So, we walked on the moon, Brexit should not be beyond us

Or so says PM-elect, Boris de Piffel Johnson.

NASA used knitted computer code, Johnson writes in today's Torygraph column, then surely it is not beyond the wit of man to solve the Irish backstop?

Sounds simple enough, but to be put simply, the backstop only kicks in when all else fails: maximum facilitation (maxfax), technological solutions or alternative arrangements. So, when alternative arrangements fail to solve the issue, only then will the backstop come into play.

So, what Johnson and the other Brexiteers are suggesting is that the way to solve the failure of alternative arrangements is alternative alternative arrangements. This is clearly silly, but this is what happens if we allow people like Johnson and Farrage to over-simplify things.

In addition, the solution would have to be within WTO rules, and be acceptable to the EU27, and if they say "no" then it won't work.

Simple.

Brexit is and never was a purely UK policy, it affects the EU too, and to get the Brexit the UK wants, the EU has to accept the solution too. This is the conundrum of Brexit, in that taking back control we still have to share control with the EU. This is a fact of international trade, not the EU trying to keep us in the EU.

If alternative arrangements were possible in the short to medium term, Brexiteers wouldn't worry. That they are worried and whine like bitches shows that such solutions are more than a decade away.

So, yes, its not beyond the with of man, but like Deep Thought said, it might take some time.

Oh, and the UK is due to leave the EU on 31st October, so time is precious.

But then Parliament goes on a six week recess at the end of Thursday......

And finally, if coding is so easy, Boris, you do it!