Lucinda Creighton: Why it’s not in Johnson’s interest to accept the EU’s Brexit olive branch

The new proposals are practical and show Europe’s willingness to do a deal, but Boris Johnson has little incentive to solve the impasse and move on

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson delivers his leader's keynote speech during the Conservative Party conference at Manchester Central Convention Complex on October 6, 2021 in Manchester. Picture: Getty

Brexit is once again on the domestic and European agenda, although many would say it never went away.

The ongoing ‘discussions’ about the Northern Ireland protocol have been relatively civilised for the past few months. Even when Britain once again unilaterally decided to extend the grace periods which have enabled goods to travel into the North from Britain broadly unfettered, the EU remained calm and resisted the temptation to react.

However, that could not continue ...