By Ben Kerrigan-
The DUP has vowed to block an agreed deal between The Uk and The EU after Boris Johnson struck a deal following long negotiations over several days.
After, Boris Johnson struck the late deal with his EU counterparts, the DUP released a statement opposing the deal.The DUP statement said: “As things stand, we could not support what is being suggested on customs and consent issues, and there is a lack of clarity on VAT.”
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It added: “We will continue to work with the government to try and get a sensible deal that works for Northern Ireland and protects the economic and constitutional integrity of the United Kingdom.”
Plans to block a deal will only delay Brexit further, making it potentially an ever elusive goal. Meanwhile, EU president Jean Claude Juncker is eager to get things moving and said he was “ruling out” a prolongation, although the issue is solely the remit of the heads of state and government. “If we have a deal, we have a deal and there is no need for prolongation,” he added. However, the heads of the 27 governments of the EU will need to accept the deal- an outcome more likely than not where the EU chiefs are in full support.
The deal struck on Wednesday night included a continual abiding of the UK by EU rules until the end of 2020 to allow businesses to adjust. It includes The rights of EU citizens living in the UK, and UK citizens in the EU, will be guaranteed. Under the deal, Northern Ireland would remain a part of the UK’s customs territory, including it in any future trade deals struck by the government.
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A joint EU/UK committee will agree on goods at risk of entering the single market, with the UK collecting EU tariffs on them on behalf of the EU. The Northern Ireland Assembly will be able to vote every four years on whether to continue with the new trading arrangements. The vote will be decided on an overall majority.
Already, the British parliament is showing signs of opposition, with talks of a second Brexit referendum being revived . Parliament’s backing to the deal is important, but the EU can decide to prevent an extension by insisting on the deal or allowing the Uk to leave without a deal.
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