UK says there is still time to avoid Northern Ireland elections

UK says there is still time to avoid Northern Ireland elections
October 27, 2022, 6:00 pm

File Photo. Rishi Sunak@RishiSunak

Fresh elections to resolve a political impasse in Northern Ireland can still be avoided, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s spokesman said on Thursday (Oct 27), urging political parties to restore the province’s devolved government.

“There is still time for the DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) and executives to get back to Stormont,” the spokesman said.

“So, we urge them to do so because the people of Northern Ireland deserve a fully functioning and locally elected executive, which can respond to the issues facing the communities there.”

The Northern Ireland Protocol has been a source of tension since it came into force at the start of 2021.

The UK and European Union (EU) are holding talks on a way forward.

But disagreements over the protocol have stopped the Northern Ireland Assembly functioning and mean new elections may have to be held.

Inspection staff check freight at Larne port. The UK has signalled it will delay implementation of parts of the Northern Ireland protocol

The Northern Ireland Protocol is a trading arrangement, negotiated during Brexit talks. It allows goods to be transported across the Irish land border without the need for checks.

Before Brexit, it was easy to transport goods across this border because both sides followed the same EU rules. After the UK left, special trading arrangements were needed because Northern Ireland has a land border with the Republic of Ireland, which is part of the EU.

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The EU has strict food rules and requires border checks when certain goods - such as milk and eggs - arrive from non-EU countries.

That's why a new system - the Northern Ireland Protocol - was needed.

The border is a sensitive issue because of Northern Ireland's troubled political history. It was feared that cameras or border posts could lead to instability.

White House: Undermining Northern Ireland agreement will not help US-UK trade talks

The UK and the EU agreed that protecting the Northern Ireland peace deal - the Good Friday Agreement - was an absolute priority.

So, both sides signed the Northern Ireland Protocol as part of the Brexit withdrawal agreement. It is now part of international law.

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