Northern Ireland's largest unionist party faces a historic dilemma if EU and British negotiators clinch a post-Brexit trade deal: redraw their red lines or risk signing a death warrant for decades of power-sharing with Irish nationalists.
"A positive resolution to the protocol issue is not just very beneficial for everyone living in Northern Ireland, it is strategically vital for the future of Northern Ireland's place within the United Kingdom," Kerr said.
Opinion polls, however, have consistently shown a majority of Northern Irish voters back the protocol, with 54% in favour of the rules with their current lighter touch application and 34% opposed, according to a regular Queen's University Belfast survey last conducted in October. But if there is no agreement unionists can support, Northern Ireland will continue to have no functioning political institutions, he said, "and I don't think that is an outcome that anybody really wants".
The compromise that the protocol represents to British sovereignty "should be anathema to any democrat. But apparently there is a new breed of colonialists in our midst," Allister said, in reference to the EU.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Dáithí's Law: Parties urged to elect Speaker to pass donation billThe Northern Ireland secretary says the easiest approach is for Stormont to pass Dáithí's Law
Read more »
N.Ireland unionists face historic choice as EU, UK near protocol dealNorthern Ireland's largest unionist party faces a historic dilemma if EU and British negotiators clinch a post-Brexit trade deal: redraw their red lines or risk signing a death warrant for decades of power-sharing with Irish nationalists.
Read more »
These Fashion Brands Are Donating to Help Turkey and Northern SyriaFashion and retail companies are working to help provide humanitarian aid to Turkey and Northern Syria after the earthquake.
Read more »
More migrants are crossing the northern border from Canada into the U.S.The number of migrants crossing the border from Canada into the U.S. is rising — in one sector by more than 700% — as more Mexicans desperate to get into the U.S. fly to Canada and attempt to cross in frigid temperatures.
Read more »
Facing years of teacher shortages, northern Sask. schools get creativeNorthern Lights School Division is grappling with a persistent teacher shortage.
Read more »