PLATFORM
Steven Agnew MLA
Green Party leader
While Brexit is complicated the options we have at this stage are relatively simple; remaining in the EU after a successful People’s Vote, leave the EU with a deal, or crash out of the EU with no deal.
The Green Party campaigned to remain and nothing since the referendum has convinced us that leaving the EU is in the best interests of our economy, our people, or our environment. Which is why the first choice for the Green Party is to remain in the EU, after a successful People’s Vote.
Some would argue that leaving with no deal would be so impractical that it should not be considered an option. The Green Party believes that the alternative to remaining then should be the best possible deal. This is a practical, responsible way to proceed because while the Green Party will campaign vigorously for remain and believe that that is achievable, we must accept the possibility that England in particular may still vote to leave.
There has been a lot of nonsense talked about the draft agreement between the UK government and the EU, not least by the DUP.
The draft withdrawal arrangement protects the Good Friday Agreement, including the principle of consent. The constitutional status of Northern Ireland is settled for now.
The DUP are arguing about symbolism rather than practicalities. Yes if Brexit is implemented be some differences between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. They are in relation to trade and ensuring that our businesses are protected. Which is why the business community and the Ulster Farmers Union have come out in support of the draft Brexit deal.
What the DUP are opposed to are not the practical realities for business post Brexit, but the symbolism of what such differences between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. This is simply flag waving in another guise. It is the worst possible form of identity politics as it puts at risk all our futures by making crashing out without a deal ever more likely.
Credible, independent institutions like the IMF, OECD, Bank of England, Institute of Fiscal Studies warned that Brexit will harm the economy across the U.K. A no-deal scenario or hard landing out of the European Union would exacerbate the damage.
The DUP backed Brexit without any idea of how it would be implemented, especially in relation to the Irish border. Now they are opposing the draft withdrawal agreement, without any proposal of what should be in its place. Their original commitment with no hard border on the island of island seems to have been cast aside in favour of protecting the idea of ‘the union’ at all costs; economic social and environmental.
The draft agreement is the least harmful deal, but be in no doubt, it is still harmful. Nothing good comes from this, it merely avoids the most damaging of outcomes. However, just as the principle of consent applies to Northern Ireland’s status within the union of the United Kingdom, the principle of consent must apply to the UK’s status within the European Union.
There is much speculation as to whether Theresa May can get ‘her’ deal through the Commons. But it is the wrong question. Theresa May did not call for Brexit, the people did. Now that we know what Brexit means, it must be the people who decide whether this deal is worth leaving the EU for.
That's why a People's Vote is a logical and democratic proposal.
