Real danger we will become colony of EU

WITH recent focus on the Boris Johnson Brexit deal and the gleeful revelation by Sinn Fein representatives that the British Government aims to strengthen border controls at Northern Ireland ports, we should all be aware that the situation is fluid and all efforts should now be focused on shaping the outcome of how the Irish protocol is implemented.

At the worst we could see the EU interpretation of a “full-fat” customs and regulatory border down the Irish Sea, effectively treating it as its own external border.

However, I do believe the Conservative and Unionist Party, and indeed the Prime Minister, were forced into a cul-de-sac by our previous, hung Parliament.

At best I believe we can mitigate against most of it and insist on some form of representation. The danger now is that Northern Ireland becomes an EU colony; a rule-taker with no say.

There must be some form of elected democratic representation for Northern Ireland voters in drafting EU regulations if we are to be subject to them.

Unionist politicians must now also emphasise that the EU interpretation of the Irish protocol runs counter to the British Isles context of the Good Friday Agreement, clauses of the Act of Union and also recent amendments to the Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Act.

ALAN DAY Coagh, Co Tyrone

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