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A deal is in "the interests of all"

A deal for Brexit is still on the cards. The British and Irish Prime Ministers meeting today say they can "see a pathway to a possible deal." As ever, the devil will be in the detail. 

The two sides also say that a deal "is in the interest of all." That is undoubtedly true. Crashing out of the EU without a deal would be harmful to all sides and profoundly damaging to the UK. This much we have said all along. An agreement is necessary. We must hope that there will now be a meaningful dialogue to achieve one, and an end to the gameplay.  

Finding a way forward that keeps the border with Ireland as open as needed for the Good Friday agreement and the peace process is essential. 

Any deal must be put back to voters. People talk a great deal about 'respecting' the referendum result. But that result was not about giving the UK government a blank cheque to make whatever kind of arrangement without proper scrutiny. A key element of democracy is accountability.  

We have yet to see the detail of any possible deal, but we should be happy that negotiations have resumed. 

Of course, many will be sceptical of Boris Johnson's real intent. But if there is a way forward, then that should be explored.

If Boris Johnson can come to a sensible and workable agreement with our EU partners, then that would be a significant step forward in beginning the process of healing the country. That can only be done if it is clear that such a deal has the approval of voters and parliament. Let's hope so.
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