particular staying in the customs union is because come said the customs union this whole idea wouldn't actually kick in until after the transition period which is where we're sort of in a bit of a fudge until december twenty twenty it could of course be extended as has possibly been offered by kicking the can down the can down the road and i think the point is that the brics it is also why read now that actually they're not going to be able to agree this free trade agreement with the e.u. often that it's finished that that's why they're worried that this backstop that is customs union idea is going to happen and they want they've to ever get out of it so they will effectively stay in the e.u. alex you say you as a west mr political correspondent knew a lot of these figures we often perceive these hardcore bricks to tears whether it's boris johnson or the others that whom we saw in the piece as essentially acting on some sort of personal opportunistic basis is that right or is it too simple i'd say that some of them genuinely believe that everything about the e.u. is wrong and they are

i think we would be keen to see something like a customs union, whether it's called the customs union or something else, as part of the long—term solution. clearly, if we get through, if parliament voted in favour of the current proposal, then we will have time to negotiate a longer—term arrangement, which we would like to include some form of customs union. it may not be precisely the way the current customs union is set up. i'm not sure that matters. that is something we will have to negotiate. it's not something we can impose on the european union. and i think one of the question marks we have aboutjeremy corbyn's proposed approach is whether it is possible to negotiate really as complex and arrangement as he wants to see, within the roughly 130 days that are left until we are due to leave the european union. and in that context, the best deal available at the moment is the deal that theresa may and company have negotiated. and we would hope that parliament will approve that and then we can get onto planning the longer term. basically, today we saw business, as represented by t

it is bizarre to get into a situation of the customs union where asa situation of the customs union where as a full member of the european union we had a straightforward mechanism for reading it, the exercise of article 50. now it appears we have to get permission of the european union to lead the customs union. a very eccentric way to negotiate. free trade is what i'd be in favour of, if you want it all its canada plus, that's a good way of phrasing it. do you agree with borisjohnson of phrasing it. do you agree with boris johnson that the of phrasing it. do you agree with borisjohnson that the deal, the d raft borisjohnson that the deal, the draft agreement as it looked, would mean that it would be better to stay in the eu because we would have some control over the rules?” in the eu because we would have some control over the rules? i can hear the great man's dulcet tones about three yards away at a competitive station and you can follow the ask him ina station and you can follow the ask him in a moment but i think what the government is negotiating isn't delivering an era friend and

s customs union. so -- committee to reason may's brexit is a little bit more pragmatic ultimately as a result of the role that the d. u. p. is pride no you wouldn't actually think back from that the hardline recovery being used by the u. p.. but ultimately the do you p. has pushed britain's what's the slightly more pragmatic brexit solution would otherwise be the case but alan that is part of what the brexiteers the hardline exit -- so supporters most hate about this deal they're worried that this temporary fudge on on ireland namely by keeping britain in the customs union temporarily could become a long term solution where the u. k. has the worst. of all possible worlds namely it's still part of the u. but it doesn't even have a voice. exactly -- and and the right of course that. i mean that's what's going to happen if. cool heads prevail if i may get the deal through which is by no means certainly fed why if she got her deal through. its the only possible situation because this is is it is as youou

one of those was we were leaving the customs union. we can only leave the customs union. we can only leave the customs union. we can only leave the customs union with the permission of the european union, which is a worse situation than we are currently in. will you move against the prime minister before she has the chance to bring this to parliament?” minister before she has the chance to bring this to parliament? i will have to read carefully what the text says. strong voices on the right will almost inevitably be joined by resista nce will almost inevitably be joined by resistance from the left. will almost inevitably be joined by resistance from the leftlj will almost inevitably be joined by resistance from the left. i don't believe the deal is in the national interest. it doesn't meet the needs of all parts of britain. it does not give us security in our trading relationship with europe in the future through a prominent customs union in which we have a say. —— permanent. most ministers did back theresa may tonight, albeit without enthusiasm. the cabinet was eve

one of those was we were leaving the customs union. in this arrangement we can only leave a customs union with the permission of the european union which is a worse situation than we are currently in. will you move against the prime minister before she has a chance to bring the plane? i shall spend some money on some candles this evening and read carefully what the text says. strong voices on the right will inevitably be joined by resista nce will inevitably be joined by resistance from the left.” will inevitably be joined by resistance from the left. i don't believe that the deal i have heard so far is in the national interest, it doesn't meet the needs of all parts of britain, it doesn't give a security of the trading relationship with europe in the future through a permanent customs union in which we have no say. remember, most ministers did back theresa may tonight, albeit with nought enthusiasm. the government was rewarded with glass of wine at the end, but it is far, far too early for theresa may to toast success. laura kuenssb

remaining within the customs union forever and a day so does the prime minister's still intend to put a false choice department between him a bunch deal or no deal now where we're making progress in close to a jail is going to take. i mean is that both sides of the house before he sees must be heard and i think if you went house and off any member of the public when the government brings a deal back from europe what do you expect amongst of those homes i think they would expect all about to vote on the deal. also coming up tonight and in a country where there is no democracy young people are finding their own voice by wrapping. up about it so to voice the teenager as a young adult so you can think that contact. we can only talk amongst ourselves that we have no right to speak out freely if you do speak your mind it will only be bad for the a south. and you can change anything anyway anyone. kalim it i. or we begin the day with britain's prime minister theresa may getting her way today her cabinet said yes to her draft deal that maps out the country's divorce from the european union bu

union and the single market. >> prime minister. >> we will be leaving the customs union and leaving the single market. >> whether we remain or leech or whether we sit on this side of the house or that, we know that millions of people voted for brexit because they're anxious about their futures, about their children and fair families. away from the westminster bubbles, we have to consider the community, and we know it will be no deals most damaging to them. >> can i ask the prime minister what the response has been from the business council that she set up, those major employers in the country that will protect those jobs? >> prime minister. >> i thank my right honorable friend for focusing people's life on people outside of this chamber because that is -- they are the people we must consider when we are looking at our decision in relation to this, to this deal when it comes forward. can i just say there's been quite a number of quotes that have come from industry about the -- about the deal and about the fact that, for example, it delivers a clear path ahead that they so desperately

i wa nt single market and customs union. i want parliament to have the opportunity to have that vote. we have to have that say. all of us as parliamentarians have got to reflect on where we are, the phoney war has ended, this is now about the future of all the nations of the united kingdom. is about the government's desire to take as fundamentally out of the single market and customs union. we know that that's going to cost jobs. union. we know that that's going to costjobs. i'd say to every mp, think about what you're doing and think about what you're doing and think about what you're doing and think about your constituents, think aboutjobs think about your constituents, think about jobs and think think about your constituents, think aboutjobs and think about prosperity and being out with the single market and customs union and not having the certainty of what the long—term relationship will be with the united kingdom and european union is said you not acceptable. just to clarify for our viewers, you're saying you have co

how deluded customs union without... ba cca deluded customs union without... bacca —— how to leave the customs union. we'vejust bacca —— how to leave the customs union. we've just had a minister say that he is only reading the document now having sat at the cabinet table and given approval to the prime minister going forward. i'm worried about that that you are giving controls and authority to someone without having read the document at all, and if he had read a document, instead of standing and saying that our defence is outside the eu structures he would know that within that agreement we are bound into the eu defence structures, because that is what it says within the document. solam is what it says within the document. so i am really concerned that we have people standing in front of us, telling us that they are in support, without having read, and that is a cabinet minister, a man who's meant to be at the top his game. the justice minister was patronising people, members of his party who are residing on the grounds, and they should have a vote tha

union, and northern ireland will have to stay in the customs union and the single market, which causes real problems in the union. and we don't have the abilityjust to leave, which is bizarre really for a sovereign nation that we can't leave of our own accord. that is where the problem arises. if you are brussels, you are rubbing your hands saying, you know what? we can make the uk suffer by keeping them in the customs union as long as possible until they realise this is actually a disaster. that is what they are playing at the moment. i think that is why dominic raab has gone. norman is why dominic raab has gone. norman is absolutely right. the reality is that i am afraid this deal looks very dodgy. you think dominic raab has gone because he must have been ignored in cabinet. would you now support a leadership challenge against theresa may and do you think she should go? i have personally never agreed about the leadership challenge because i have always felt we needed to make the changes to the agreement, not to the leadership, and it is very complicated. others however, i have got to

in the customs union until we know who to watch we're changing to. and to whom we're satisfied that any change we're returning those benefits and keep completely open from any. cost caused by regulatory different or anything else which will be created by moving away from where we are now and brick the economic future of this country very considerably if we just decide mutal actually to walk out to some of my colleagues seem prepared to recommend yeah right minister my rational nearly friend we have indeed heard from business a very clear message about the importance of friction is borders which is precisely why the proposal that united kingdom has put forward to the european union is based on that concept of frictionless borders and the free trade area that we have put forward is precisely in that frame my right honorable and learned friend talks about remaining in the single market in the customs union i do not believe that is right for the future of the united kingdom because i do not believe that doing those things would deliver on the votes of th

telling the express i will not let the uk be trapped in a customs union. this is the main complaint brexiteers have against her package which is it includes this irish backstop which we will probably never hear the end of ba cksto p we will probably never hear the end of backstop is an insurance policy that will be staying in the customs union with the eu, brexiteers day that means you cannot do trade deals, remainders say it will protect the irish border. what theresa may is saying here is the customs union would always be a temporary thing. how she's going to pledged to do that, we don't quite know because in the withdrawal agreement which will become a legally binding international treaty, it does say is everything else fails we will end up in a customs union. i think coming back to david's point before, the real dangerfor brexiteers, to david's point before, the real danger for brexiteers, when they started this campaign against theresa may's deal they have the public on their side. the numbers we re public on their side. the numbers were not in favour

-wide temporary customs arrangement that protects the integrity of our precious union. second, we have created an option for a single time-limited extension of the implementation period as an alternative to bringing in the backstop. as i have said many times, i do not want to extend the implementation period, and i do not believe we will need to do so. this is about an insurance policy. but if it happens at the end of 2020 that our future relationship is not quite ready, the u.k. will be able to make a choice between the u.k.-wide temporary customs arrangement or short extension of the implementation period. withdrawal agreement commits both parties to use best endeavors to ensure this insurance policy is never used. and in the unlikely event it is needed, if we choose the backstop, the withdrawal agreement is explicit that it is temporary and that the article 50 legal base cannot provide for a permanent relationship. there is also a mechanism by which the backstop can be terminated. finally, we have ensured full continued access for northern ireland's businesses for th

union if they need the specs up a customs union where the whole of the u.k. is in this custom union with the european union so ensuring there is no hard border between northern ireland ireland but it's called the swimming pool approach because northern ireland would be a little bit deeper in this customs union than the rest of the u.k. so they're at the deep end of the swimming pool and the rest of the u.k. would be at the shallow end of the swimming pool and that's how they resolved it in this with all the agreement some people who are. very close look at this say it's actually not workable it won't work but it's not meant to work because they want to avoid having it just to give you an insider brags that they go shoot it's thanks max for explaining the swimming pool to us barbara coming to you know about that last point you know do you know what they're not islands party democratic unionist party props up teresa mayes government they have threatened to pull out over this deal what do we take away from that. that was clear from the beginning of the do you ap

this is to be part of the customs union and the single market. we will be leaving the customs union and the single market. >> here, here. whether we sit on the side of the house or that, we know that to millions of people voted for brexit because they are anxious about their futures. away from the westminster bubble, we must remember to consider these vast communities. we know there is no deal that will be most damaging to them. what is the response from the business council's set up? i would like to thank my honorable friend for focusing both sides on people outside of this chamber. they are the people we must insider when we are looking relation to this deal when it comes forward. there has been quite a number of requests that have come from industry about a deal. it could bring with it some that are small businesses have craved. businesses out there have been looking for the certainty this deal will bring. and they are concerned that we area.on this free-trade can the prime minister guarantee we will have frictionless supply chains? >> to the

michel barnier was quite clear that this single customs union, the temporary customs arrangement, as we call it, they built on the uk proposal, what the uk wanted, and so that is seen as a win for theresa may, but it comes with demands from the european side, and that is that the two sides it first on a level playing field —— exist on a level playing field, and thatis exist on a level playing field, and that is what concerns some of the brexiteers? absolutely, and there are these provisions to try and create a level playing field in areas that include state aid, so rules about preventing governments from giving unfair subsidies to industries, rules on the environment and agriculture. those kind of provisions are undoubtedly in there. it doesn't mean the uk having to follow a bsolutely it doesn't mean the uk having to follow absolutely everything, but i have no doubt that there is more than enough in there to get well and truly up the noses of some people who have been campaigning to take the uk out. andrew walker, thanks for those initial thoughts. we will get more, as people por

the issue of a customs union. the words customs and union may not appear, but given that whatever is agreed for the uk will mean much more in northern ireland and there may be a special case, a stronger customs union, does that help from where you‘re sitting? customs union, does that help from where you're sitting? it absolutely does. the reality here is that your colleaguejohn does. the reality here is that your colleague john campbell on bbc northern ireland has been reviewing some analysis of what the backstop would mean for business as opposed to what no deal would mean. by a factor of 10—1 in the backstop is much preferable, much more economically sustainable. so that means ourfirms economically sustainable. so that means our firms are able to enjoy u nfettered means our firms are able to enjoy unfettered access to the uk market, enjoy unfettered access to the eu market, and snowboarder, then that isa market, and snowboarder, then that is a very positive outcome, that our firms are poised to capitalise on

including northern ireland, they will be in a customs union with they will be in a customs union with the eu so he would not expect checks on the irish sea or customs checks on the irish sea or customs checks on the irish sea or customs checks on the border but there are going to be other specific provisions for northern ireland which cover rules of the single market so that any goods produced in northern ireland will be able to circulate in the single market. they will need to be checked. this is all an insurance policy so that after britain leaves the european union and before that isa the european union and before that is a free—trade agreement that deals with all these things, this backstop would kick in. european officials and politicians have been very quiet today, leading the action for theresa may and everyone at westminster. you're been talking to people, what have they been saying about what michel barnier has arrived at? the eu ambassadors are being briefed about what is in this document. they have been leaving their telephones and ipads outside so that is no leaks. essen

prime minister may: we will be leaving the customs union and a single market. [shouting] -- >> whether we remain or leave, whether we sit on this side or that, we know that millions of people voted for brexit because they are anxious about their futures, their children and about their families. away from the westminster bubble, we must remember to consider these communities when we consider today. and we know that there is no deal that will be most damaging than this. may i ask what the response has been from the business council, the major employers who will protect those jobs? >> prime minister. >> they were the people we must consider when we are looking at decisions in relation to this deal when it comes forward. can i just say there have been quite a number of quotes that have come from industry about the deal and about the fact that, for example, it delivers a clear path ahead that business so desperately needs, that it brings with it some certainty that our businesses have praised. businesses have been looking for a certainty that the deal would bring. w

union but the truth is that we will be remaining in the customs union both in the transition and in the backstop arrangement which can only be ended with the agreement of the e.u. and the truth is also that the only way to protect jobs investment and an open border in northern ireland in the long term is to remain within it will the prime minister now look the british people in the eye and make that remaining in the customs union is in our national economic interest because without it we will be.

one of those was, we were leaving the customs union. in this arrangement, we can only leave a customs union with the permission of the european union, which is a worse situation than we are currently in. will you move against the prime minister before she has a chance to bring the plan? i shall spend some money on some candles this evening and read carefully what the text says. strong voices on the right will inevitably be joined by resistance from the left. i don't believe that the deal i have heard so far is in the national interest. it doesn't meet the needs of all parts of britain, it doesn't give us security of the trading relationship with europe in the future through a permanent customs union in which we have no say. remember, most ministers did back theresa may tonight, albeit with nought enthusiasm. the government was rewarded with glass of wine at the end, but it's far, far too early for theresa may to toast success. let's take a look at some of the day's other news: firefighters say the worst of the wildfires in california ar

union during transition, and from the eu's point of view, this customs union arrangement isn't an emergency last resort model, it is the model for the future relationship. the discussion goes on. adam, thank you forjoining us. the debate carries on. good evening. it has been a day of mixed fortunes. days across —— rain across northern ireland. a fair bit of cloud that for many of us be sunshine broke through. this picture was taken in leicestershire. temperatures as high as 17 degrees with mild southerly wind, but things are turning colder because colder air mass is moving in from the east and particularly as we had through next week, some of us will struggle to get up to six celsius, where we have had temperatures up to 16 over the last couple of days. it is still world for most of us through this evening and tonight. cloud around in general across england and wales. a bit of low cloud, mist and fog places as well. i held under the cloud with temperatures of 9—12d. drizzly rain at times for southern scotla nd drizzly rain at times for southern scotland but clearer skies for the north

union into the long—term, permanent customs union, and that would obviate the problem on both the board across ireland and the irish sea. that is the way forward, we are not there yet. tony, thank you very much forjoining us. tony lloyd, the labourmp and the much forjoining us. tony lloyd, the labour mp and the shadow northern ireland secretary. let's talk to tony connolly, who is the europe editor at the irish broadcaster rte, he is in brussels for us now on webcam. cani he is in brussels for us now on webcam. can i ask you first of all what your perspective is about what is going on in downing street. the latest i'm hearing is that there won't be a statement from theresa may this evening, and simultaneously andi may this evening, and simultaneously and i think significantly the meeting of eu ambassadors has broken up meeting of eu ambassadors has broken up here in brussels, so the eu ambassadors were being briefed by sabine they aren't, who is michel barnier‘s deputy, and there was a fairly well crafted choreography under way that the ambassadors in brussels would be given a signal

union but the truth is that we will be remaining in the customs union both in the transition and in the backstop arrangement which can only be ended with the agreement of the e.u. and the truth is also that the only way to protect jobs investment and open borders in all in our lives in the long term is to remain within it will the prime minister now look the british people in the eye and lift that remaining in the customs union is in our national economic interest because without it we will be poorer as a career it. is in our national interest is ensuring that we continue to have a good trading partnership with the european union once we have left that is why we put forward a proposal which is reflected in the outline declaration for free trade area goods act you are watching the debate in the commons in london theresa may here friction has been speaking to the parliament delivering a statement defending the draft deal that she hammered out the u.k.'s exit from the e.u. and she said this puts us close to a bridge that eales deal that is in the national interest to protect the integr

at the shallow end still in the custom unions in the customs union but in a more basic way that's why you call it the swimming pool principle deep in northern ireland shallow and rest of the u.k. that's a backstop that's what brigadiers don't like at all you've got the backstop and the swimming pool in there max that's very impressive barbara if i could ask you about what jeremy corbin had to say the leader of the labor party saying that no deal is not an option is the right. no deal of course is not an option for the labor party because they don't want to be responsible for the ensuing chaos everybody knows that if there is no deal till the training ninth of march of next year if you will have them in the way that they will there will be files of trucks going back all the way from dover off to london and they will be scarcity on the shelves of a supermarket of certain fresh goods within days and so on and so far as everybody knows what happens if you break down trade in this very interconnected world from one day to the other so jeremy corbyn doesn't want to own that but he also said

we will leave the common fisheries policy, we will leave the customs union, we will leave the customs union, we will leave the customs union, we will leave the agricultural policy, and we will take back control of our orders and laws. the united kingdom is leaving the european union on the 29th of march 2019. but the prime minister's task of getting a brexit deal through parliament will be tough as this question from one of her own mps proved. you are not delivering the brexit people voted for. today you will lose the support of many conservative mps, and millions of voters across the country. cabinet agreement later today would be a big boost for the prime minister, but her tory critics are circling and parliament could yet torpedo her plan. enright, news, westminster. —— ben wright. the irish border has been nick easter can point in the negotiations between london and brussels. emma fardy now looks at what this draft eu withdrawal agreement could mean for northern ireland. —— emma vardy. the road to brexit has again and again led us back to the question of the irish border.

and tell brussels that we must remain in the single market and the customs union. anything else, mr. speaker, will lead to economic chaos and crisis. prime minister, do the right thing and we will work with you. [laughter] stop the clock and go back to brussels. >> the prime minister. prime minister may: can i just pick up two key points that the right honorable gentleman makes. first of all, he made a reference to scotland's n.h.s. being under threat. in fact, scotland's n.h.s. depends on the scottish government, the s.n.p. government, determining the money is no good -- he's no good in pointing his finger at me. we ensure that in the n.h.s. settlement, it means more money comes to scotland and scotland has chosen not to spend it all on their n.h.s. that's an s.n.p. decision. >> order, order. i protected the right honorable gentleman quite properly a moment ago when he was being brayed at in an unseemly manner. let me say to members of the scottish national body they must , hear the prime minister's reply with courtesy. don't worry. everybody will get a chance. bu

union, that is a prominent customs union, thatis that is a prominent customs union, that is harder to leave by leaving the european union under article 50. it sounds and looks like a coup! a coup is where you use military procedures to overturn someone in office. this is working through the procedures of the conservative party, entirely constitutional, and a coup is the wrong word. what has been achieved today is not brexit and it provides... inaudible question the law to leave has been passed and the withdrawal act is through but what we need is a leader who will say to the european union it is impossible to divide up the united kingdom and impossible to agree to a situation where we have a perpetual customs union. it is impossible to pay £39 billion of taxpayer money for a few promises, which was meant to be £39 billion for an implementation of a deal, and it is impossible for us to allow the continuing jurisdiction of the european court of justice. continuing jurisdiction of the european court ofjustice. the problem is that the negotiations have given away on all the key points.

cannot agree on the nature of their future relationship free trade area for example or customs union and that backstop in this withdrawal agreement draft says that it would be a customs union between the e.u. and the whole of the u.k. but in definite meaning that to get out of this customs union both sides would have to agree and that is something the brics a two years have criticized very harshly those plans in the past now this doesn't mean that the e.u. is on the right track for drugs that of course although they have managed to have this withdrawal agreement agreed on five hundred eighty five pages of an agreement that is positive for the e.u. but if the recent may is able to do anything with it in the u.k. to get the backing of her parliament and it looks like she has to get a serious step backwards now with the resignation of the many then of course those five hundred eighty five pages can just put be put in the worst best ok so what's next is just saying they're big get the ball is now very much in britain's court as we just found out today we've got to resignations already we

the point being the customs union, as we just the point being the customs union, as wejust mentioned, the point being the customs union, as we just mentioned, we are in the point being the customs union, as wejust mentioned, we are in it but have a transition period, we may stay in it, people don't quite know, we are wrestling with jelly. is in a mould, and the mould has defined the freedom of movement, so that is britain getting control over immigration, defining we will not pay billions of pounds to the eu every year, defining we will not be pa rt every year, defining we will not be part of the european political institutions and people worrying about the eu army and things like that, we will not be a part of that. but it all —— is also a assuring bremainers worried about the economy that we will retain single market access that we will retain single market a ccess 0 n that we will retain single market access on industrial goods and have access on industrial goods and have a close trading relationship... but without much of a say on the boundaries of all this? some things on thi

now, he says he wants to be in the customs union. that would stop him from doing trade deals around the rest of the world. we know what is good for this country. good trade deals with europe and the rest of the world. international trade secretary is not the only one who doesn't understand international trade rules. he is not the only one in the doesn't understand a few things. the brexit secretary said last week, i hadn't previously understood the extent of this, but we are particularly reliant on the dover crossing. when did the prime minister become aware of this absolutely shocking revelation about britain's trade routes? say, helly have to stands there and reads out something that says we don't know about trade policy. we do know, that is a exactly why we are negotiating the contin agreements. it is why we will be taking our place as an independent state in the wto. he wants to talk about different positions being taken. while we are doing is delivering a good deal which will deliver on the vote of the british people. what have

union, that is a permanent customs union, thatis that is a permanent customs union, that is harder to leave than leaving the eu under article 50. inaudible i think inaudible ithinka inaudible i think a coup is when you use legitimate procedure is to try and overturn somebody who was in office. this is working through the procedures of the conservative party. it is therefore entirely constitutional and dare i say that coup is the wrong word. inaudible what has been achieved today is not brexit. it divides... the law to leave has already been passed the withdrawal act is through, but what we need is a leader who will say to the european union that it is impossible to divide up the united kingdom. it is impossible to agree toa kingdom. it is impossible to agree to a situation where we have a perpetual customs union. it is impossible to pay £39 billion in taxpayer's money for a few promises which was meant to be 39 billion for an implementation of a deal. it is impossible for us to allow the continuing jurisdiction of the european court of justice. continuing jurisdiction of the european

union, no european court of justice, single market, no customs union, no european court ofjustice, and it seems to me what has happened, and this is why she is in the problem that she has, that over two years, she has fought, the europeans are not going to give us some fantastic deal that achieves all of that, leaving the european union without a deal would cause absolute chaos, and so she has thought, you know what, this is what we have to go with, but i'm not sure that she is entirely prepared for the brexit wing of her party for that. i will let you both go. and an has had a long night ahead of him, he has to go through 580 pages of text, i'm told. 585, someone is telling me. it is very exciting. i hope you have cleared your diary for tomorrow! thank you both very much indeed. just a little recap, because things are moving very fast. theresa may has announced a draft brexit deal, she said the discussions on the cabinet were impassioned but it was made in a cabinet interest. she also announced she would address parliament tomorrow. let's listen to what the prime minister has just sai

and the issue of the customs union. and who remains in it? yes, the backstop, the arrangement that would apply if the negotiations on the long—term arrangement do not produce something that ensures there is no hard border in northern ireland. the backstop arrangement talks about what they call a single customs territory, they were the words used in the d raft they were the words used in the draft agreement. i have to say, that's about a customs union in all but name. in terms of britain's future as a national trade policy the key point is it would not allow britain to levy any tariff that is lower than what is applied by the european union. it cannot strike its own deals at all? not on tariffs and these circumstances, but you can do nontariff barriers and trade in services, investment rules which are often entangled with trade agreements. but there is the real constraint there. if the backstop does not apply and we managed to get a trade agreement that ensures the backstop is not needed, which both sides incidentally are keen to achieve, th