Boris Johnson now faces a Brexit nightmare in 2019. Unionists could threaten Northern Ireland’s power-sharing government. If Johnson doesn’t make tougher trade agreements with the EU, it will be a disaster for him.
Jeffrey Donaldson of the DUP demanded from Liz Truss that a clear date be set for talks between Brussels and London on Northern Ireland.
He stated that Stormont could be affected if negotiations drag out.
This warning is coming before elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly are held in May, in which hardline unionists may be replaced by Sinn Fein as the largest party.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said to the Telegraph that days after Maros Sefcovic, the EU chief negotiator, claimed London had ‘broken a great deal trust’ with Europe, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson stated: “We need a date now. We need a timeline where there’s an expectation of progress. Or the Government takes action.
“It is vital that Liz Truss speeds this process along quickly so that we can make real and meaningful progress in a number of issues.
If asked by the Telegraph about a timeline for Ms Truss’ progress, Sir Jeffrey refused to give a date but stated that January was going to be crucial.
Sir Jeffrey stated, “If there is not rapid and decisive progress on either side, or if one party keeps pushing the ball down the road,” this could have significant implications for Northern Ireland’s stability.
Jeffrey Donaldson of the DUP demanded from Liz Truss that a clear date be set for talks between Brussels and London on Northern Ireland.
This warning is coming before elections to the Northern Ireland Assembly are held in May, in which hardline unionists may be replaced by Sinn Fein as the largest party.
After the abrupt resignation of Lord Frost over Covid restrictions, Ms Truss was appointed to take over the responsibility for post Brexit talks with EU.
After the abrupt resignation of Lord Frost over Covid restrictions, Ms Truss was appointed to take over the responsibility for post Brexit talks with EU.
She is also a Foreign Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities.
The Government has already delayed new controls on goods moving from the island of Ireland to Great Britain that were due to come into effect from January 1.
Post-Brexit arrangements for customs with the bloc will be in sync with other countries due to the EU’s checks of incoming products. These include mainly agricultural and food products.
The Government is seeking major changes to the protocol, arguing the checks required are damaging business and fuelling community tensions.
Although Britain left the EU’s single markets at the start of 2021, it has twice delayed implementation of import controls post-Brexit.
German news site Der Spiegel reported that Mr Sefcovic was the vice-president European Commission. He said Thursday that there were problems with the protocol, which allows for a smooth flow of land on the island. This is in order to avoid Brexit.
Der Spiegel reported that Mr Sefcovic said he was ‘pragmatic’ about Ms Truss’s responsibility for post Brexit negotiations with the EU. He spoke out after Brexit minister Lord Frost quit last month.
He warned that Ms Truss could trigger Article 16 which would unilaterally suspend the agreement between the UK and EU. This would jeopardize the ‘fundament of the whole deal’ between these two countries.
Ms. Truss stated that she is still willing to invoke Article 16 in the event of a dispute.