Heather Stewart is joined by Charles Grant, Katy Hayward and Lisa O’Carroll to discuss one of the toughest issues yet to be resolved in the Brexit negotiations: the Irish border. Also this week: Libby Brooks reports from the SNP conference in Glasgow and William Davies discusses his book Nervous States: How Feeling Took Over the World

They called it “hell week”: a series of crunch-time meetings about Brexit as the cabinet prepares for the endgame. But as the clock ticks down, the government is still in limbo. And it’s seemingly no closer to an agreement on the toughest issue of all: how to manage the Irish border. Meanwhile, the government’s Northern Irish partner, the DUP, is threatening to vote down the budget. Why is it so difficult? What’s at stake? And what could a solution look like?

Joining Heather Stewart to discuss the issues are Charles Grant of the Centre for European Reform, Katy Hayward of Queen’s University, Belfast, and our Brexit correspondent Lisa O’Carroll.

Also this week: Libby Brooks reports from Glasgow where a speech by the SNP’s Nicola Sturgeon rounded off the party conference season. Her message: stay patient, “once the fog has cleared” Brexit will bring independence one step nearer.

Finally: do hearts rule heads more than ever when it comes to politics? William Davies discusses his new book Nervous States: How Feeling Took Over the World.

Leave your thoughts below.