Tory Eurosceptics prepare to revolt against Rishi Sunak’s Northern Ireland Brexit deal in crunch vote this week with DUP split
Tory Eurosceptics are preparing to revolt against Rishi Sunak‘s Brexit deal in a crunch vote this week.
The ERG bloc will deliver the verdict of its ‘Star Chamber’ of lawyers on the terms for Northern Ireland tomorrow, ahead of the showdown on Wednesday.
But many of the members are already believed to have made up their minds to oppose the blueprint.
Meanwhile, divisions in the DUP appear to be deepening, with leader Jeffrey Donaldson likely to abstain but other senior figures vowing to vote against. Backbench MP Ian Paisley said this morning that he would be ‘surprised’ if colleagues did not join him in the Noe lobby.
MPs will be asked to approve regulations to introduce the ‘Stormont Brake’ section of the Windsor Framework on Wednesday.
The plan is set to be passed with support from the bulk of Conservative MPs and Labour, but the size of any rebellion will be crucial for Mr Sunak.
MPs will be asked to approve regulations to introduce the ‘Stormont Brake’ section of the Windsor Framework on Wednesday. Pictured, the border with the Republic in Londonderry
Tory Eurosceptics are preparing to revolt against Rishi Sunak’s Brexit deal in a crunch vote this week
Downing Street has lined up the measure – which potentially gives the UK a veto over the imposition of new EU rules in Northern Ireland – as the key vote on the basis that it is the ‘most significant part’ of the agreement.
It will be the first Commons test for Mr Sunak’s deal with the EU, which was generally well-received, although criticism has been slowly growing.
The Windsor Framework as a whole seeks to reduce the volume of Brexit red tape on the movement of GB goods bound for Northern Ireland that was created by the Northern Ireland Protocol.
The DUP has been blocking devolution at Stormont in protest at the Protocol, and while Sir Jeffrey has conceded the Windsor Framework is an improvement he has insisted ‘fundamental problems’ remain.
In an interview with the News Letter, Mr Paisley said: ‘I am categorically voting against, and I would be surprised if my colleagues do not join me’.
He added: ‘My initial reaction to the Windsor Framework was that I didn’t think it cut the mustard in terms of addressing our seven key tests (on restoring NI’s place within the UK internal market).
‘After taking time to study it and a least one legal opinion on it, and going through the details, and also having conversations and messages back and forward to the Secretary of State, I am still of that opinion – that it doesn’t address any of our seven tests.
‘It is the old substance dressed up in a new package with a ribbon around it, but it hasn’t actually changed, or addressed the fundamental issue of Northern Ireland trade being disrupted in our internal UK market.’
Divisions in the DUP appear to be deepening, with leader Jeffrey Donaldson (pictured) likely to abstain but other senior figures vowing to vote against
