UK: Eurosceptic Conservatives say key element of post-Brexit Northern Ireland deal 'practically useless'

Eurosceptics under British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party have shut down a key element in the new post-Brexit trade deal between the United Kingdom and the European Union over Northern Ireland. This follows the decision by the region’s Democratic Unionist Party to vote against a key provision of the deal.

On Tuesday, the eurosceptic Conservatives that make up the European Research Group rejected the key provision of the new post-Brexit deal known as the Windsor Framework. The ERG has since called on lawmakers to make a legal review of Sunak’s plans before voting.

The ERG’s opposition to the provision known as the Stormont Brake and the wider deal did not address the “democratic deficit” in restoring power over some laws to Northern Ireland. The ERG also said that aside from not removing the sway of EU law from the region, the new deal only “limited easings” in trade between the region and the rest of the UK.

“EU law will still be supreme in Northern Ireland,” said ERG chairman Mark Francois. “The Stormont Brake is practically useless and the framework itself has no exit other than through a highly complex legal process.”

Francois said the ERG would be meeting on Wednesday to determine whether to vote for the provision later in the day. However, a source said it would still be up to the ERG’s individual members to decide.

Since taking office, Sunak has sought to end the point of contention within the governing Conservative Party by tackling the long-running negotiations over Brexit that would ensure smooth trade in Northern Ireland without creating a hard border.

Sunak secured the deal in February, touting it as a “decisive breakthrough” which would ease post-Brexit trade rules between the UK and Northern Ireland while firmly rooting the province’s place in the UK and giving lawmakers in Belfast power over whether they implement EU laws.

The DUP said this week that it plans to vote against the Stormont Brake.

Parliament is set to debate and vote on the provision on Wednesday, and the vote is likely to pass as the main opposition Labour Party has supported the wider deal.