THE backstop to the backstop, and the extension to the extension, are both non-starters.
Our negotiating stance now smacks of desperation, with our consistently weak stance over the past two years leaving us vulnerable to EU delay and duplicity.
As the Sun’s Trevor Kavanagh says in a recent article, our great country faces its worst defeat since 1066.
Cleverly, the EU have exploited our weakness, using the Irish border to subdue our struggle for freedom and independence.
Again, in desperation, the Prime Minister agreed to a so-called ‘backstop’, a clause arbitrarily inserted by the EU.
Essentially, this means that if there is no withdrawal deal by the end of December 2020, we remain in a customs union until one is agreed.
How long could that take and what incentive would there be for the EU to let us go?
We don’t know, and none.
Unfortunately, all this plays into the hands of Irish politicians, who’ve consistently obstructed negotiations as they see their dream of a united Ireland come tantalisingly close.
Now there is talk of extending the implementation period by up to a year on the pretence more time is needed for an agreement.
Worryingly, we learn that this extension would see us falling into their next seven year budgetary cycle.
The cost is estimated at billions more pounds.
And, don’t forget that the longer we stay shackled to the EU, the longer we are subjected to their rules and unable to make our own trade deals.
No wonder they prevaricate!
This is all classic EU tactics; wear us all down to the point of exhaustion, and then winch us back into the fold.
We must never fall for it.
We are an inch away from what we fought so hard to gain: our freedom.