Advertisement

Triggering Article 16 will create poisonous instability, Haigh warns

Louise Haigh with Professor Richard English, at the George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice (Jonathan McCambridge/PA)
Louise Haigh with Professor Richard English, at the George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice (Jonathan McCambridge/PA)

Labour has warned the Government against invoking Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol, saying that it would provoke “further poisonous instability”.

In a speech in Belfast, shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Louise Haigh also cautioned against the dangers of a “damaging trade dispute” between the UK and the EU.

This week Brexit minister Lord Frost said triggering Article 16, which would effectively suspend elements of the protocol, would be the UK’s only option if differences with the EU could not be resolved.

The Government has given the EU a December deadline to find a solution on the protocol, which was agreed as a way to maintain a free-flowing land border on the island of Ireland after Brexit.

The last thing that is needed is more poisonous instability and the prospect of a damaging trade dispute with our nearest trading partners

Louise Haigh, shadow secretary of state

The arrangement effectively keeps Northern Ireland inside the EU’s single market for goods, resulting in some checks for products crossing the Irish Sea from Great Britain, and is fiercely opposed by unionists.

Ms Haigh was speaking at the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice at Queen’s University.

She said: “If reports are to be believed, (Prime Minister) Boris Johnson is about to take another huge risk with stability.

“With tension rising in Northern Ireland and a cost of living crisis across the rest of the UK, the last thing that is needed is more poisonous instability and the prospect of a damaging trade dispute with our nearest trading partners.

Louise Haigh delivering her speech at Queen’s University in Belfast (Jonathan McCambridge/PA)
Louise Haigh delivering her speech at Queen’s University in Belfast (Jonathan McCambridge/PA)

“We’ve seen the damage this approach is doing. It is bringing the poison of division back to Northern Ireland. Corralling people to take sides.

“We know the dangers of that path. And that will never be the path to a sustainable solution

“That’s why jobs, stability and livelihoods in Northern Ireland depend on the EU and UK finding a deal in the days and weeks ahead.”

Ms Haigh called on the UK and EU to bring Northern Ireland’s leaders and communities into the process to speak for themselves.

Louise Haigh said few people in Northern Ireland trusted the Conservative Government (Jonathan McCambridge/PA)
Louise Haigh said few people in Northern Ireland trusted the Conservative Government (Jonathan McCambridge/PA)

She said: “It is simply untenable for a government in Westminster, that few in Northern Ireland trust, to decide the future of communities who are excluded from the room.

“To say to the people of Northern Ireland – this is what we’ve decided: take it or leave it.

“Northern Ireland must be involved in these talks and in the huge decisions being made about their future.

“Remember what is at stake in the days ahead, remember what we have to lose and remember that a deal must first and foremost be secured in the interests of the people and communities of Northern Ireland.”

Read More

Latest Covid-19 case rates for UK local authority areas

Ireland in discussions with Biden administration over UK Article 16 plans

Stormont Finance Minister urges VAT exemption on energy bills