The DUP and the NI protocol

Sir, – I refer to my diplomatic colleague and friend Bobby McDonagh’s article “The DUP deserves a break over its Northern Ireland protocol stance” (Opinion & Analysis, August 5th). He says he understands and respects “where (DUP leader) Donaldson is coming from”, but I have to say he does not tackle the obvious questions.

First, one cannot ignore the DUP’s role in overthrowing Theresa May, whose Brexit solution would have avoided the present mess. Second, further back, the DUP refused to participate in the Belfast Agreement negotiations of 1997-8, bitterly opposed the agreement for many years, then worked it when it could be top dog, but now claims the Belfast Agreement is in peril and is refusing to operate it in refusing to allow the Stormont Assembly to meet, let alone form an Executive. Third, the issue of consent in the Belfast Agreement, and previously the Anglo-Irish Agreement and indeed Britain’s own legislation going back to the Government of Ireland Act 1920, concerns the constitutional status of Northern Ireland. Until there is majority consent shown for a constitutional change, there will be none. The NI protocol has no effect on that matter.

Fourth, what is true is that since 1921 unionist control of Northern Ireland has been steadily eroding, due to demographic and other societal changes. At present, Sinn Féin is entitled to claim for the first time the First Minister post, if the elected Assembly is ever allowed to meet and work. In the first NI elections of 1921 by contrast unionist parties won 40 seats whereas nationalist parties won just 12.

Fifth, the ground then has shifted in a century and the DUP sees the trade issues in the protocol as a further erosion of the unionist position rather than an opportunity, as it initially did under Arlene Foster. That one can understand but the DUP must deal with reality, as the late David Trimble did.

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Sixth, I do believe those closely involved in Brussels and Dublin knew perfectly well that once Brexit got done and he won a majority Boris Johnson would renege and seek to renegotiate. He did so immediately, claiming via his negotiator David Frost that he had agreed only “under duress”.

In the South, we must be sensitive to DUP concerns but not get entrapped by them. The UUP can accept the protocol provided there are changes in implementation. Alliance is favourable. Business mostly so. Changes can happen within the framework of the protocol itself as the EU has repeatedly and specifically offered. Boris Johnson has refused, insisting that there must be renegotiation. His immediate successors might see more sense in time, if unlikely right now. – Yours, etc,

DECLAN O’DONOVAN ,

(Former ambassador,

former joint-secretary,

Anglo-Irish Secretariat,

Belfast),

Dalkey,

Co Dublin.