The Government’s attempts to negotiate improvements to the Northern Ireland protocol with the EU were always unlikely to succeed. Brussels has been using the delicate political situation in Northern Ireland as a weapon to impede a proper Brexit since the referendum. Their focus on bureaucratic procedures and their ideological commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the single market have prevented sensible and pragmatic changes from being made.
There is no doubt that the protocol is undermining Northern Ireland’s place within the Union. Checks in the Irish Sea have led to trade diversion, making it more difficult for businesses in Northern Ireland to sell to Great Britain and vice versa. The Unionist backlash has upset Northern Ireland’s delicate political balance, with the DUP refusing to enter power-sharing with Sinn Fein unless changes are made to the protocol. There are concerns about a return to violence. The EU’s claims about protecting the Good Friday Agreement would be laughable if the situation weren’t so precarious.
The Government has stated its commitment to resolving this issue. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss indicated that there is no choice but to take action following the breakdown of talks with EU negotiator Maroš Sefčovič. The Government could invoke Article 16, a safeguard clause that was briefly triggered by Brussels during the vaccine row, or introduce legislation at Westminster to override significant parts of the protocol.
There would undoubtedly be consequences and retaliation. Senior EU figures have even threatened to suspend the entire post-Brexit trade deal, which would worsen the economic crises affecting both the UK and the rest of Europe. However, there is never a perfect moment to resolve such issues, and the idea that resolving them during the Ukrainian war would benefit Vladimir Putin is absurd. Britain does not need to prove its commitment to the Western alliance to countries like Germany or France, which have done far less to help Kyiv.
If the Government has indeed concluded that the talks have failed and unilateral action is necessary, then it should proceed without delay. Northern Ireland deserves more than empty promises and political maneuvering. Ministers must take action to protect the province’s place in the United Kingdom.
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Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
The Government’s attempts to negotiate improvements to the Northern Ireland protocol with the EU were always unlikely to succeed. Brussels has been using the delicate political situation in Northern Ireland as a weapon to impede a proper Brexit since the referendum. Their focus on bureaucratic procedures and their ideological commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the single market have prevented sensible and pragmatic changes from being made.
There is no doubt that the protocol is undermining Northern Ireland’s place within the Union. Checks in the Irish Sea have led to trade diversion, making it more difficult for businesses in Northern Ireland to sell to Great Britain and vice versa. The Unionist backlash has upset Northern Ireland’s delicate political balance, with the DUP refusing to enter power-sharing with Sinn Fein unless changes are made to the protocol. There are concerns about a return to violence. The EU’s claims about protecting the Good Friday Agreement would be laughable if the situation weren’t so precarious.
The Government has stated its commitment to resolving this issue. Foreign Secretary Liz Truss indicated that there is no choice but to take action following the breakdown of talks with EU negotiator Maroš Sefčovič. The Government could invoke Article 16, a safeguard clause that was briefly triggered by Brussels during the vaccine row, or introduce legislation at Westminster to override significant parts of the protocol.
There would undoubtedly be consequences and retaliation. Senior EU figures have even threatened to suspend the entire post-Brexit trade deal, which would worsen the economic crises affecting both the UK and the rest of Europe. However, there is never a perfect moment to resolve such issues, and the idea that resolving them during the Ukrainian war would benefit Vladimir Putin is absurd. Britain does not need to prove its commitment to the Western alliance to countries like Germany or France, which have done far less to help Kyiv.
If the Government has indeed concluded that the talks have failed and unilateral action is necessary, then it should proceed without delay. Northern Ireland deserves more than empty promises and political maneuvering. Ministers must take action to protect the province’s place in the United Kingdom.