Once done, it will be near-impossible to back down with Stormont elections looming. Can the Government secure the deal it needs?
Also: DUP leader threatens early Stormont election over the Protocol; Scottish Labour councillor defects to the Conservatives.
Also: SNP’s nuclear hypocrisy forces MoD to consider relocating Trident even though an independent Scotland would join NATO.
A united front against the sea border might be their best chance – regardless of the headaches it causes in Dublin, Brussels, or London.
The problem with conjuring the threat of republican terrorism to oppose a land border is the signal it sends to their loyalist counterparts.
Also: Spotlight on the literal handful of MPs providing Stormont’s entire opposition; and Scottish Tories offer a budget deal to the SNP.
Also: Democratic Unionists ‘under pressure’ over Brexit u-turn; and Gove backs Bowie’s criticism of SNP over no-deal preparations.
Also: Welsh Labour choose their new leader (and First Minister) this afternoon; Scottish Tories attack SNP over tax divergence plans.
The general election may have put the latest crisis on hold, but the dominance of Stormont’s ‘big two’ will keep causing problems.
Also: Davies defends Welsh devo-sceptics; Tory peer spearheads bid for gay marriage in Ulster; Davidson attacks SNP’s policy vacuum; and Foster comes out swinging for Brexit.
The recent love-bombing campaign has got the Northern Irish Tories worried. The case for a deal is obvious, but so are the risks.
Also: Davies sets out Welsh Conservatives’ whole-life plan; Davidson closes gap with Scottish Labour; Northern Irish Labour rebel and contest elections; Scottish left clash over tax and oil; and more.
Also: Welsh Conservatives attack urban-focused Labour. And did the Scottish Nationalists know of concerns about MP weeks before withdrawing the whip?
Ultimately, they may reveal less about Brexit and more about the longer-term trends in Northern Ireland’s political landscape.