exit treaty] the real question is whether she can sell it back home."