London Mail
  • Home
  • World
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Health
  • Motering/Cars
  • More
    • Entertainment
    • Travel
    • Crypto
    • Food
    • Home Improvment
      • Real Estate
    • Press Release
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • World
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Health
  • Motering/Cars
  • More
    • Entertainment
    • Travel
    • Crypto
    • Food
    • Home Improvment
      • Real Estate
    • Press Release
No Result
View All Result
London Mail
No Result
View All Result
Home Opinion

The Northern Ireland Protocol needs urgent fixing

by London Mail
December 6, 2023
in Opinion
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

In advance of his visit to the province yesterday, Boris Johnson wrote an article for a Northern Ireland newspaper setting out his vision for reforming the Protocol. His aim was not to scrap the deal, he said, but it had to be admitted that the delicate balance created by the Good Friday Agreement had been upset. East-West trade was not functioning as it should, much has changed since the protocol was agreed, and there was a need for pragmatic reforms that would tackle its shortcomings. This was hardly the belligerent sabre-rattling that the EU has been desperate to portray the Prime Minister as indulging in.

From the start of this process, the EU has been engaged in a sophisticated form of gaslighting. It presents itself as the saviour of the Good Friday Agreement, while ignoring the concerns of Unionists that their position within the UK is being changed without their consent. Brussels has accused the UK of “bad faith”, while itself briefly invoking the Article 16 safeguard clause in a fit of pique over vaccine deliveries. During the negotiations, it declared that the UK had little choice but to agree to one unsatisfactory arrangement or another, as if these were inevitable consequences of Brexit. It did not like to mention that these were choices that Brussels was forcing on Britain because of a refusal to consider more innovative solutions to the Irish border issue.

Mr Johnson’s trip to Northern Ireland was designed to encourage the various parties in the province to restore power-sharing. Few expected it to deliver immediate results. The DUP has said that it will not return to government until there has been decisive action on the Protocol, while Sinn Fein’s leader criticised the Prime Minister. Many voters just want a functioning administration, especially as Northern Ireland is afflicted by the same cost of living squeeze and problems with public services as the rest of the UK.

At the very least, Brussels ought to accept that it has a moral obligation to help fix this mess. A common-sense solution would be in its own interests, too, given that the Prime Minister retains the option of unilateral action, although he does not appear to be enthusiastic about using it. But if the EU still refuses to budge, ministers need to make clear that they are serious about actually overriding the Protocol’s worst aspects rather than just threatening it. The status quo is unsustainable, and nothing will change until the hard realities facing Northern Ireland are finally confronted.

Source link

Related Posts

Actors, artists and writers look in the mirror and see a future in the EU 
Opinion

Actors, artists and writers look in the mirror and see a future in the EU 

May 26, 2024
Senior members of Cambridge University stress the importance of EU funding
Opinion

Senior members of Cambridge University stress the importance of EU funding

May 24, 2024
Letters: The power to act in the nation’s interests on defence should lie with Westminster, not Brussels
Opinion

Letters: The power to act in the nation’s interests on defence should lie with Westminster, not Brussels

May 22, 2024
Next Post
Kanye West posts ‘Shalom’ after Elon Musk lifts Twitter ban

Kanye West posts ‘Shalom’ after Elon Musk lifts Twitter ban

Revealed: The ‘ultimate safari’, which costs £140,000 per person and takes in some of the African continent’s great wonders, from Rwanda to the Seychelles

Revealed: The 'ultimate safari', which costs £140,000 per person and takes in some of the African continent's great wonders, from Rwanda to the Seychelles

Wisconsin woman shoots herself in the buttocks after sneaking a GUN to MRI appointment in bizarre case revealed by FDA

Wisconsin woman shoots herself in the buttocks after sneaking a GUN to MRI appointment in bizarre case revealed by FDA

Recommended

Leaked tape reveals Donald Trump cracking jokes about slain firefighter Corey Comperatore’s widow

Leaked tape reveals Donald Trump cracking jokes about slain firefighter Corey Comperatore’s widow

11 months ago
Johnny Depp gives first look at new movie with Al Pacino ‘Incredibly fulfilling’ | Films | Entertainment

Johnny Depp gives first look at new movie with Al Pacino ‘Incredibly fulfilling’ | Films | Entertainment

2 years ago
Leicester vs Arsenal – Premier League: Live score, team news and updates as Mikel Arteta’s side struggle to find early breakthrough with his usual three-pronged attack all out injured after Kai Havertz blow

Leicester vs Arsenal – Premier League: Live score, team news and updates as Mikel Arteta’s side struggle to find early breakthrough with his usual three-pronged attack all out injured after Kai Havertz blow

6 months ago
Steam Winter Sale start TIME, dates, Steam Awards and list of discounts | Gaming | Entertainment

Steam Winter Sale start TIME, dates, Steam Awards and list of discounts | Gaming | Entertainment

2 years ago

Categories

  • Business
  • Crypto
  • Entertainment
  • Food
  • Health
  • Home Improvment
  • Lifestyle
  • Motering/Cars
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Press Release
  • Real Estate
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Tech
  • Travel
  • World
No Result
View All Result

Highlights

‘Masterpiece’ Netflix crime drama adaptation hailed ’superb’ as it debuts | Films | Entertainment

Urgent health warning as drinking water left in your car could be poisoning your body slowly over time

Hawaiian shirts, fanny packs and awful mispronunciations. Americans are driving Brits mad with outrageous social faux pas… have YOU done these?

‘I asked chefs which kind of olive oil is best and they all said the same thing’

Anyone with olive oil in their kitchen urged to avoid ‘mistake’ which can ruin taste

Carlos Alcaraz breaks his silence on dramatic new haircut – as bemused Rory McIlroy gives his verdict

London Mail

London Mail | Stay Informed, Stay Inspired ©2025, All rights Reserved

Navigate Site

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tech
  • News
  • Business
  • Science
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Opinion

London Mail | Stay Informed, Stay Inspired ©2025, All rights Reserved