Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

After the Windsor Framework, the DUP boycott of Stormont is pointless as well as damaging

Editorial: However long it takes for them to say ‘yes’ or even ‘yes, but’ will be time well spent

Thursday 02 March 2023 12:16 GMT
Comments
The DUP are heading towards electoral oblivion
The DUP are heading towards electoral oblivion (PA)

Given the long and unhappy history of Northern Ireland, it should not trouble anyone that the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), long wary of betrayal by British Conservative governments (and with good reason), is taking its time over the Windsor Framework.

They may be encouraged to support it by the rapid – albeit grudging and graceless – support for the deal proffered by Lord Frost and Boris Johnson, the architects of the far inferior Northern Ireland protocol that the framework replaces.

Jacob Rees-Mogg, Liam Fox and Steve Baker, three of the figures the DUP might expect to organise parliamentary resistance within the Conservative Party, have also backed Mr Sunak – Mr Baker emotionally so. The Tory rebellion, which even a week ago looked like it might seriously destabilise Mr Sunak’s leadership, seems to be melting away, dissolved by the sheer power of the concessions he has charmed out of Brussels.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in