London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Tuesday, Jun 16, 2026

Brexit: DUP will vote against Windsor Framework plans

Brexit: DUP will vote against Windsor Framework plans

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) will vote against the government's Windsor Framework Brexit plans in Parliament this week.

Its leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said he would continue to work with the government on "outstanding issues".

But Downing Street has said there are no plans for substantial change to the deal.

MPs will be given a chance to vote on the so-called "Stormont Brake" aspect of the Windsor Framework on Wednesday.

Sir Jeffrey said the party had made the decision to vote against it during a meeting on Monday.

The framework builds on the Northern Ireland Protocol, which led to disagreements between the UK and European Union (EU) over trade rules.

The Stormont Brake mechanism aims to give the Northern Ireland assembly a greater say on how EU laws apply to NI.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said it was proof that the UK has "taken back control" in the agreement he struck with the EU last month.

His spokesperson said it was "the best deal for the people and businesses of Northern Ireland" and that the PM remained "confident it will be backed by the house" .

But Sir Jeffery said the DUP had "unanimously agreed" to vote against it because of "ongoing concerns".

He told BBC News NI the party would continue to assess the deal, but that "we don't believe that this represents the significant progress that we need to see in order to have the institutions restored at this point".

"There remain for us concerns, for example, and the Stormont Brake deals with the application of EU law in Northern Ireland, but it doesn't address how are we dealing with change to UK law, which could impact on NI's ability to trade within the United Kingdom itself."

He said he wanted to ensure "what the prime minister is claiming is translated into law".

"Our seven tests have not yet been met. Sufficient progress has not yet been made. I am determined to continue engaging with the government and to get this right," he added.

But Sinn Féin's Deirdre Hargey said the deal had already been done and called on the DUP to return to Stormont.

"If the DUP have concerns they have a right to raise them, but that shouldn't get in the way of the formation of an executive," she said.

The Windsor Framework was announced by Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last month


Sir Jeffrey said the party was committed to the restoration of the political institutions "under the right circumstances".

"We're looking to the government to ensure that there is further legislation that will protect Northern Ireland's place within the United Kingdom and its internal market," he added.

The DUP has blocked the functioning of the power-sharing government at Stormont for more than a year in protest at the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The protocol led to new checks being carried out on goods at Northern Ireland ports in order to maintain an open land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which is in the EU.

A majority of members of the Northern Ireland Assembly elected in May 2022 were in favour of the protocol, in some form, remaining.

Sinn Féin, Alliance and the SDLP have said improvements are needed to ease its implementation.

Unionist politicians want it replaced with new arrangements.


Applying the brake


The Windsor Framework was signed to alter the Northern Ireland Protocol - and aims to significantly reduce the number of checks on any goods arriving in Northern Ireland from Great Britain.

The Stormont Brake mechanism would also allow the Northern Ireland Assembly to object to new EU rules.

Thirty assembly members, from two or more parties, can pause new EU legislation applying in NI.

This could happen in instances were a new EU law would have a "significant impact specific to everyday life".

Once triggered by the 30 assembly members the new rule would be suspended from applying.

This begins a process of negotiation with London and, ultimately, with Brussels.

At that point the government can veto the rule at the UK-EU Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee and have it permanently disapplied.

That veto power must be used unless there is cross-community support for the rule, if it would apply to a new regulatory border between Great Britain and the Northern Ireland, or in "other exceptional circumstances", although it is not known what constitutes an exceptional circumstance.

The government said the brake can only be used by a fully-functioning devolved government at Stormont.

James Cleverly and Maros Sefcovic, pictured here in Brussels in February, will meet later this week


Meanwhile, the EU-UK body which oversees the NI Brexit deal is due to meet on Friday to formally ratify the legal changes brought about by the Windsor Framework.

The Joint Committee is co-chaired by UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic.

The committee is important because it is empowered to amend the Withdrawal Agreement, which contains the NI Protocol in its original form.

The body last met in February last year.

Ministers from EU member states are also due to discuss the Windsor Framework in Brussels on Tuesday.

It is on the agenda of the General Affairs Council, the monthly meeting of foreign ministers or ministers responsible for European affairs.

They will approve the changes to the NI protocol brought about by the framework, ahead of the Joint Committee meeting.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK Supreme Court Revises Legal Definition of Deprivation of Liberty
King’s Birthday Honours Recognise Contributions Across Science, Culture and Public Service
UK Ministry of Defence Reports Interdiction of Russian Shadow Fleet Vessel
UK and US Launch Joint Regulatory Programme for Medicines and Healthcare Products
Solicitor General Refers Murder Sentence to Court of Appeal Under Unduly Lenient Scheme
UK Launches £1.6 Million Mobile Museum Initiative to Expand Cultural Access
Judicial Pay Structure Undergoes Government Review Following Senior Recommendations
Government Confirms Nearly 180 New Youth Hubs Across the United Kingdom
UK Government Expands Careers Support Through Partnership with LinkedIn
Digital News Report Highlights Growing Global Concern Over AI and Information Overload
UK Chancellor Reaffirms Fiscal Discipline and Borrowing Reduction Strategy
UK Government Invests £219 Million in Sustainable Aviation Fuel Development
Rolls-Royce Small Modular Reactors Secures Major Swedish Export Contract
Government Confirms Locations for Nearly 180 Youth Hubs Across Great Britain
UK Government Partners with LinkedIn to Expand Employment Support Services
Reuters Institute Report Flags Rising Public Anxiety Over News and Information Overload
UK Government Commits £219 Million to Expand Sustainable Aviation Fuel Industry
Chancellor Convenes Market Engagement Group to Assess UK Economic Outlook and Productivity Risks
Rolls-Royce Wins Multibillion-Pound Swedish Contract for Small Modular Nuclear Reactors
Government to Ban Social Media Access for Under-Sixteens Across the United Kingdom
Government Approves Fast-Tracked Broadcast Merger Reshaping UK's Media Landscape
Resignation of Defence Secretary John Healey Triggers Debate Over UK Military Strategy
Britain Intensifies Diplomatic Efforts to Support US-Iran Ceasefire
Bank of England Faces Tough Interest Rate Choices After Economic Contraction
Belfast Sees Second Day of Anti-Migrant Riots as Police Deploy Water Cannons
UK Economy Shrinks in April as Energy Price Shocks Weigh on Growth
UK to Ban Social Media Access for Children Under 16 From 2027
UK Parliament Opens Week of Fast-Tracked Security and Infrastructure Legislation
Northern Ireland Projects £21 Million Boost From Major Cultural and Sporting Events
UK and Japan Sign Technology Security Pact to Strengthen AI and Supply Chain Cooperation
UK Welcomes US-Iran Peace Breakthrough Aimed at Restoring Strait of Hormuz Shipping
British Forces Intercept Russian Shadow Fleet Oil Tanker in English Channel Sanctions Operation
UK to Ban Social Media for Under-16s Under Landmark Online Safety Expansion
Anti-Immigrant Riots Spread Across Belfast, Raising Security Concerns
Ministry of Defence Opens Europe's Largest Drone Testing Facility in Swindon
Kemi Badenoch Calls for Deregulation to Restore City's Global Competitiveness
UK Housing Market Posts Sharpest June Price Decline in Fourteen Years
NHS Waiting Lists Rise to 7.22 Million as Diagnostic Delays Reach New Highs
Makerfield By-Election Raises Prospect of Labour Leadership Challenge
Bank of England Expected to Hold Interest Rates at 3.75% Despite Growing Policy Divisions
Royal Marines Seize Sanctioned Russian Oil Tanker in English Channel
Prime Minister Keir Starmer Set to Ban Social Media and AI Chatbots for Under-16s
United Kingdom Markets Rally After US-Iran Deal Reopens Strait of Hormuz
Defence Secretary John Healey Resigns Over Military Spending Dispute, Triggering Cabinet Crisis
Royal Navy Takes Part in Trooping the Colour for the First Time in 350 Years
Think Tank Warns Labour's European Union Reset Could Carry Significant Economic Costs
UK Semiconductor Centre and Japan's Rapidus Forge Advanced Chip Manufacturing Partnership
UK and Japan Launch Offshore Wind Compact Backed by £9 Billion in Investment
Starmer and Trump Discuss Iran Peace Efforts and Reopening of the Strait of Hormuz
United Kingdom and Japan Sign £18 Billion Investment Partnership Focused on Clean Energy and Advanced Technology
×