EU ready to look at 'realistic' backstop plans from Johnson

EU diplomats ‘not optimistic’ PM can find workable solution to Irish border impasse. EU officials are ready to look at “realistic” proposals from Boris Johnson on the Irish backstop – the main obstacle to a Brexit deal – but are pessimistic about his government’s chances of coming up with workable ideas. Downing Street’s optimism over an apparent shift in the EU’s willingness to negotiate could be scuppered by a new Irish push to reinforce th