By Tony O'Riley-
Parliament is waiting eagerly to read the legal text of the Brexit deal expected to represent the agreement between the Uk and the EU on the terms of the Uk leaving the European Union
Mps will begin forming their views about the legal text of the proposed deal once it is published, and the highest figures in the DUP will make their positions clearer then,
The text is expected to include Northern Ireland remaining in the Uk’s customs union, contrary to previous understanding thata central barrier to a deal was that the Uk would have to remain in the EU’s customs union. An all round agreement on Northern Ireland’s relationship with the EU will be a major progress in developments, but some in the DUP are already dismissing this as a settled agreement.
Skeptics do not believe the terms of a proposed deal will not settle the Northern Ireland issue surrounding the boarder and its place in the customs union. That may mean that whilst not everybody in the DUP agrees to the deal, talks are ongoing with their key representatives, like Arlene Foster.
The deal sets the customs boarder down the middle of The Irish Sea.The DUP and Parliament will have to agree to the deal, an expectation the deal makers believe will be achieved. Some objections by the DUP are said to have been made, but the full text will decide where this close deal is headed for.
Johnson earlier expressed optimism of a deal to Conservative MPs, whilst highlighting that it felt like he was on the ”Hilary Steps of Everest, and that the summit was “shrouded in mist”. The Uk prime minister’s indication here is that EU leaders were being difficult but that he managed to hash together a deal that can work. This may yet mean that until we actually see a deal confirmed, there may be no deal.