SHAILESH Vara may only be a matter of weeks into his tenure as Secretary of State, but recent comments will do little to inspire confidence that he will take an even-handed approach to the key issue of the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Interviewed by UTV during a visit to Derry last week, the Conservative MP claimed that "everyone I have spoken to says the protocol is not working", before adding: “I have spoken to many people, and almost all of them recognise that the protocol is not working."
The statement was immediately challenged by both business and political representatives.
Stephen Kelly of Manufacturing NI said he had made clear to Mr Vara last month “how the protocol is working very well for many sectors, as evidenced in the growth in jobs, exports and company accounts”.
There are of course difficulties for some businesses and a need to streamline some processes. However, broad support has also been reflected in opinion polls and in the recent assembly election, which returned a clear majority of pro-protocol MLAs.
A majority of assembly members have also firmly stated their opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, which would give ministers the power to rip up parts of the international treaty.
While no-one is arguing that the protocol is the perfect solution to the unwanted consequences of EU withdrawal, it offers important protections to the north from the worst impacts of a hard Brexit.
A group of more than a dozen trade bodies also warns today that the protocol legislation risks harming the strong performance of exporters and creating "a myriad of reputational, legal and commercial risks for many of our businesses”.
The Northern Ireland Brexit Working Group also calls for more flexibility from the EU and for both sides to redouble efforts to resolve their differences, as the region faces into a hugely difficult winter.
While Mr Vara insisted last week that his government's preference is a negotiated settlement, it is clear that Boris Johnson signed the protocol in bad faith, for short-term electoral gain, and has since engaged in a sham fight with Brussels to distract attention from wider failings.
The Brexit working group says it believes that with a renewed commitment to compromise, a balance between upholding access to British markets and protecting the EU single market is achievable. Mr Vara should listen closely to all voices as the government takes its crucial next steps.
