The “Ayes” were 515 and the “Nos” 29 in the latest (and last?) vote on the structures that will determine the UK’s post-Brexit relationship with the EU. “A chapter is over” heralded former Northern Ireland secretary Julian Smith. After years of acrimony, the day’s deep symbolism was not lost on attendees. » Read More
DUP MPs will vote against the “Stormont brake”, a key part of the prime minister’s solution to the Northern Ireland Protocol impasse, when it is put before the House of Commons on Wednesday. In a statement, party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said: “Our party officers, the only decision-making mechanism in our party on these matters
Downing Street is preparing for a fresh Brexit showdown with Conservative MPs with the first commons vote on the prime minister’s Northern Ireland Protocol solution to be held on Wednesday. The European Research Group of eurosceptic Conservative MPs is yet to deliver its final verdict on the so-called Windsor framework, » Read More
The discussion on the Northern Ireland Protocol has changed subtly in recent days — and not just because Brexiteers have new lingo, by way of the “Windsor Agreement”, to brandish. Rather, both the substance and tenor of the debate have shifted dramatically because the prime minister appears to have negotiated a better deal with the
Prime minister Rishi Sunak and the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, meet today for “final talks” on the Northern Ireland Protocol, after weeks of rumours that a new post-Brexit agreement was close. Downing Street said Mr Sunak “wants to ensure any deal fixes the practical problems on the ground, » Read More
The prime minister has today unveiled a new Windsor Framework agreement with the European Union which he has heralded as a “decisive breakthrough” on the Northern Ireland Protocol impasse. The new framework was announced at a joint press conference attended by the prime minister and the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
A minster has urged Conservative MPs to back Rishi Sunak on Brexit and accept the deal the prime minister brings back from Brussels on improving the Northern Ireland Protocol. Minister for veterans affairs Johnny Mercer said critics need to “operate in the real world” on Brexit and that “we need to resolve this issue” to
The DUP have continued their criticism of the government’s approach to the Northern Ireland Protocol this morning. It follows Rishi Sunak’s visit to Northern Ireland last week, which included a meeting with DUP representatives, in a bid to seek a resolution. Sammy Wilson, who serves as the DUP’s chief whip at Westminster, » Read More
As I write, Rishi Sunak is locked in the middle of a 48-hour diplomacy blitz, amid reports that a Northern Ireland Protocol resolution has been reached. It comes after weeks of speculation about a deal in the six counties, with some reports suggesting an agreement has been resting on the prime minister’s desk for some
This afternoon, MPs are debating clauses 7, 8 and 9 of a revised Northern Ireland protocol following “practical problems” caused by the initial deal between the UK and the EU. Ellis emphasised that the government wants a negotiated deal with the European Union, telling the EU “our door remains open”. The paymaster general told the…
