The DUP says it will not support the restoration of autonomy until London “enacts” the law against the protocol.
Boris Johnson’s diplomacy in Northern Ireland to promote the restoration of autonomous institutions, which was suspended last Friday, was rejected Monday by the parties arguing for the UK’s survival in the European Union, and was given a suspended sentence. reaction from the largest trade union party, DUP , which argued for leaving the EU and now denies its consequences.
The newspaper ‘Belfast Telegraph’ published a lengthy article in anticipation of his visit in which the British Prime Minister rejected the idea of ”throwning out” the Protocol governing the region’s membership of the common market, expressing his belief that there is “a sensible landing place where everyone’s interests are protected.” Their conversations may have served to identify him.
The explanation in the article of the economic disadvantages caused by the Protocol in the region (brurocratic excesses, non-application of VAT as in the rest of the United Kingdom,…) and the softer tone are part of the new strategy of the government. Johnson expresses hope that Brussels will “change the position”. But if it doesn’t happen, “action will have to be taken.”
This Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, who is negotiating with the European Commission, will present a statement in parliament expected to set out the protocol reforms London wants. Those changes would be translated into a bill if the Commission does not respond positively to the Johnson administration’s requests.
The planned calendar is a few weeks to negotiate the changes and if no agreement is reached, it could take months, perhaps a year for the bill to be processed. The DUP’s leader, Jeffrey Donaldson, pointed out after meeting Johnson that his demand for action is not limited to words, but to the “enactment” of the law that partially repeals the Withdrawal Agreement.
Without a quick deal, the restoration of autonomy – where there would be new and redundant elections in six months – is lost on the horizon, as long as Donaldson keeps his word. Without the support of the DUP, autonomy cannot be maintained, because it requires the support of the two main parties, which now represent nationalists and trade unionists.
Mary Lou McDonald, leader of Sinn Féin, who won the recent election, said after a “tough” meeting with Johnson, she has no red line whose violation would lead to her withdrawing her support for shared autonomy. But he harshly criticized the prime minister, saying his aim is to “appease” the DUP and “veto” a trade union party.
In their morning article, Johnson’s advisers recall that the Good Friday Agreement was reached with the principles of consensus and the “rigorous impartiality” of governments. He emphasizes that he will now also apply them. The discomfort after their meetings of Sinn Féin, the Alliance and the SDLP, who make up a majority of those elected and want reforms but support the protocol, shows how difficult the task is.
Source: La Verdad
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