Theresa May is to instruct officials to examine the proposals for an alternative backstop in the so-called Malthouse compromise, after a delegation of Brexiter and remainer MPs briefed the prime minister in Downing Street. Officials will “test the workability” of the alternative to the Irish backstop proposal, which includes using technological solutions to facilitate a smooth border crossing without infrastructure. “It’s very much about involving politicians rather than saying: don’t call us, we’ll call you,” one MP said. Despite the strong preference for the model from some Brexiters, May’s Chequers plan decided on a different customs model given the unpredictability around the technology. There was a consensus in the Conservative parliamentary party around a technology solution put together by Kit Malthouse,” he said.

Source: The Guardian January 31, 2019 19:12 UTC