New Windsor framework 'extraordinary positive step' for Northern Ireland, says UK premier

Stormont Brake puts democracy, sovereignty back in Northern Ireland where it belongs, says Rishi Sunak

The new Windsor framework deal for trade across the Republic of Ireland-Northern Ireland border marks "a decisive breakthrough,” Britain’s prime minister declared Tuesday, one day after the deal’s announcement. Speaking in Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, Rishi Sunak reiterated the importance of the new deal with the EU, stressing that he believes the Windsor framework is an "extraordinary positive step.” The UK and European Union on Monday struck a new deal on the Northern Ireland Protocol, replacing it with what is called the Windsor framework after persistent disputes over post-Brexit trade arrangements. The free flow of goods across the UK, protecting Northern Ireland's place in the union, and the Stormont Brake mechanism are the three things that have been achieved under the deal, added Sunak on Tuesday. The brake “is a really powerful new mechanism that we've created. It puts democracy and sovereignty back in Northern Ireland where it belongs," Sunak added. Windsor Framework and green lane The new deal reached effectively replaces the old Northern Ireland Protocol. The Stormont Brake – named after the Northern Ireland Assembly, often called Stormont –enables the UK to veto new EU goods laws if they are not backed by both communities in Northern Ireland. According to the British government, a new green lane (the UK internal market scheme) means traders moving goods destined for Northern Ireland will be freed of unnecessary red tape. "All requirements have been scrapped for trade from Northern Ireland to Great Britain on a permanent basis, including the requirement for export declarations," the government said in a statement Monday. Also Monday, Sunak said that the Windsor framework puts beyond all doubt that the UK has "now taken back control." Northern Ireland Protocol and Brexit With border checks on certain goods, the superseded Northern Ireland Protocol had created a de facto trade border between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. The UK left the European Union in 2020 following the 2016 Brexit referendum, ending the country’s four-decade membership in the bloc. The protocol had been a major thorn of contention between the sides.