Boris Johnson will not solve the Irish border in 30 days, so MPs must brace themselves to block a no-deal Brexit

Once it has become clear that Mr Johnson’s alternative arrangements are based in an alternative reality, they must be ready to act decisively

Johnson and Macron meet at the Elysee Palace to discuss the Irish backstop (PA)

The Independent stands with Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, and Emmanuel Macron, the French president. They bear Boris Johnson no personal ill will, and are willing to look at what proposals for the Irish border he can come up with in 30 days – although Ms Merkel now says she was not setting a “deadline” when she mentioned that period.

Despite what Mr Macron said was his own reputation as “the tough guy of the group”, he was friendly towards Mr Johnson and even suggested that the withdrawal agreement could be “amended” if a way forward could be found.

But we share Ms Merkel and Mr Macron’s scepticism that such a magic solution is possible. The withdrawal agreement contained what the French president called an “indispensable guarantee” of an open border. If other arrangements cannot be negotiated in the long-term trade deal between the UK and the EU, then the “backstop” plan for customs and standards alignment across the border will come into force.