protection for northern ireland to continue as part of the united kingdom. i don't agree with that. he knows that we have a difference of opinion, i hope that the right honourable, the honourable gentleman will move towards my position. i have still a hope that that might be so, and the reason i say that is because one has to look at the mutual incentives and disincentives for both parties to stay in the arrangement. this is a point i made in december, and for reasons i advanced in december, for reasons i advanced in december, for reasons i advanced in december, for reasons i advanced in my november opinion, that the incentives or disincentives for the european union are as profound or if not greater to get us out of the backstop than to keep us m, out of the backstop than to keep us in, that is what i firmly believe. the honourable gentleman may disagree, but that is what i believe. that is why i have taken the politicaljudgment believe. that is why i have taken the political...