Windsor Framework
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The Windsor Framework is a proposed post-Brexit legal agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom which was announced on 27 February 2023. It is designed to address the problem of the movement of goods between the European Single Market and the United Kingdom in the current Northern Ireland Protocol.
Overview
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Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
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The agreement was named after the meeting of the UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, at the Fairmont hotel at Windsor Great Park.[1] After meeting the PM and announcing the deal at the Windsor Guildhall, von der Leyen then had tea with King Charles III in Windsor Castle.[2]
The proposed agreement was reached in accordance with Articles 16 and 17 of the protocol and does not formally need parliamentary approval.[3] However, the Prime Minister has promised that MPs shall have an opportunity to vote on it.[4] Its adoption will likely halt the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill and the infringement procedures by the European Commission brought against the UK in relation to the bill.[5]
On the EU side, the agreement will have to pass with a qualified majority in the Council of the European Union. Some parts of the agreement will have to obtain the consent of the European Parliament.[6][7]
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Contents of the agreement
The proposed agreement relates to goods crossing the Irish Sea from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.[8] It would introduce green and red lanes to reduce checks and paperwork on goods that are destined for Northern Ireland, and separate them from goods at risk of moving into the EU Common Market.[9] It also includes a number of agreements on medicine control, VAT and alcohol duty.[9]
Stormont brake
The framework introduces a mechanism called the "Stormont brake", which would allow the Northern Ireland Assembly to temporarily stop any changes to EU goods regulations from applying in Northern Ireland if the Assembly feared that the changes would have a "significant and lasting effects on everyday lives".[10]
According to the agreement, the Northern Ireland Assembly can trigger the brake on any new "significantly different" rule implemented if 30 Members of the Legislative Assembly from two or more parties object, giving way to a 14-day consultation period before reference to the UK Government for consideration.[9] Cross-community consent (support from both unionists and nationalists) is not required. However, "the government says a decision on whether to permanently block an EU rule, once suspended and following discussion in the Joint Committee, would not happen 'in the absence of a cross-community vote'".[11]
Reactions
Ireland
An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar welcomed the agreement and said: "The Irish Government will do all we can to make these new arrangements work in the interest of people and enterprises in Northern Ireland, here in the Republic of Ireland while protecting the European Single Market and the Common Travel Area between Ireland and the United Kingdom and the Good Friday Agreement."[12] Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald indicated her support for the agreement.[10]
Northern Ireland
Democratic Unionist Party leader Jeffrey Donaldson's initial reaction to the agreement was one in which he said progress was made in several areas with several obstacles outstanding, adding that the framework would have to hold up to the party's seven tests on a suitable replacement to the Northern Ireland Protocol. Sammy Wilson expressed scepticism toward the Stormont brake, saying that "[DUP MPs] still fear our position in the United Kingdom is not going to be restored".[13]
Alliance Party deputy leader Stephen Farry and Social Democratic and Labour Party leader Colum Eastwood both expressed concerns about the Stormont Brake and the need for dual access to the UK and European markets.[13][14]
International
US President Joe Biden called the framework an "essential step to ensuring that the hard-earned peace and progress of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement is preserved and strengthened".[15]
See also
- Brexit withdrawal agreement
- Petition of concern – To require cross-community consent
References
- ^ Ng, Ellie (27 February 2023), "Fairmont Windsor Park hotel delighted to be part of 'historic occasion'", Evening Standard, retrieved 28 February 2023
- ^ Elgot, Jessica (27 February 2023), "How No 10 sweetened up the EU president with a royal cup of tea", The Guardian, ISSN 0261-3077, retrieved 28 February 2023
- ^ Webber, Jude; Wright, Robert; Pickard, Jim (28 February 2023). "Rishi Sunak threatens to push through Brexit deal on Northern Ireland without DUP". Retrieved 2 March 2023.
The deal was reached under provisions set out by the protocol for the amendment of its rules, and does not technically require ratification
- ^ "Rishi Sunak promises MPs vote on 'Windsor Framework' Brexit deal". Independent. 27 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- ^ "Brexit: UK and EU leaders hail 'extraordinary' deal on Northern Ireland protocol – live". The Guardian. 27 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- ^ Pronczuk, Monika (27 February 2023). "Britain and E.U. Agree on Northern Ireland Trade Deal". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
On the E.U. side, the deal has to be green lighted by the super majority of member nations, E.U. officials said, with the decision expected in the next couple of weeks. Some parts of the agreement have to be approved both by member nations and the European Parliament, a process that could take several months.
- ^ O'Leary, Naomi (27 February 2023). "Windsor Framework: What are the main points of the new UK-EU deal?". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
Some will need the agreement of the 27 EU member states, which would take a few weeks, while others would need to go to the European Parliament, something that could take months.
- ^ Culbertson, Alix (27 February 2023). "Rishi Sunak promises 'beginning of a new chapter' as he unveils 'Windsor Framework' deal on Brexit". Sky News. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- ^ a b c "Northern Ireland Brexit deal: At-a-glance". BBC News. 27 February 2023. Archived from the original on 27 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- ^ a b Sparrow, Andrew (27 February 2023). "What is the Stormont brake and will it help restore power sharing in Northern Ireland?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- ^ McCormack, Jayne (28 February 2023). "Brexit: What is the Stormont brake?". BBC News. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ "Taoiseach welcomes positive outcome in Protocol talks". RTÉ. 27 February 2023. Archived from the original on 27 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- ^ a b Scott, Jennifer (27 February 2023). "The Windsor Framework: How have MPs reacted to the new post-Brexit Northern Ireland deal?". Sky News. Archived from the original on 27 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- ^ "DUP 'ready to engage' in any required re-working of Windsor Framework". ITV News. 27 February 2023. Archived from the original on 27 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- ^ Biden, Joe (27 February 2023). "Statement from President Joe Biden on the Windsor Framework". White House. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
External links
- Official website
- "Windsor Framework unveiled to fix problems of the Northern Ireland Protocol" (Press release). United Kingdom Prime Minister's Office. 27 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- "A new way forward on the Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland: political agreement in principle on the Windsor Framework" (Press release). European Commission. 27 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
The new arrangements are not compatible with the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill. (...) there will no longer be grounds for the existing Commission legal proceedings against the United Kingdom relating to the Protocol on Ireland / Northern Ireland.
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