But it marked an important shift in Britain’s official position on the backstop as she prepares to meet Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk in Brussels on Thursday. Answering questions after her speech, May said she remained committed to an “insurance policy” to prevent a hard border and there was no question of a Brexit deal that did not include it. But the prime minister has now made clear she believes the House of Commons could approve her Brexit deal if the backstop is changed rather than replaced with “alternative arrangements”. “I think it’s for the prime minister to negotiate in relation to these matters,” she said. The prime minister cannot expect much comfort or encouragement from Juncker and Tusk, who will repeat that the withdrawal agreement is not up for renegotiation.

Source: The Irish Times February 05, 2019 19:18 UTC