Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party said it would oppose a key element of the British government’s post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union. However, the DUP added that it would still consider the deal should additional concessions be made.
The DUP said in a statement on Monday that it will vote against the post-Brexit trade deal the UK has with the EU known as the Windsor Framework and originally known as the Northern Ireland Protocol. DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson cited that the “Stormont Brake” provision in the new deal does not address the issue of the EU’s role in the protocol.
“Our party officers…met this morning and unanimously agreed that in the context of our ongoing concerns and the need to see further progress secured whilst continuing to seek clarification, change, and re-working that our Members of Parliament would vote against the draft statutory instrument,” said Donaldson.
The British parliament is set to start the debate and vote on the provision on Wednesday. The brake would allow the UK to prevent new EU laws from being applied to goods in Northern Ireland if asked by a third of lawmakers in the Northern Ireland legislature. The DUP said such provisions do not apply to the existing EU laws in the region.
The provision is still likely going to pass as the opposition Labour Party has expressed support for the agreement. However, the DUP’s decision to propose the deal would increase opposition among Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s own Conservative Party, who refuse to back the deal.
The DUP’s support is crucial to the agreement as being the largest party in the region boycotted the region’s power-sharing government in protest of the post-Brexit rules that prevent a hard border between Northern Ireland and EU-member Ireland.
Sunak’s spokesperson said on the same day that Sunak is ready to assure the DUP over the deal but that there are no plans to make changes to the deal. The spokesperson said the DUP are considered “important partners” for the agreement and that they are willing to answer any questions the party may have. The spokesperson maintained that the government believes the Windsor Framework is still the best deal for the region.