‘Trigger Article 16’ petition on verge of 100k target

An online petition calling on the UK Government to trigger the Article 16 Brexit agreement clause has almost reached the target 100,000 signatures.
By Mark Rainey
Published 5th Feb 2021, 13:53 BST
Updated 5th Feb 2021, 14:11 BST
The 'trigger Article 16' petitionThe 'trigger Article 16' petition
The 'trigger Article 16' petition

Launched by DUP leader Arlene Foster on Thursday, the petition will ensure that the request for government action is considered for debate in the House of Commons if the 100k target is reached within six months.

By Friday afternoon it appeared that more than 100,000 people will have added their names in just over 24 hours.

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If triggered by the UK Government, Article 16 will remove many of the barriers to free trade that have been implemented by the Northern Ireland Protocol agreed between the UK and the European Union.

The Protocol is part of the Withdrawal Agreement negotiated and designed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The Withdrawal Agreement was the framework that allowed the United Kingdom to exit the European Union on January 31, 2020.

A transition period ran from January 31, 2020 to December 31, 2020 when the UK left the EU with a free trade agreement.

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Ulster Unionist leader Steve Aiken has urged “everyone in Northern Ireland and beyond” to sign the petition.

He said: “The petition calling for unfettered between Great Britain and Northern Ireland has been live for over a day and I would encourage everyone in Northern Ireland and beyond to sign it.

“For everyone in Northern Ireland who is experiencing delays, can’t get goods or agricultural products delivered, who don`t want their pets to have to be vaccinated for non-existent diseases, as well as those of us who believe that the Northern Ireland Protocol is fundamentally and irrevocably flawed – I urge you to sign.

“I would also ask all those across the United Kingdom who believe in the Union to sign this petition as well.”

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Mr Aiken added: “It`s clear that the Northern Ireland Protocol isn`t working and we need alternatives. This week the Ulster Unionist Party published our own proposals and I would ask everyone to read them. We need to find a solution.

“We have a plan, so let`s work on it. If others have proposals, then publish them.”

READ: Nigel Farrage and 35,000 others sign Trigger Article 16 petition

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Related topics:Steve AikenNorthern IrelandGovernmentArlene FosterProtocolBrexitBoris JohnsonHouse of CommonsDUPEuropean Union