In a few weeks time, I will turn 60 and, in my time, I ve played a small part in the history of this place. When I was old enough, I joined the security forces, serving Queen and country. When given the opportunity, I sought elected office and, over several terms, served my local community.
UK trade hit hard as Brexit crisis deepens
The economic dislocation caused by Britain’s exit from the European Union (EU) is making itself felt, threatening serious political consequences for Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservative government and the Brexit agreement.
At the centre of the crisis is Northern Ireland. According to the Northern Ireland Protocol agreed between the UK and the EU, Northern Ireland remains within the EU’s single market for goods, meaning import and export checks must be carried out on goods travelling between Britain and Northern Ireland. This effectively placed a customs border down the Irish Sea, rather than between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland an EU member state which would have compromised the Good Friday Agreement ending the armed conflict in the northern six counties.
Transport and logistics experts attempting to navigate customs changes brought about by Brexit have criticised a support scheme managed under a £200m contract awarded to a consortium led by a multinational IT firm.
A DUP MP has faced criticism from parliamentary counterparts after linking the IRA with Catholicism.
Ian Paisley’s reference to the sectarian murder campaign by the “Catholic IRA” drew critical responses from fellow members of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee.
Mr Paisley was questioning Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis on legacy issues and was asking him if he was going to push the Irish Government to do more to secure justice for IRA killings in border areas during the Troubles.
“Today is Holocaust Memorial Day where we remember victims of Holocaust and also other genocide around the world and in Northern Ireland of course we remember the border campaign and the genocide of sectarian murder where the IRA, the Catholic IRA, murdered Protestants at the border,” said North Antrim MP Mr Paisley.