Despite the risk of reprisals from Europeans, the British government threatened on Tuesday to legislate in the coming weeks to reverse post-Brexit controls. A subject that plunged Northern Ireland into a political crisis.
Due to the political impasse in the British province and the disruption in trade between the province and the rest of the United Kingdom, London wants to renegotiate in depth the Northern Irish protocol concluded at the time of Brexit with the European Union. But Brussels says it is only ready for adjustments.
After months of fruitless discussions, the head of diplomacy Liz Truss explained to the deputies that the government intended “to introduce a bill in the coming weeks to make changes to the protocol”. “It is not a question of eliminating the protocol” and the proposed text of the law is compatible with the United Kingdom’s obligations in terms of international law, insisted the minister about this project which risks triggering the wrath of the EU side.
The EU has previously warned that knowingly reneging on the treaty signed by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson would violate international law and expose the UK to severe trade retaliation. “Our preference remains a negotiated solution with the EU, and alongside the introduction of the legislation, we remain open to further discussions, if we can achieve the same result through a negotiated settlement,” said Liz Truss.
” Good start “
On Monday, Boris Johnson said he “would like” to resolve the issue “in a consensual way with our friends and partners” in the EU, adding however that the UK also needed the “assurance” of a ” legislative solution at the same time”. The Conservative leader was speaking during a visit to Northern Ireland, where he tried to convince the various political parties to find a compromise and “get back to work”.
Because since the historic victory of the Sinn Fein Republicans in the local elections on May 5, the Northern Irish institutions have been at a standstill.
Unionists in the DUP refuse to participate in the local executive, which was supposed to be shared under the 1998 peace agreement that ended three decades of bloody conflict, known as the “Troubles”. And they blocked the local Assembly by refusing to designate a new candidate.
At the heart of the political standoff, the leader of the unionist DUP party, Jeffrey Donaldson, called the government announcements a “good start” but demanded “actions” and not just “words”. Sinn Fein Republicans strongly oppose a British bill.
What does the bill contain?
The bill announced on Tuesday provides for goods circulating and remaining within the United Kingdom to pass through a “new green channel”, freeing them from administrative procedures. Goods destined for the EU will remain subject to all checks and controls applied under EU law.
“Businesses will be able to choose between meeting UK or EU standards in a new dual regulatory regime,” said Liz Truss. To address EU concerns over protecting the single market, London promises to share more data.
A neighbor of Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, a member of the EU, is also worried about the consequences of a possible unilateral British decision. “Any unilateral action is harmful,” Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin tweeted on Monday, calling for a solution through negotiation.