The Origins of the Northern Ireland Protocol
The Northern Ireland Protocol was introduced after the Brexit Plan which was proposed by Boris Johnson, helping Britain to secede from the European Union.
Brexiteers intended to make Britain independent of the EU.
Following the UK withdrawal, the EU imposed economic and trade restrictions on this country. Hence, the Northern Ireland Protocol was proposed by Downing Street to avoid a hard border between NI and the ROI.
Northern Ireland Protocol
After Brexit, new regulations were required to reduce strict EU rules and border checks on the import and export of foodstuffs and other goods from .
The Northern Ireland Protocol excluded Northern Ireland (NI) from Brexit rules and the country was able to remain part of the EU single market.
According to the protocol, Northern Ireland can conduct extensive trade with the EU without the usual customs laws.
The goals of the NI Protocol are:
- Eliminating strict trade rules between Northern Ireland and the European Union
- Facilitating access to NI goods by Great Britain
- Including NI goods in free trade agreements between Britain and other countries
- Agreeing to check for tariff or non-tariff goods coming into Northern Ireland from the rest of Britain according to the EU single market regulations and customs union
Proponents of the Northern Ireland Protocol
Naturally, every protocol or plan has its pros and cons. In this part of the article, we will examine the views of those in favour of the NI protocol.
The proponents of the protocol, especially the people of Northern Ireland, believe that the protocol has positive impacts on the economy of Northern Ireland, providing it with a wider market without imposing strict customs rules on the export and import of goods.
Some company managers in Northern Ireland also agree with the NI Protocol because they benefit from it; the protocol facilitates their trade with EU countries.
Opponents of the Northern Ireland Protocol
Opponents believe that the NI protocol is destroying the UK unity and leading to sectarian divisions between the people of the Island of Ireland.
From the point of view of its opponents, the NI protocol is a means for the European Union to retain power over a part of the UK, weakening its position as a whole.
Some companies on mainland Britain are also opposed to the NI protocol because they believe that it has hindered their business and slowed down trade with NI.
Northern Ireland Protocol Designed to Distract British Voters from Issues such as the Cost of Living Crisis
Some analysts believe that the NI protocol is to distract British voters from issues such as the cost of living crisis.
They say that talking about the NI protocol in the current situation and amid the Russian war with Ukraine, which has caused wheat shortages worldwide, including in Britain, will marginalise more important issues such as livelihood and food supplies for the people of the country.
Additionally, following the approval and implementation of Brexit and the narrowing of economic and trade ties with the European Union, the UK has been suffering from problems such as unemployment, recession, and the fuel and livelihood crises. The Northern Ireland Protocol will distract voters from more important issues under such circumstances.
Conclusion
According to both the proponents and opponents, the plan leaves much room for discussion and revision; but now, more important than the Northern Ireland protocol is resolving the livelihood and economic crises caused by Brexit.
