"Dear Donald" - Johnson's Letter to Tusk and Tusk's Response

Boris Johnson MP

Author HMG
Licence OGL v3 
Source Wikipedia Boris Johnson

Jane Lambert

Earlier this evening, the UK prime minister wrote to His Excellency, Donald Tusk the President of the European Council. A copy of his letter can be read here,

In the first paragraph, Johnson notes that the date of brexit is fast approaching and that he hopes that the UK will leave with a deal. He affirms the government's commitment to the peace process, the common travel area and to maintaining good relations with the Republic of Ireland but the backstop has to go. He gives three reasons one of which is new:

"Third, it has become increasingly clear that the backstop risks weakening the delicate balance embodied in the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement,"

His argument appears to be that the Belfast Agreement is based on a balance between the rights and interests of both communities in Northern Ireland and that balance would be upset if control of large areas of the province's social and commercial life were removed.  Johnson argues that the objectives of the Agreement can best be served if the UK and EU look for solutions other than the backstop.  He offers to put those solutions in place as far as possible before the end of 2020 and to look constructively at any other commitments that may be required to establish confidence if a permanent solution has not been found by that date.

Should anyone wish to discuss this letter or brexit generally, I can be contacted on +44 (0)20 7404 5252 during office hours or through my contact page at any time.

Tusk's Response

The backstop is an insurance to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland unless and until an alternative is found. Those against the backstop and not proposing realistic alternatives in fact support reestablishing a border. Even if they do not admit it.

— Donald Tusk (@eucopresident) August 20, 2019