Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) in Northern Ireland have voted in favour of extending post-Brexit trading arrangements in the region for another four years.
Under the terms of the 2020 Withdrawal Agreement between the UK and EU, Northern Irish politicians are given a say on trade rules in the region through a ‘democratic consent motion’.
Framework vote
Since the UK’s departure from the EU, customs checks and documentary requirements have been applied to goods moving from Great Britain into Northern Ireland. These rules have been introduced to avoid the need for a hard border on the island of Ireland.
The requirements originally came in under the Northern Ireland Protocol, which was superseded by the Windsor Framework in 2023.
The vote considered articles 5 to 10 of the framework, centring on goods movements, VAT and excise, customs, subsidies and the single electricity market.
Consent given
Despite years of debate among Northern Irish, British and European politicians about trade rules in the region, MLAs were expected to vote in favour of the motion, due to the current make-up of the legislature.
A ‘simple majority’ voted in favour, meaning the arrangements will be maintained for another four years. There were 43 votes for the motion versus 36 against, reflecting “long-held divisions on Brexit”, according to the Guardian.
Had the motion received cross-community backing – meaning both a majority of unionists and a majority of nationalists voting in favour – it would have been extended for another four years.
Independent review
The Northern Ireland secretary in Westminster, Hilary Benn, confirmed that an independent review into the arrangements will be commissioned – a legal requirement due to only a simple majority backing the motion.
“The government remains committed to implementing the Windsor Framework in good faith and protecting the UK internal market in a way that offers stability and works for Northern Ireland, for businesses, and for traders,” he said.
Those in favour
Alliance leader Naomi Long confirmed in advance of the debate that her party would vote in favour of retaining the framework.
"The Windsor Framework remains the only viable option to help Northern Ireland navigate the chaos brought about by Brexit," she told the BBC.
Sinn Fein MLA Philip McGuigan said during the debate, according to PA Media:
“In the short term the certainty and stability in the relationship with the EU that the Protocol and Windsor Framework offer are vital and must be endorsed by the majority in this chamber today.
“Today’s vote and the continuation of the protocol protections are vitally important.”
Those against
The DUP has long argued against the protocol and framework, with its leader Gavin Robinson declaring it would vote against the motion in advance.
During the debate, DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley said:
“Be under no illusion, today’s debate, today’s vote, is an illusion of democracy. A rigged vote in which the EU already know the outcome.”
Deputy first minister Emma Little-Pengelly said her party would “continue to fight to fully restore Northern Ireland’s place within the UK”.
