Just wondering, not actually saying I'm for for or against this notion, but lets think about it.
As the will of the people of Northern Ireland should be given proper consideration, why not have a referendum in the province to see if they would accept the backstop?
They are the ones it affects the most after all.
Due to an unfortunate string of events,the people of NI have been denied representation for the last two years. They have been under adminstration. Had there been an assembly in operation, perhaps we might know, because then the DUP would have been challenged to defend and argue the stance they have taken.
The decision making process is complicated by the intense desire by a substantial minority to retain the link with UK, irrespective of any economic considerations and compounded by a( probably) smaller group who want a united political union of Ireland. These are coexisting with all manner of political and economic opinions as are common now in mainland UK.
There is only one thing which unites them all... A firm desire to have no hard border, between the counties of Down, Armagh, Fermanagh, Tyrone,Derry and the South. Everyone, North and South likes the current border arrangement we currently enjoy.
The genuine fear of one of these groups is that if a customs border were set up in Cairnryan.. Scotland, the logical place, it would be a psychological blow to their avowed Britishness.
The major danger of a plebiscite in NI on a backstop is that it would be seen, not for what it is, but a proxy for the United Ireland poll. and play into the SF narrative. The proper place for that debate is in a NI Assembly.