Category: Ireland
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How a Labour government would deal with Northern Ireland
With a Labour government looking increasingly likely after last week’s ‘fiscal event’, the policy announcements at this week’s party conference have taken on a new significance. Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Kyle didn’t disappoint in that respect, stating that he would set out the criteria for a referendum on Irish Unity if Labour were to…
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Northern Ireland census shows Catholics out-number Protestants for the first time
The Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency has today released the results of the 2021 census. As widely anticipated, it shows for the first time that Northern Ireland has more Catholics (45.7%) than Protestants (43.48%) (See update below). This is inevitably a historic moment given that Northern Ireland was founded on the basis of a…
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New Foreign Office Advisor called for trade border between Ireland and the EU
When Liz Truss’s press secretary was asked for a list of the new Prime Minister’s advisors earlier this month, journalists were told that ‘you can refer to the Guido Fawkes website.’ So we must take take Guido as authoritative when it reports tonight that ‘Victoria Hewson is leaving the IEA to join the Foreign Office…
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Troubles legacy bill criticised at London trauma event
The Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill came under strong criticism last night from a range of voices at a West London event on dealing with trauma from the conflict. Former Irish army officer, Senator Tom Clonan, described the legislation, which received its second reading this week as ‘an act of collective self-harm.’ Among…
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Breakthrough on Ireland’s Brexit border
Negotiators for the UK and the EU have today reached agreement on the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement in relation to Northern Ireland. As part of the deal, the UK will withdraw planned legislation that would have over-ridden international law.
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Hardline security bills pose dilemma for Labour
Several bills going through the House of Commons at the moment demonstrate the Johnson's Government's commitment to the hard edge of state power, in both its overt and covert forms. While this legislation raises significant human rights concerns, Labour has been cautious in challenging the Government so far. This may reflect Keir Starmer's strategy of…
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Internal market bill lives up to its billing
Reports that the UK Internal Market Bill would tear up the EU withdrawal agreement have been causing political ructions all week. Today, the full text of the bill was published, and it looks very much as advertised. Section 45 of the bill states that ministerial regulations apply "notwithstanding any relevant international or domestic law with…
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Government legal head quits over threat to Northern Ireland protocol – FT
The FT’s Sebastian Payne is reporting that the head of the UK Government’s Legal Department, Sir Jonathan Jones, has resigned over attempts to undermine the UK’s obligations under the EU withdrawal agreement.
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UK Government points tactical nuke at the Irish border
Today’s Financial Times reports that the British Government is planning legislation to over-ride parts of the Withdrawal Agreement with the European Union, threatening the protocol that ensures there will be no hard border on the island of Ireland.
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Finucane family welcomes Council of Europe decision
The Irish Government and the family of murdered solicitor Pat Finucane have welcomed a decision by the Council of Europe, calling on the British government to fulfil its human rights obligations in relation to the 1989 killing. The Council has also expressed concern about the British Government's proposals to deal with the legacy…