The European Union and the United Kingdom agreed last month after long bickering on a renewed trade relationship. The deal was intended to ensure that trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain will run more smoothly. That was anything but smooth, because, for example, English products that went to Northern Ireland had to go through customs. This was not necessary before Brexit.
That difficult trade within the UK caused frustration in Northern Ireland, because the shelves could not be stocked as well as a result. In frustration, the DUP unionists, who favor a close relationship with Britain, walked out of negotiations for a government. The Northern Ireland board must consist of both unionists and republicans. Due to the difficult negotiations, the country has been without a sitting government for almost a year.
The EU and the UK hoped that the new deal would be enough to bring the DUP back to the negotiating table, but that is now proving not to be the case. The party will vote against the agreement in a vote in the British House of Commons on Wednesday. Party leader Jeffrey Donaldson says there are still many concerns about the text.
Part of the agreement will be voted on in the British House of Commons on Wednesday. Part of the Eurosceptic corner of the Conservative Party is expected to join the DUP and vote against it. The legislation is expected to receive sufficient support. The largest opposition party, Labor, has voted in favor of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government.
