The Deal Between the Tories and DUP to Bolster the Union Has Not Been Delivered

The ‘Safeguarding the Union’ document drawn up as part of the Donaldson deal was a genuine attempt to alleviate Unionist concerns at the weakening of the Union as a result of the Protocol. The deal is now over 6 months old and nothing has been delivered. The new Inter-Trade UK body has just been appointed but is yet to meet. Given the suspension of the Articles 5 & 6 of the Acts of Union, this document was supposed to lead to confidence building within Unionism in Northern Ireland and various actions to alleviate the negative effects of the Protocol and Windsor Framework.

Economist Esmond Birnie confirms there has been a large-scale diversion of trade in Northern Ireland from GB to the Republic of Ireland. There are increased inflationary costs imposed on NI through higher costs of imported goods due to extra paperwork and bureaucracy. Business is now being threatened with ever-tightening regulations with the removal of further derogations and dispensations on the implementation of the Protocol in full. The costs of implementation are prohibitive, including for the TSS scheme at £200m per annum, and recent estimates say costs are now running at £750m. In addition, there are the hidden costs of administration by companies and the UK Government and NI Executive implementation bodies, e.g., DAERA and DEFRA. Recent private sector figures show FDI has fallen since 2019 in real terms and relative to the rest of the UK.

Our new collection of Unionist MPs from varying parties have an opportunity with a new government to see some delivery from the ‘Safeguarding the Union’ document, which has some useful proposals as follows:

• Improving A75 road and rail links between the Cairnryan ferry terminals serving Northern Ireland and South West Scotland and links connecting with the M6 and Cumbria, and the A77 towards Glasgow. Linkage also has been proposed with railways North and South under the All-Ireland strategic rail review.
• Boost port connections and infrastructure between NI and GB.
• The creation of a dedicated fund worth £10 million to support infrastructure development, including green growth opportunities, at a small number of strategically important NI ports.
• Prospectus setting out the framework for this Enhanced Investment Zone, in the same way we have for the smaller £80 million zones elsewhere in the United Kingdom.
• Extend Investment Zone benefits to the Stranraer/Cairnryan area in Scotland – recognising this vital Union connectivity route and boosting growth. This will be of interest to our Scottish friends across the North Channel.
• Devolution of Corporation Tax with a commitment to ‘swiftly progress these commitments as part of this deal.’

These are easy wins for Unionism to strengthen the Union, particularly with regards to connectivity, yet we hear very little in follow-up, let alone delivery. It was encouraging to hear recently the Minister for Infrastructure pushing forward on the All-Ireland strategic rail review with possible new railway lines, but disappointing this was not linked into UK connectivity and not followed up by any Unionist MPs.

With our equal rights of parity within the Union diluted through the Protocol, Unionism should be aiming to mitigate the negative effects and should work for delivery on the above. Maintaining the Union is no longer enough as we see a UK Government able to salami slice our rights within the Union to virtual condominium status under joint UK/EU rule. Let’s work together in the UK on strengthening the Union and protecting the other substantive things that bind us to once again be a full integral part of the UK. These connectivity and business promotion policies through infrastructure projects will help make our economy work. In the longer run, this will reduce subvention and regain us lost friends at Westminster through a more positive and constructive contribution to the Union.

Johnny Andrews is the Ex-Vice Chair of NI Conservatives.