Yesterday, Boris Johnson submitted what he believes are “constructive and reasonable” proposals to the European Union. Urging the bloc to compromise during his keynote speech at the Conservative Party conference, the Prime Minister made clear that the only alternative to his proposals will be leaving without a deal. The legal texts are a final offer and unless Brussels is prepared to engage there will be no more talks until after Brexit.

The new plan involves a “two borders for four years” measure that will leave Northern Ireland in a relationship with Brussels until 2025.

EU chief Jean-Claude Juncker spoke to Mr Johnson over the phone yesterday and confirmed that the Commission will now examine the legal text objectively.

According to BBC Europe editor Katya Adler, the bloc will not rush forward to crush the Prime Minister’s proposals as Brussels leaders want to strike a deal.

Reacting to the proposals, EU’s chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier seemed positive, admitting that there is “progress” but “a lot of work still needs to be done”.

Speaking on Sky News, the French politician said: “Let me just say a few words before this new meeting with the Brexit steering group of the European Parliament, which will have, don’t forget, the last word on the EU side, with the European Council.

“So my team met the British team today and we received a legal proposal. There is progress but to be frank, a lot of work still needs to be done to reach and to fulfil the three objectives of the backstop.

“So now we will continue to work, to work to reach a deal, no deal will never be the choice of the EU, never.”

It is still not clear what the verdict from the meeting with the Brexit-steering group of the European Parliament was, but MEPs are expected to issue a response today.

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However, its chairman, the Belgian politician Guy Verhofstadt, said yesterday they were “absolutely not positive” about Mr Johnson’s plan.

In a recent interview with Express.co.uk, Italian MEP Marco Campomenosi explained how Mr Verhofstadt is the man responsible for the punitive behaviour the EU has so far adopted with Britain.

The MEP, who is one of the League’s European parliamentarians, argued that Mr Barnier “is a very reasonable person” and will likely compromise.

However, the Italian politician suggested that was not the case for Mr Verhofstadt.

Mr Campomenosi said: “The productive system in Europe is inviting him [Barnier] not to listen to incendiaries like Guy Verhofstadt and those EU countries that wanted the EU to keep a punitive attitude, which is crazy and wrong.”

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He firmly added: “With the UK, we must continue to talk and negotiate on many issues, not only commercial ones, but for instance, anti-terrorism.

“I spoke to an Italian expert a few days ago about how the UK is an example for Italy and other countries for information exchange.

“So much has been done in recent years and the fact that in the future the UK is not part of the EU does not mean that we cannot keep collaborating on certain issues.

“I don’t think that after the Brexit there will be an invasion of locusts or a famine.”

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