Unionism hopes of overturning protocol with Stormont vote are 'extremely far fetched'
Christopher Stalford said the assembly vote is one of three ways to abolish the protocol
Professor Jon Tonge
THE author of books on unionism's two biggest parties has described DUP hopes of revoking the Northern Ireland Protocol through an assembly vote as "extremely far fetched".
Professor Jon Tonge of the University of Liverpool said it was difficult to see the unionist bloc making any gains at the next Stormont election, never mind the additional five seats required to win a vote on the Irish Sea border.
The DUP, Ulster Unionists, TUV and independent unionist Claire Sugden currently account for 40 of the assembly's 90 seats. Under the deal struck between the British government and the EU, MLAs will be periodically asked to give consent to the trading arrangements in Articles 5-10 of the Withdrawal Agreement, with the first vote due to take place in December 2024 and every four years thereafter.