Brexit: 50-50 chance of breakthrough says leading MEP

[muriel_volestrangler]

2. it's updating - this does look like an important development

From the same link:

UK and EU 'appear close to Brexit breakthrough'

Belgian MEP Philippe Lamberts told the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg that the UK had made a concession on the Irish border.

The BBC's political editor said Mr Lamberts said the UK was prepared to accept that Northern Ireland may remain in the EU's customs union and single market in all but name. But, she stressed, the BBC has not yet seen the draft document nor has it yet been signed off.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reacted to reports that Northern Ireland could retain "regulatory alignment" with the EU by saying there was "surely no good practical reason" why other parts of the UK could not do the same.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-42217735

Link to tweet

It might, however, go too far for the DUP, who are propping up May's minority government:

Arlene Foster, the DUP leader, is speaking now.

She says the DUP would oppose anything that would lead to regulatory divergence between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

She says the DUP wants to see a sensible Brexit.

The Irish government claim to be guarantors of the Belfast agreement. But they are seeking to unilaterally change it, she says. She says the DUP will not stand for that.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2017/dec/04/theresa-may-heads-to-brussels-hoping-to-conclude-phase-one-of-brexit-talks-politics-live