“We should have done it differently,” complained the former British prime minister about the Brexit deal on the Northern Ireland issue of his party leader, Rishi Sunak, with the European Union. would lose its biggest asset up its sleeve.
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has sharply criticized the agreement between London and Brussels on the new Brexit rules for Northern Ireland. “It’s going to be very difficult for me to vote for something like this because I think we should have done it differently,” Johnson said in a speech in London on Thursday.
Current British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, along with EU Commission head Ursula von der Leyen, unveiled a deal earlier this week that aims to end a year-long dispute and simplify trade between Northern Ireland and the UK. rest of the UK. But much depends on whether the deal will appeal to the unionist DUP party in the British province of Northern Ireland. Supporters of joining Britain are blocking the formation of a government in protest of past regulations.
“Take Back Control” cannot work like this
Commenting on the Sunak deal, Johnson said: “This is not how Britain takes back control.” The pledge to gain full control over one’s own rules (“Take Back Control”) was the central slogan of Brexit supporters. The former prime minister’s word carries weight in the Tory party, and Johnson still has many loyal supporters.
Johnson negotiated the original Northern Ireland Protocol as part of the Brexit deal. It provides for a customs border between Great Britain and the EU on the Irish Sea. This is to avoid border controls between Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland. But the rule brought difficulties, for example, with sending parcels, medicine and bringing pets from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.
Sunak wants parliament to vote on his deal. A date for this has not yet been set. However, the DUP wants to examine the text in detail. Representatives of the Center for the Union-affiliated think tank reported doubts in the Belfast Telegraph.
Damper to Johnson’s comeback ambitions
Prime Minister Sunak’s success in securing a new deal for Northern Ireland with the European Union ended any remaining prospects of Johnson’s return to British power.
Prior to Monday’s announcement of Sunak’s deal, the former prime minister declined to support his efforts, instead pointing to the legislation he is proposing as prime minister as the “best way forward” to resolve the post-Brexit problem. So far, however, Sunak’s deal has been welcomed by Conservative MPs, including some Brexit supporters.
Johnson’s standing in the group has never been lower, Conservative lawmakers said on Wednesday. One joked that it was time to sell Johnson shares, while another said the return was a long way off. The lawmakers asked not to be known to speak about dynamics within the party, Bloomberg news agency reported.
(APA/dpa/bloomberg)