The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has announced it will vote against the government in this week's first parliamentary vote on the Windsor framework, the new post-Brexit deal for Northern Ireland. Party leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson confirmed the unanimous decision after a meeting on Monday, stating that the deal fails to address fundamental problems with the Northern Ireland protocol.
Donaldson said the framework requires 'further clarification, reworking and change' and noted that the proposed 'Stormont brake' does not apply to existing EU law, which he described as a key issue. While the DUP stopped short of an outright rejection, the decision is expected to embolden Conservative Brexit hardliners in the European Research Group to also vote against the government.
The vote on the statutory instrument to implement the Stormont brake is seen as a proxy for MPs to express their views on the entire deal. Labour's support ensures the motion will pass, but the DUP's stance casts doubt on the revival of power-sharing institutions in Northern Ireland ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday agreement.
Donaldson indicated the party would continue to work with the government on outstanding issues, but his comments have dampened hopes for restoring the Stormont assembly and executive, which have been paralysed by the DUP's boycott since last year.
