heraldalba
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Society
  • Opinion
  • Holyrood
  • International
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Society
  • Opinion
  • Holyrood
  • International
No Result
View All Result
heraldalba
No Result
View All Result
Home Politics

Northern Ireland Protocol: A Double-Edged Sword for the UK Government

Herald Publishers by Herald Publishers
January 4, 2022
in Politics
0
Northern Ireland Protocol

Northern Ireland Protocol: A Double-Edged Sword for the UK Government

Disagreements by London and Brussels over trade settlements between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland have resurfaced. Brexiteers have recognised that the Northern Ireland Protocol could increase the possibility of a united Ireland. 

 

RelatedPosts

Suella Braverman’s Controversial Remarks on Palestine Protests: Braverman’s Mistake or Dishonesty

The Energy Challenge of Millions of Britons on the Eve of Winter

How Scottish Independence Could Change Europe Forever.

NI Protocol Disrupted Trade Between Britain and Northern Ireland

 

One year after Brexit took effect in the UK, disputes about the Northern Ireland Protocol are ongoing and of concern. During Brexit talks, London and Brussels settled on arrangements for the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The Northern Ireland Protocol allows trucks to carry goods without paperwork and checking between Northern Ireland and Ireland. But the EU has strict border rules and the protocol disrupts the rules of trade between Britain and Northern Ireland.

 

Checks should take place on goods arriving into Northern Ireland from Great Britain to comply with EU laws. Strict checks on goods crossing the Irish Sea created significant economic and political disruption in Northern Ireland last year. Supermarket shelves were empty, leading to riots by unionists; therefore, the need to revise and fix these strict implementations was inevitable. 

 

Northern Ireland Has Different Conditions Post-Brexit

 

The UK and EU have talked about the protocol for months with no progress so far. Both sides suggested changes to reduce checks on goods moving from Britain to Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland is different from the rest of the UK post-Brexit and has no challenging border conditions with the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland remains in the EU’s single market and follows the rules of the EU customs union. After years of negotiations to safeguard peaceful trades on the island, the Northern Ireland Protocol was reached.

 

The UK government has already suggested suspension of some parts of the Northern Ireland Protocol. London has asked for the removal of the role of the European Court of Justice from the protocol. But abandoning the Northern Ireland Protocol could result in a challenging border disorder and cause violent conflict. 

 

Brussels Struggles to Keep NI Protocol 

 

The EU Commission’s vice president has complained that the problems with the protocol are due to the fact that the UK government broke international laws. The UK has threatened to invoke Article 16 if both sides do not solve the Northern Ireland Protocol’s issues. Both sides have renegotiated the protocol for several weeks to reduce checks on British products.

 

But the rows over Northern Ireland head into 2022 while London prefers an interim agreement before the May election and seeks to prevent the protocol from becoming the main campaign issue for nationalists. The EU asked the UK to concede on the Northern Ireland Protocol issues. The EU is trying to protect the protocol at any cost to prevent invoking Article 16 by the UK government. 

 

There Are Fears of a Sea Border

 

The Northern Ireland Protocol has been at the centre of the Brexit agreement, and clashes around it could harm the deal. The presence of the protocol makes sure that the integrity of the EU’s single market for goods remains in place. Nevertheless, political fears over a complex border condition between Britain and Northern Ireland exist. But since Northern Ireland remained in the EU’s single market, the EU and UK set out arrangements for trade cooperation.

 

Brussels says it has reduced customs and health checks on British products entering Northern Ireland. But London wants more and argues that the protocol undermines Northern Ireland’s status as part of the UK. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he is ready to suspend parts of the protocol under Article 16. However, invoking Article 16 would backfire inside Northern Ireland. 

 

The Irish Warned About Invoking Article 16

 

The UK government has claimed that Article 16 will avoid disruptions caused by the Northern Ireland Protocol. Article 16 is a safeguard mechanism that allows either party to take unilateral measures to prevent economic and environmental difficulties. But Ireland warned Boris Johnson about the impact of Article 16 that could set aside the Brexit trade deal. Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland also warned that the activation of Article 16 could put broader Brexit agreements at risk.

 

Checks mentioned in the Northern Ireland Protocol have not been fully implemented so far. For instance, supermarkets reduced paperwork to ease the transport of goods from Britain to Northern Ireland. Besides, unionists have been against the checks to prevent discriminatory treatment with Northern Ireland. Now, the UK government’s lack of cooperation could lead to the disappointment of citizens and politicians in Northern Ireland. 

 

Ireland Asks Johnson to Make Concessions 

 

If London triggers Article 16 and suspends parts of the protocol, its relations with the EU will enter a crisis. According to a recent poll, most people in Northern Ireland believe triggering Article 16 is not justifiable. For the Northern Ireland citizens, the protocol is a solution to the social and economic challenges of Brexit.

 

The Republic of Ireland has asked Johnson to reach a concession with the EU over the issues related to the protocol. Ireland’s foreign minister reminded of upcoming elections in Northern Ireland and emphasised that agreements over post-Brexit trading arrangements are essential. The Democratic Unionist Party has criticised Boris Johnson’s lack of action on the post-Brexit protocol. Differences damage the fragile political settlement in Northern Ireland, and any Irish border crisis could lead to a political collapse. 

 

Conclusion 

 

The Northern Ireland Protocol, as a result of Brexit, is a double-edged sword for the UK government. On the one hand, it was reached after years of negotiations and is supported by most people in Northern Ireland. At the same time, provisions in the protocol could create a sea border between Northern Ireland and Britain. Moreover, the protocol could induce that Northern Ireland is different from the rest of the UK.

 

There are geographical and historical ties between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Those ties could lean the majority’s opinion in Northern Ireland towards the Republic. The majority of citizens in Northern Ireland did not vote to leave the EU, and political settlement is fragile there. The UK government truly believes the protocol is not sustainable in the long term. Negotiations did not progress at the end of 2021 and officials want to wrap up the issue before the election campaign. Brexiteers think the Northern Ireland Protocol could increase the possibility of a united Ireland and no one wants a return to the past troubles on the Irish island.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

Share this post:

Share on WhatsApp Share on Telegram
Tags: BrexitbritainBritish productsEUJohnsonNI ProtocolNorthern IrelandNorthern Ireland Protocolpost-BrexitUK
Herald Publishers

Herald Publishers

Related Posts

Suella Bravermans Controversial Remarks on Palestine Protests
Politics

Suella Braverman’s Controversial Remarks on Palestine Protests: Braverman’s Mistake or Dishonesty

When asked about the London demonstrations, Suella Braverman asserted that the police addressed a "significant number of individuals engaging in...

by Herald Publishers
November 18, 2023
Energy bills
Economy

The Energy Challenge of Millions of Britons on the Eve of Winter

As household expenditures, particularly energy bills, continue to rise in the UK, the issue of fuel poverty is becoming increasingly...

by Herald Publishers
November 6, 2023
Scottish independence motion
Politics

How Scottish Independence Could Change Europe Forever.

Humza Yousaf, the First Minister of Scotland, has shown a willingness to reconsider his controversial approach to the Scottish independence...

by Herald Publishers
October 21, 2023
Next Post
democracy

COVID 19: The threats to democracy are increasing

Poverty in Scotland

Poverty in Scotland; exerting measures to confront child poverty.

Brexit

One year after Brexit: Brexiteers see outcomes

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended

Scotland’s economy : ten years on from the financial crisis

Brexit’s Impact On Scotland’s Economy

3 years ago
Scottish independence motion

How Scottish Independence Could Change Europe Forever.

1 month ago
Scotland economy after Brexit

Scotland economy after Brexit: Declining and damaged

9 months ago
Afghanistan

Afghanistan: The Dream of Democracy is Over

2 years ago

Categories

  • Economy
  • Holyrood
  • International
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • Society

Topics

Alex Salmond Boris Johnson Brexit britain Conservative Conservative Party Conservatives Coronavirus Covid Covid-19 Economic Economy Energy england EU European Union Immigration independence Inflation Johnson keir starmer labour Labour Party Liz Truss NATO NHS Nicola Sturgeon Northern Ireland post-Brexit prime minister referendum Rishi Sunak Russia scotland Scottish Scottish Independence Sinn Féin SNP Sturgeon UK UK Government Ukraine US Vladimir Putin Westminster
No Result
View All Result

Highlights

The SNP Views Independence as a Long-term Goal and Prioritises Winning Elections

The Energy Challenge of Millions of Britons on the Eve of Winter

Unison’s Strike: Challenges in Scottish Education

Attention Investors: How to Survive the UK’s Post-Brexit Investment Gap

You Won’t Believe What Scotland’s Decarbonisation Journey Holds!

How Scottish Independence Could Change Europe Forever.

Trending

Layla Moran's family members died in Gaza due to a lack of medical care
International

Layla Moran’s Commons Statement on the Tragic Situation in Gaza Did Not Awaken the UK Politicians

by Herald Publishers
November 27, 2023
0

For weeks, Gaza has faced relentless invasions, explicitly targeting hospitals and refugee camps. Immediate international intervention is...

Palestinian citizens

From Settlements to Blockades: Unveiling Human Rights Violations Against Palestinian Citizens by Israel

November 20, 2023
Suella Bravermans Controversial Remarks on Palestine Protests

Suella Braverman’s Controversial Remarks on Palestine Protests: Braverman’s Mistake or Dishonesty

November 18, 2023
independence

The SNP Views Independence as a Long-term Goal and Prioritises Winning Elections

November 11, 2023
Energy bills

The Energy Challenge of Millions of Britons on the Eve of Winter

November 6, 2023
heraldalba

We aim to preserve the old and noble values of Scottish society. Protecting the collective identity and national interest of Scotland is our priority.

Recent Posts
  • Layla Moran’s Commons Statement on the Tragic Situation in Gaza Did Not Awaken the UK Politicians November 27, 2023
  • From Settlements to Blockades: Unveiling Human Rights Violations Against Palestinian Citizens by Israel November 20, 2023
  • Suella Braverman’s Controversial Remarks on Palestine Protests: Braverman’s Mistake or Dishonesty November 18, 2023
Categories
  • Economy
  • Holyrood
  • International
  • Opinion
  • Politics
  • Society
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Society
  • Holyrood
  • International