Is the Brexit saga coming to en end? UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson made his final offer Wednesday for a "fair and reasonable compromise" to get Britain out of the European Union.
The government has delivered its new Brexit proposals to the EU, including plans to replace the Irish backstop.
The plan, outlined in a seven-page document, would see Northern Ireland stay in the European single market for goods, but leave the customs union - resulting in new customs checks.
The Northern Ireland Assembly would get to approve the arrangements first and vote every four years on keeping them.
The European Commission says it will "examine [the proposals] objectively".
Speaking at the Conservative Party conference for the first time as prime minister, Johnson remained steadfast in his commitment to complete the Brexit process that began more than three years ago.
"Voters are desperate for us to focus on other priorities," Johnson said. "What people want, what 'Leavers' want, what 'Remainers' want, what the whole world wants is to move on. Let's get Brexit done -- we can, we must and we will."
He also said the alternative to not reaching an agreement would be a no-deal Brexit by Oct. 31.
"Because if we fail to get an agreement because of what is essentially a technical discussion of the exact nature of future customs checks, when that technology is improving the whole time, then let us be in no doubt that the alternative is no-deal," Johnson said.
Government sources said they believed they could enter an intense 10-day period of negotiations with the EU almost immediately, with the aim of coming to a final agreement at an EU summit on 17 October.
Johnson warned British Parliament it cannot stop him from leaving without a deal, despite a law barring him from doing so without lawmakers' approval.
"The EU is obliged by EU law only to negotiate with member state governments, they cannot negotiate with Parliament, and this government will not negotiate a delay," Johnson said.
He said British voters don't want to be "taken for fools" by those who want to block the process. He warned of "grave consequences for trust in democracy" if Brexit doesn't happen.
