Boris Johnson has told the EU the backstop is a 'bridge to nowhere' as he outlined his plans to replace it.
The British Prime Minister has sent his plans to replace the backstop to the European Commission this afternoon.
Johnson's proposed Northern Ireland keeps all of the EU rules on goods, food, and livestock to avoid the need for checks at the border.
This would be contingent on the Stormont Executive approving that, and having a vote on whether to stay aligned with the EU or switch to UK rules every four years.
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Today PM @BorisJohnson has set out a fair and reasonable compromise for replacing the backstop so we can get Brexit done by 31 October.
Read the PM’s letter to the EU ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/JgFLpoNjUx
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) October 2, 2019
Johnson has also asked for a UK wide customs territory to allow them to do free trade deals elsewhere.
He said the single market could be protected while doing this - managing it with technology and electronic paper trails, as well as checks at factories and other points away from the border.
The Prime Minister also spoke of a new deal for Northern Ireland - hinting at a large investment package to come.
European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker has welcomed "Johnson's determination to advance the talks", but says "there are still some problematic points that will need further work in the coming days, notably with regards to the governance of the backstop."
Jean Claude Juncker has said "a legally operational solution that meets all the objectives of the backstop" is the only way forward while "The delicate balance struck by the Good Friday Agreement must be preserved."
