Windsor Framework

Subject: International Relations

Section: Groupings

Concept:

The United Kingdom and the European Commission have announced a new deal known as the “Windsor Framework” to repair post-Brexit difficulties in Northern Ireland.
It will also pave the way for improved cooperation between London and Brussels.
The “Windsor Framework” intends to address the trade disruptions between Northern Ireland and the rest of the U.K. that were caused by the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Northern Ireland Protocol:

The Northern Ireland Protocol was agreed upon as a part of Brexit.
According to the protocol, Northern Ireland would remain a part of the European Union’s (EU) single market for goods and operate under EU customs rules.
The protocol was implemented by creating a customs border between Northern Ireland and the U.K.
Despite hammering out the protocol in 2019, it raised concerns among some Unionists.
The Windsor Framework will replace the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Windsor Framework:

The deal will protect the flow of free trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland by creating green and red lanes for goods flowing into Northern Ireland.
- Goods that might end up entering the Republic of Ireland will be placed in the red lane for checks before entering Northern Ireland.
- Goods destined to remain in Northern Ireland will flow freely.
Through the deal the UK and the EU have managed to protect “Northern Ireland’s place in the union” by allowing the UK government to determine VAT rates applicable in Northern Ireland, as opposed to the current system where the rates are determined by the EU.
- This would allow recent policies, such as the reform to lower the price of pints in British pubs, to now apply in Northern Ireland.
A new “Stormont brake” that would allow Northern Ireland’s devolved government to pull an “emergency brake” on any new EU laws from being imposed on the province.
- This will establish a clear process through which the democratically elected assembly can pull an emergency brake for changes to EU goods, rules that would have significant and lasting effect on everyday lives.
- If the brake is pulled by the Northern Irish government, the Westminster government will be given a veto over the law.