What is the BACKSTOP?  If another solution is not found, the Backstop will prevent a hard border on the island of Ireland by allowing NI to remain part of the EU Customs Union and Single Market.  The Backstop was agreed in principle by the EU and UK in the Joint Statement, Dec 2017 and is included in the Draft Withdrawal Agreement, March 2018.

However, as it effectively means NI will be treated differently to the rest of the UK the UK Prime Minister has now stated it cannot agree to the current version of the Backstop. If a Backstop is not agreed the UK will leave the EU without a deal!

For further information please see the BBC NI Q&A: The Irish border Brexit backstop

Text from the Draft Withdrawal Agreement – 19 March 2018

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