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ParcelHero welcomes Stormont Brake vote

[ March 24, 2023   //   ]

Logistics specialist ParcelHero has welcomed MPs’ vote to support the ‘Stormont brake’ section of the Windsor Framework. It called on politicians on all sides tonow unite to ensure trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland is not subjected to red tape and checks.
Westminster MPs have voted by 515 to 29 in favour of the ‘Stormont brake’ to give give the Northern Ireland Assembly a greater say on any new EU law on goods, with the power to impose a brake on their implementation.
ParcelHero’s head of consumer research, David Jinks explained: “ParcelHero was very concerned about many aspects of the original Northern Ireland Protocol deal. The Windsor Framework is a good compromise that will end most checks and red tape by introducing a new green ‘express’ lane for British goods staying in Northern Ireland.
“Now that the Northern Ireland Assembly can have a say in changes to EU goods laws that may impact on its businesses and economy, the way should be clear for agreement on the entire Framework deal. It has already been backed by all 27 member states during a meeting of EU ministers on Tuesday.
“Obviously, the “Stormont brake” does not completely remove the authority of the European Union over Northern Ireland, which has become a de-facto honorary member of the EU’s Single Market but, at least, it is now one that is assured a voice. Everyone must hold their nose and swallow the deal as the best option available. We agree with the former Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Dame Andrea Leadsom, who said during the debate: ‘Let’s not make the perfect the enemy of the good’.
‘Hopefully, Unionists will now get behind the rest of the agreement, which means that Northern Ireland’s rules and taxes on goods and alcohol will continue to match those of the rest of the UK, and that access to UK medicines will be guaranteed. The new “Stormont brake” will give the Northern Ireland Government the opportunity to put the emergency brakes on any new EU goods rules it disagrees with.”

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