The Brexit Secretary joined Andrew Marr to discuss the government’s latest proposals for negotiation with the EU 27, which are aimed chiefly at finding a replacement for the controversial ‘backstop’ arrangement for Northern Ireland. The plans outline a new ‘regulatory zone’ which would have to be regularly agreed to by the Northern Ireland Assembly. Critics have suggested that the proposals are not realistic, but Barclay defended the government’s new approach:
Brexit Secretary Stephen Barclay says UK government's new proposals are "very serious"
On issue of the Irish border, he says ministers have to replace the backstop which is a "unicorn" that has been rejected by Parliamenthttps://t.co/E5SH49t4LX #Marr pic.twitter.com/7TbctPRtZ2
— BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) October 6, 2019
SB: We have put forward very serious proposals, which I think people across the EU recognise address many of their concerns… We’ve brought forward proposals on a regulatory zone, but with the crucial addition of consent in order to address the concerns that came up before.

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