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LAST UPDATE | 3 Oct 2023
DUP LEADER JEFFREY Donaldson has said his party is continuing to engage with the UK government over its concerns around post-Brexit trading arrangements, adding he is “not planning for failure”.
He was speaking to media alongside East Belfast DUP MP Gavin Robinson following a meeting with shadow Secretary of State Hilary Benn at Parliament Buildings in Belfast.
The UK and EU agreed the Windsor Framework earlier this year in an attempt to address unionist concerns, however the DUP says it does not sufficiently address its concerns.
A green/red lane system for the movement of goods and “not for EU” labels were among key measures of the Windsor Framework which took effect in Northern Ireland on Sunday.
The DUP has been blocking powersharing for more than a year in protest at the internal UK trade barriers created by Brexit’s Northern Ireland Protocol.
The party says the deal struck by the EU and the UK to reform the Protocol – the Windsor Framework – does not sufficiently address its concerns and has made clear it will not accept a return to devolution until the UK government provides further assurances, by way of legislation, over Northern Ireland’s place in the UK internal market.
Talks between the DUP and the British government have been ongoing over the summer.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Thursday that the agreement of the framework removed the major stumbling block to the return of the Stormont Assembly.
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said over the weekend that there is “still more work to do” and called for the restoration of Northern Ireland’s institutions.
Heaton-Harris said the vast majority of Northern Ireland’s economic life remains “umbilically connected to the rest of the UK”, with most of the economy untouched by anything in the Windsor Framework, adding that concerns over the supply of human medicines have been addressed.
Speaking today, Donaldson said the DUP’s “discussions with the government are ongoing”.
“There remain issues that need to be resolved. We will continue that engagement until we get to an outcome,” he said.
“We are not yet in the space where we have an outcome, where we have got a solution to the very real problems that have been created by the Northern Ireland Protocol, that are harming our economy and that fail to respect our place within the United Kingdom and it’s internal market.”
Donaldson said they have “made some progress” in discussions with the UK government, but said there is “further to go if we are to get to a place where we believe we have got what we need to both respect and protect Northern Ireland’s place within the United Kingdom and its internal market, and we’ll keep working at that until we get that solution”.
The DUP leader insisted he is “not planning for failure”.
“Every negotiation has a beginning and an end, and we will no doubt reach a moment where both sides will recognise that we have taken this as far as we can. We’re not there yet, and that’s why we’re continuing to engage with the government on these issues,” he said.
“I want to find a solution, I’m not planning for failure, I’m planning to get this done because we want to see Northern Ireland’s place within the United Kingdom properly protected and respected in UK law, and we want to see a functioning Stormont,” Donaldson said.
“As to who might form the next government, that is a matter for the electorate of the United Kingdom,” he added.
“Our strategy is not based on what may or may not happen in a year’s time, our strategy is based on getting this sorted out. That’s what we embarked upon in February 2022 when we took the decision that we took because we were not being listened to.
“The concerns of unionists were not being addressed, and what we want is for those concerns to be addressed by the current Government.”
The DUP is due to meet in Lurgan, Co Armagh on Thursday.
Donaldson has said the gathering will deal with “routine business”.
UUP leader Doug Beattie said he believes the DUP meeting on Thursday will be “their stock take” in terms of negotiations with the UK government.
“I don’t think much will change this week,” he added.
Includes reporting by Press Association
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Tell us exactly what ‘outcome’ you want Jeffrey, you know, with precise details and all that.
We all know what you don’t want !
@offside again: Jeffery would be more than happy to rip up the Good Friday agreement if given a chance
@Alan Scott: Why not ?
The opening section states
“It is hereby declared that Northern Ireland in its entirety remains part of the United Kingdom and shall not cease to be so without the consent of a majority of the people of Northern Ireland voting in a poll held for the purposes of this section in accordance with Schedule 1.”
IN IT’S ENTIRETY…
Unionists and Loyalists have been let down and betrayed by the breaching of the Belfast Agreement….
The Belfast Agreement was actually “tweaked” to facilitate the NI Protocol
It is not ripped up…it has been shredded
He realises the game is up. I wouldn’t be surprised if the British Government haven’t told him take your chances . They’ve had enough.
No donaldson you relic,you and your dup cronies are the only obstacle to the huge benifits the windsor framework provides,lets call a spade a spade,yee just cannot stomach playing second fiddle to michelle o neil,thats the brunt of the matter
@David Clarke: If it is really offers such “huge benefits” then why are so many nationalists in Northern Ireland still calling for a border poll then ???
Take your time ………..
Get to work, Mr Donalson. Stop procrastinating.
Unionism is dead…long live the new Republic!!!!
@liam preston: May the force be with you.
Since Feb 22 they have been trying to get what they want and clearly uk gov are not for turning. Time for DUP to get real
Harming their economy?
The only thing that’s harming their economy right now is the DUP.
Get back to work ya orange jaffa cake…
Tail wagging dog much?
“Not planning for failure” well, well they have already failed the majority of the people by stalling the installation of a Legislative Authority for NI.
The DUP and followers get strength from their sense of isolation…but from what are they isolated ? It seems they have a sense of dread of reprisal that if they were the minority in a 32 county Ireland they would then suffer as the nationalists did in the 6 counties. I think they should be called out on this if only to hear their position.
@JP: No they fear they would suffer as Protestants in the Free State Suffered
The largest exodus in Europe between the 2 World Wars
Sir Jeffrey is the best recruiting Sargent for Sinn Fein
@John Conforms: And you are the best recruiting agent for The Oxford English Dictionary.
It be great if they could be sent back and housed where the originally came from. Imagine the peace we would have on this lovely island. I imagine they would be far happier too. Lads you be even more British if yous move to mainland UK.
Delusional, you simply cannot plan for failure when you have already achieved it. It’s the first an only time I’ve ever agreed with Jeff.
They really are on an alternate Planet.
Why can’t they just be somewhat reasonable. Change is coming, everyone knows it. They need to adapt or extinction looms large. England s interest in our 6 counties is at an end. Poor Jeff is not reading the room. Dodo United Party, we know what happened to the poor old Dodo!!
Jeffrey do you hear the bell calling you from the mainland U.K. ? It’s at Westminter at Parliamentary buildings.
Don’t go blaming the Irish Government on this like you love doing.
Donaldson will have to get it into his head he will be playing second fiddle to Michel for a long time.
Hey ho here we go again
For whatever reason nationalists seem intent on pushing Loyalists back to a war footing.
The reality is that in a 32 county Peoples Republic DUP would be the largest party after the first election
@John Conforms: the reality is that the DUP is not even the largest party in Northern Irelamd
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