Speaking in Belfast, Sir Keir Starmer predicted that any Conservative revolt against a deal with the EU might be led by those who negotiated the protocol in the first place.
Sir Keir Starmer urged the Prime Minister to face down Tory Eurosceptics over the Northern Ireland Protocol as he predicted Boris Johnson may lead opposition to a compromise deal with the EU.
In order to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland, it moved customs and food safety checks and process to the Irish Sea, creating economic and administrative barriers on the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. But he predicted the prime minister will face opposition from those within his own ranks who want to see the protocol scrapped altogether.
The UK and EU are keen to see devolution restored before April's landmark 25th anniversary of Northern Ireland's historic Good Friday Agreement. "But I would counsel that the example to follow is not theirs, but the spirit of negotiation, of conciliation, of courage, that in the end is always the force which moves Northern Ireland forward towards the future.Sir Keir added: "So I say to the Prime Minister, if there is a deal to do in coming weeks - do it.
"Northern Ireland can be prosperous under the protocol but it requires leadership from you, Prime Minister."He used his speech in Belfast to deliver a message of reassurance to unionists."There are legitimate problems with the protocol and these must be recognised in any negotiations.
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