British Prime Minister Theresa May insists that a hard border in Ireland won’t be avoided purely on the basis that “people sit around and say ‘well we won’t have a border’.”
She made the remarks while defending the so-called backstop in her deal with the European Union ahead of a crunch vote in Westminster within the next ten days.
Mrs May is facing an uphill battle to get the deal through the House of Commons amid opposition to the backstop to avoid a hard border among Conservative MPs who fear it would force the UK to comply with EU rules indefinitely.
Speaking on the BBC, Mrs May said the previously postponed Westminster vote on the deal will take place by January 15.
She was asked if she is trying to get concessions from Brussels on the backstop – either the inclusion of an independent exit mechanism of a time-limit.
Mrs May replied: “The key concern that members of parliament raised on the backstop was the concern that it could become permanent or it could become indefinite and they need to know that it can be replaced if it’s put into place.
“We and the European Union are very clear, it has been reiterated, if was reiterated at that December Council that this is not intended to be used in the first place and if it is, it is only temporary.”
MPs will resume debate on the Brexit deal on Wednesday ahead of a vote the following week.
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