Ex MEP Jim Nicholson: The Northern Ireland Protocol is using a sledgehammer to crack a nut

Clearly the response of some unionists to the current situation is to use age old, out of date methods to address the challenges which Northern Ireland faces.
By Jim Nicholson
Published 4th Feb 2021, 18:53 BST
Updated 4th Feb 2021, 18:58 BST
Jim Nicholson, then an Ulster Unionist MEP, speaking in Strasbourg on March 27 2019, one of his last times in the chamber after 30 years in the European ParliamentJim Nicholson, then an Ulster Unionist MEP, speaking in Strasbourg on March 27 2019, one of his last times in the chamber after 30 years in the European Parliament
Jim Nicholson, then an Ulster Unionist MEP, speaking in Strasbourg on March 27 2019, one of his last times in the chamber after 30 years in the European Parliament

They are looking for lundies instead of looking for solutions.

The truth is all this could have been avoided a long time ago but for London, Dublin and the EU imposing a protocol on the people of Northern Ireland which is undemocratic and unacceptable.

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They have made a difficult situation worse. For too long they ignored and were dismissive of the genuine concerns of unionists, who had voted remain and leave, because they were more focused on placating the views of nationalism.

We need to work together across Northern Ireland to find a better solution because it’s in the best interests of everyone to do that.

However the DUP should also be mindful that it was their past actions and decisions that brought Northern Ireland to this point and gave Boris Johnson, in his view, the legitimacy for the UK government to put a border in the Irish Sea.

Northern Ireland cannot afford any more strategic errors which are hugely damaging to the fabric of the United Kingdom.

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I believe that with good will, this disgraceful situation can be sorted. I welcome the late acceptance in London that this is not a mere ‘teething problem’ but rather a real and serious problem for which a solution must be found.

London and Brussels must realise that they have made a bad situation worse with the protocol. Theirs was a bungled negotiation and it is time to pull back from any more talk of rigorous implementation of a protocol which is causing economic and societal problems in Northern Ireland.

They have used a sledgehammer to crack a nut to placate a loud but sizeable minority and that has created the mess which ordinary people are now dealing with on a daily basis.

Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom and will continue to be part of the United Kingdom for the foreseeable future. No actions by anyone should be allowed to diminish our position within the UK. Northern Ireland has come through many trials and tribulations over the decades and the Protocol is the latest that has been placed on the people.

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Let us learn from the mistakes, but with real unity across Northern Ireland we can sort this problem out, to the benefit of us all.

• Jim Nicholson is a former Ulster Unionist MEP

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Related topics:Northern IrelandThe Northern Ireland ProtocolMEPDUPBoris JohnsonLondonIrish Sea