Former Northern Ireland and Welsh Secretary, Lord Murphy, is going to review how the Windsor Framework is working. This news comes from Hilary Benn, the current Northern Ireland Secretary, after the Stormont Assembly voted to continue post-Brexit trading rules for four more years.
This vote was important because it allowed local leaders to have a say on trade rules impacting Northern Ireland. The Windsor Framework and its earlier version, the Northern Ireland Protocol, require inspections and customs paperwork for goods moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. These rules were created to prevent a hard border with Ireland after Brexit, and Northern Ireland still follows many EU trade rules. However, some unionists believe these rules threaten Northern Ireland’s position in the UK.
The vote at Stormont was about specific articles of the Windsor Framework that relate to EU trade laws in Northern Ireland. This time, the vote only needed a simple majority to pass, not support from both unionists and nationalists. Because it didn’t get the cross-community support, the rules will only last for four years instead of eight, also triggering a requirement for an independent review of how the framework is functioning.
Mr. Benn announced that Lord Murphy will lead this review. He has experience working in Northern Ireland and is respected across different communities there. The review will look at how the Windsor Framework is working and how it affects life in Northern Ireland and the UK market.
Lagan Valley MP Sorcha Eastwood expressed her eagerness to work with Lord Murphy. She stated that while the Windsor Framework is not perfect, it helps lessen the negative effects of Brexit. She emphasized the importance of conducting the review fairly and based on facts, not politics. She believes this review can help Northern Ireland’s stability and show the benefits of having access to both the UK and EU markets.
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