Sections
Magazine
Latest Issue

Why we need to reform the Crown, the rich history of Chinese people in the UK, why governments can’t just keep borrowing and a profile of Cressida Dick. Plus Edward Said’s confusion, how to fix government sleaze and we ask whether meritocracy has had its day.

Read Now Or Checkout the archive
Previous
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
January/February 2021
Events
Next Event

Rule of Law 3: Managing global supply chains in a post-Covid world—current challenge or future opportunity?

Previous
What next for pensions? Why the 2020s are the crunch decade—discussion 2
Watch: How do we stop a generation from sleepwalking into retirement?
Watch: Homes for all—what new social and affordable housing can do for Britain
To the archive
Podcast
Latest Episode

The Prospect Interview #179: What makes a good political leader?

Previous
The Prospect Interview #178: Governing in the age of populism
The Prospect Interview #177: The trials of Narendra Modi
The Prospect Interview #176: The battle for the Arctic
To the archive
Politics Backstop Brexit EU European Union Ireland Irish border Northern Ireland

How likely is a renegotiation of the Northern Ireland backstop?

Candidates for the Conservative leadership insist they can deliver changes but legal experts are less convinced

By Alex Dean  
June 20, 2019

Photo: Niall Carson/PA Archive/PA Images

The future of Brexit is turning on the Northern Ireland backstop. It has become the most intractable problem in Britain’s departure from Europe. The backstop sunk Theresa May’s withdrawal agreement—and with it, her premiership. If they’re not careful, it could sink whoever comes next. While it remains in the Brexit deal, parliament could simply refuse to give its assent.

For their part, the EU and the Irish government insist the backstop must remain. Yet Conservative leadership candidates breezily claim that they could strip it out. Boris Johnson, the frontrunner, has said…

Register today to continue reading

You’ve hit your limit of three articles in the last 30 days. To get seven more, simply enter your email address below.

You’ll also receive our free e-book Prospect’s Top Thinkers 2020 and our newsletter with the best new writing on politics, economics, literature and the arts.

Prospect may process your personal information for our legitimate business purposes, to provide you with newsletters, subscription offers and other relevant information.

Click here to learn more about these purposes and how we use your data. You will be able to opt-out of further contact on the next page and in all our communications.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

We want to hear what you think about this article. Submit a letter to letters@prospect-magazine.co.uk

Alex Dean

Alex Dean is senior editor at Prospect

More stories by Alex Dean

More From Prospect