RISHI SUNAK pushed ahead today with a new Brexit deal on Northern Ireland’s trade in a bid to “move forward together as one United Kingdom”.
He was meeting European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen late lunchtime to finalise an agreement on the protocol.
The Prime Minister was seeking a pact to “fix the problems on the ground” for businesses and citizens in Northern Ireland, ensure its place in the Union is protected, and tackle the “democratic deficit” over new single market laws affecting the province.
A Government source said: “The deal will ensure we can move forward together as one United Kingdom — where once again goods can flow smoothly between London and Belfast as they rightly should.” Mr Sunak won strong backing from senior Tories to defy the Democratic Unionist Party and hardline Eurosceptic MPs if they seek to torpedo his new protocol arrangements. They stated that this was a moment to show “leadership” and to make “big calls” under pressure.
They urged him to “go for it” and to “get on with the reforms” which could ease tensions with the European Union, boost ties with the United States and at least eventually restore powersharing in Northern Ireland. Ms von der Leyen and Mr Sunak were holding final talks in Windsor today to finalise a new deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol.
This story is from the February 27, 2023 edition of Evening Standard.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the February 27, 2023 edition of Evening Standard.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Can Premier League win over fans for a Stateside adventure?
SADIQ KHAN pushing for re-election after promising to bring the Super Bowl to London; the Football Supporters’ Association promising a “full blown, two feet off the ground, studs to the knee tackle” should a single Premier League match head the other way.
SPURS IGNORE WARNINGS AS THEY SELF-DESTRUCT
TOTTENHAM have been more open and lost by bigger margins this season, but last night’s defeat has to go down as their most alarming display under Ange Postecoglou.
Steidten 'ban' gives Moyes space to focus on rescuing season that risks fizzling out
SINCE arriving at West Ham last summer, technical director Tim Steidten has been a very visible presence at London Stadium on match days.
Odegaard: It's okay to dream, but don't lose your focus
Skipper warns team-mates to guard against complacency
Now saviour Harris is aiming to add sparkle to workmanlike Lions
SINCE Neil Harris was parachuted back into Millwall on a rescue mission in February, only promotion favourites Ipswich have taken more points in the Championship.
I know it sounds wild, but you can't beat Toulouse without scoring a lot of points
DANNY WILSON has devised a \"wild\" plan to outscore global superpower Toulouse in Sunday's Champions Cup semi-final.
London stock market drops out of the top 20 destinations for IPOs
LONDON has today fallen out of the top 20 global IPO destinations of 2024, having raised only as much money as Kazakhstan’s stock market, the Standard can reveal.
Patchy but Dua still produces pop gems
LANDING at exactly the right time to boost the spirits of a nation of bored-senseless lockdowners, Dua Lipa’s second album, Future Nostalgia, didn’t just transform her into the pandemic’s answer to Vera Lynn, it elevated her to the big leagues.
Could Baby Reindeer change TV forever?
NOBODY saw this coming. Not Netflix, not its stars, not the public. Baby Reindeer was quietly released last month only to explode. thrilling and appalling viewers everywhere, and becoming one of the most talked about shows in years.
I was spat at in the street because I spoke about the Hamas rapes of October 7
LAST week, shocked at how I had to dress in order to safely walk around where I live, I posted a picture of myself to Instagram. I posted the picture because I wanted to vent — rather than fight — to do something about the madness that goes by the name of the city we live in right now.
