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12th March 2019
03:26pm GMT

Jacob Rees-Mogg is the chairman of the European Research Group (Credit: Leon Neal)[/caption]
Tory Brexiteers are concerned that the backstop could leave the UK permanently in the EU's customs and regulatory orbit, while DUPers will not allow a barrier or difference in status to exist between the North and the rest of the UK.
Unfortunately the government's attorney general, Geoffrey Cox, and apparently every single lawyer in the country, has decided that the "legally binding" changes make no significant difference to previous interpretations. No alternative arrangements, unilateral exit facility or time limit.
As a result, both the DUP and the ERG have indicated they will not vote for Theresa May's withdrawal agreement - their opposition continues, having crushed the draft the last time it was put before the house.
The last meaningful vote on May's deal, on January 15 this year, saw the largest defeat in Commons history. It was voted down by 432 votes to 202.
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In the Commons, the DUP's deputy leader Nigel Dodds said the alleged change meant UK could still end up "trapped" in the backstop.
Dodds also sits on a board of lawyers that provides the ERG with legal advice. Another is Sir Bill Cash, who said in the Commons ahead of today's meaningful vote: "There would be insufficient protection for Northern Ireland to continue as part of the UK."Explore more on these topics: