What The Brexit Deal Vote Means For Northern Ireland

The devolved government is unlikely to be restored, with all the implications that has for stability, writes Sean O’Grady

- Sean O’Grady

Were it not for the out-of-season pantomime performance by Boris Johnson at the Commons committee of privileges, the main focus of parliamentary and political attention would have been on the vote on the Windsor Framework. Arguably, it was the moment when Brexit finally "got done", and it was always expected to pass with Labour support; but it was also a moment that reminded us that, within the Conservative Party, the debate Europe is still not over.

What was the vote about?

More than we thought it would be. Until this week, it was assumed that this vote would only be on a statutory instrument to implement the "Stormont brake", a partial and conditional veto power on EU law for the devolved administration in Belfast.

A vote on the overall Windsor Framework was expected later; new legislation will be required to implement some of the framework, such as an amendment to the Northern Ireland Act 1998 to implement the brake.

However, the vote became a means to demonstrate political support for, or opposition to, the overall agreement.

Does it matter?

Yes and no. The Windsor Framework will be enacted with crossparty support, but the rebellion led by the European Research Group (ERG) in alliance with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) of Northern Ireland reminded us that Rishi Sunak's authority is not complete, and that his party's civil war over Europe is far from over.