The latest draft agreement (HERE) has been published on the EU website and it is being reported that there is cautious optimism that a deal is within reach. But looking through it I am not sure the section on Ireland is materially different to the version Theresa May rejected a few weeks ago. I haven't checked it word for word and I may be wrong but the backstop option where we continue to follow EU law in Northern Ireland is the only one set out.
If we sign up to it we will be committed to regulatory alignment unless another solution is found. This is a solution that nobody thinks is possible and of which the Northern Ireland Select Committee, with perfect timing, has just declared there is "no evidence" (HERE).
I am sure that the pundits will be going through it in some detail and I wait to hear their verdict. But I also think if the UK government wants to move to trade talks quickly and give business a bit more certainty this is the agreement they will need to accept. There is no time now to argue for more changes before next week's summit.
The Salisbury incident has taken Brexit off the front pages for a while - but don't worry it will soon be back.
