Even more than two years after Great Britain left the EU, Brexit remains an issue: once again it is about the British province of Northern Ireland. Foreign Minister Liz Truss said in the House of Commons in London that the draft law that has now been presented is necessary to ensure stability and peace in the former troubled region.
Specifically, the Northern Ireland Protocol has so far provided for special customs rules to keep the sensitive border between the British province and the EU state of Ireland open. However, the agreement has created a de facto customs border in the Irish Sea, separating Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK. This led, among other things, to delivery problems and also to great resentment in Great Britain.
Numerous simplifications sought from London
The Northern Ireland protocol accepted by London as part of Brexit is now to be changed unilaterally. Among other things, the goods controls to protect the EU internal market are to be stopped and replaced by a voluntary regulation. In addition, the role of the European Court of Justice is to be drastically restricted. London also wants to give itself a free hand when it comes to VAT regulations. According to many experts, this would be a clear breach of international law. However, the government in London denies this.
It is a series of “relatively trivial changes,” said British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday in advance. If the EU launched a trade war in response to British legislative plans, it would be a “gross overreaction,” Johnson said. Truss said the proposed legislation would provide a “reasonable, practical solution to the problems in Northern Ireland” and would not violate international law.
London wants further talks with EU
At the same time, the Foreign Minister invited the EU to the negotiating table: “We are still open to talks with the EU.” However, progress can only be made if Brussels accepts changes to agreements. The EU had granted practical simplifications for the controls, but rejected a fundamental revision of the protocol. Brussels sees unilateral changes to the text as a violation of international law.
The reaction on Monday evening was correspondingly clear: Brussels takes note of the British government’s decision “with great concern”, according to Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic. “Our goal will always be to ensure the implementation of the protocol. Our response to UK unilateral action will reflect that objective and be proportionate,” Sefcovic continued.
EU proposes countermeasures
“As a first step”, the continuation of legal proceedings initiated against the British government in March 2021 is being considered. “We suspended this procedure in September 2021 in a spirit of constructive cooperation to make room to find common solutions. The UK’s unilateral action goes directly against that spirit,” the Commission Vice-President continued.
Ireland’s Prime Minister Michael Martin called the move a “new low” and said it was “very unfortunate for a country like Britain to be breaking an international agreement”. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney had earlier said through his spokesman after a telephone conversation with Truss that the bill planned by London breaks international law and is a particularly low point in the British approach to Brexit. “Far from solving problems, this law will create a whole new set of uncertainties and damage.”
Also USA skeptical
With regard to the historically sensitive situation in Northern Ireland and Ireland, the USA also commented after the plans were presented: They are calling on Great Britain and the EU to return to talks, according to a White House spokesman on Monday. “The US priority remains protecting the achievements of the Belfast Agreement and the Good Friday Agreement and preserving peace, stability and prosperity for the people of Northern Ireland,” the spokesman was quoted as saying by Archyde.com.
The topic had recently become more explosive because the Sinn Fein party was the strongest party in the general election in Northern Ireland for the first time. It pursues the goal of secession from Great Britain and a union with Ireland. Sinn Fein made serious allegations against London: “It’s unscrupulous, it’s disgraceful and it doesn’t serve the interests of the people here in any way,” said the designated Prime Minister of Northern Ireland and Sinn Fein Vice President Michelle O’Neill.
Criticism even from Belfast
Headwind for Johnson also came from Northern Ireland’s capital, Belfast. A letter signed by 52 of the 90 MPs in Northern Ireland’s regional parliament said the bill went against the express wish of businesses and people in Northern Ireland.
Jeffrey Donaldson, head of the Protestant Unionist party DUP, which is blocking the formation of a unity government in Northern Ireland in protest against the protocol, found words of praise. What the government in London has presented is a solution and that is what is needed at the moment, according to Donaldson. In the morning, DUP MP Sammy Wilson had still sounded expectant: he told the BBC that one had to wait and see which text would ultimately be adopted – the legislative proposal first had to go through the British House of Commons and Lords.
Strong headwind expected in Parliament
In any case, longer discussions are to be expected there – probably also in the ranks of Prime Minister Johnson, who has recently come under heavy criticism. The Financial Times reported on an internal memo circulated among MPs from Johnson’s Tories. As a result, the plans would not only violate international law – the decision could be delayed for a long time by the upper house, which is composed of nobles and clergy, it is feared. The law should first be voted on in the House of Commons before the summer recess, wrote the Guardian, referring to government circles.