Menu
17/01/2019
Brexit: SDLP Urge Parliament To Secure Backstop
SDLP leader Colum Eastwood has written to both the Conservative and Labour Party leaders amid the ongoing Brexit chaos, urging them to uphold the backstop mechanism within the Withdrawal Agreement.
It comes in the wake of the meaningful vote on Tuesday 15 January, when Parliament voted to reject Prime Minister Theresa May's deal, which contained the controversial backstop provision to protect the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.
The Foyle MLA called on Mrs May and the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to uphold the mechanism "in the interests of the people of Northern Ireland".
"The majority of people here, including business leaders, the agri-food sector and border communities, as well as many members of your own party, are agreed that short of no Brexit at all, the Backstop is vital in protecting our interests," he told Mr Corbyn.
"The SDLP have no interest in either inter or intra-party conflict in London. Regardless of the chaos and division in Westminster, the fact remains that there is no way to avoid a hard border in Ireland if Northern Ireland leaves the Customs Union and Single Market. That is why a Backstop is essential."
Mr Eastwood also told the Conservative Party leader: "On the 23 June 2016, the people of Northern Ireland expressed their clear wish to remain in the European Union; since that time their voice has either been misrepresented on the benches of Westminster or ignored altogether.
"Therefore, I am asking that you provide the people of Northern Ireland with a commitment that the British Government will not renege on the implementation of the Backstop."
(JG/CM)
It comes in the wake of the meaningful vote on Tuesday 15 January, when Parliament voted to reject Prime Minister Theresa May's deal, which contained the controversial backstop provision to protect the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic.
The Foyle MLA called on Mrs May and the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to uphold the mechanism "in the interests of the people of Northern Ireland".
"The majority of people here, including business leaders, the agri-food sector and border communities, as well as many members of your own party, are agreed that short of no Brexit at all, the Backstop is vital in protecting our interests," he told Mr Corbyn.
"The SDLP have no interest in either inter or intra-party conflict in London. Regardless of the chaos and division in Westminster, the fact remains that there is no way to avoid a hard border in Ireland if Northern Ireland leaves the Customs Union and Single Market. That is why a Backstop is essential."
Mr Eastwood also told the Conservative Party leader: "On the 23 June 2016, the people of Northern Ireland expressed their clear wish to remain in the European Union; since that time their voice has either been misrepresented on the benches of Westminster or ignored altogether.
"Therefore, I am asking that you provide the people of Northern Ireland with a commitment that the British Government will not renege on the implementation of the Backstop."
(JG/CM)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 February 2019
PM To Visit NI In Hope Of Winning Brexit Support
Prime Minister Theresa May is set to visit Northern Ireland tomorrow, 05 February, in a bid to win support for her revised Brexit strategy. According to a Downing Street spokesperson, Mrs May will address business leaders in a speech centred upon the crucial Irish border issue.
PM To Visit NI In Hope Of Winning Brexit Support
Prime Minister Theresa May is set to visit Northern Ireland tomorrow, 05 February, in a bid to win support for her revised Brexit strategy. According to a Downing Street spokesperson, Mrs May will address business leaders in a speech centred upon the crucial Irish border issue.
15 November 2018
NI Minister Shailesh Vara Quits Following Brexit Draft Deal
Northern Ireland Minister Shailesh Vara has resigned from his post, stating that he cannot support Theresa May's Brexit agreement, which "leaves the UK in a halfway house with no time limit on when we will finally be a sovereign nation".
NI Minister Shailesh Vara Quits Following Brexit Draft Deal
Northern Ireland Minister Shailesh Vara has resigned from his post, stating that he cannot support Theresa May's Brexit agreement, which "leaves the UK in a halfway house with no time limit on when we will finally be a sovereign nation".
24 September 2018
DUP 'Distorting' The Views And Interests Of NI
The DUP have been accused of "distorting" the views and interests of Northern Ireland, with Alliance calling for the rhetoric against the backstop to be de-escalated and the wider political and economic interests of Northern Ireland understood.
DUP 'Distorting' The Views And Interests Of NI
The DUP have been accused of "distorting" the views and interests of Northern Ireland, with Alliance calling for the rhetoric against the backstop to be de-escalated and the wider political and economic interests of Northern Ireland understood.
04 January 2019
DUP Slams 'Nonsense Propaganda' About Irish Hard Border
The deputy leader of the DUP, Nigel Dodds, has met with Prime Minister Theresa May to reiterate his party's opposition to the EU Withdrawal Agreement, and hit out at the "nonsense propaganda" surrounding the possibility of a hard border.
DUP Slams 'Nonsense Propaganda' About Irish Hard Border
The deputy leader of the DUP, Nigel Dodds, has met with Prime Minister Theresa May to reiterate his party's opposition to the EU Withdrawal Agreement, and hit out at the "nonsense propaganda" surrounding the possibility of a hard border.
22 August 2019
MLAs Pen Letter Supporting Brexit Backstop
A cohort of assembly members have penned a letter to European Council President Donald Tusk expressing their support for the Brexit backstop. 49 pro-remain MLAs, including leaders of the SDLP, Sinn Fein, Alliance and Green parties, signed the letter supporting the controversial backstop, as contained in the withdrawal agreement.
MLAs Pen Letter Supporting Brexit Backstop
A cohort of assembly members have penned a letter to European Council President Donald Tusk expressing their support for the Brexit backstop. 49 pro-remain MLAs, including leaders of the SDLP, Sinn Fein, Alliance and Green parties, signed the letter supporting the controversial backstop, as contained in the withdrawal agreement.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
