Dear Mr Tusk,
The proposed date of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union, 31 October, is fast approaching.
As leaders of local political parties who represent the cross-community majority who voted to remain in the EU we have grave concerns about the current trajectory toward a no-deal Brexit and the impact this would have on our economy, our border and community cohesion.
An analysis carried out by the Northern Ireland Civil Service has predicted job losses in the region of 40,000 if we’re forced from the EU without a deal. The British government’s own analysis has predicted significant disruption to integrated supply chains across this island rendering cross-border trade in our agri-food sector virtually impossible for many operators. It has also warned that the open border that has underpinned our political settlement would be unsustainable within months.
It is our view that the progress made in developing integrated and enduring relationships on this island, politically, economically and socially, over the last 20 years is far too important to abandon. Particularly at a moment when those relationships are being tested.
With that in mind, and with no functioning Executive or Assembly currently in place in Northern Ireland to give expression to the democratic wishes of people here, we write to you to confirm our support for the backstop contained within the Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration. It is our view that a legally operable guarantee to protect the Good Friday Agreement, maintain north-south co-operation and preserve the all-island economy and to prevent a return to physical infrastructure on our border or physical checks at or near the border is necessary to preserve the progress that we have made.
We trust that the approach adopted by the European Institutions to defend all that we have achieved will continue in the weeks ahead.
Yours,
Colum Eastwood MLA, Leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party
Michelle O’Neill MLA, Assembly Leader and Vice President of Sinn Féin
Naomi Long MEP, Leader of the Alliance Party
Clare Bailey MLA, Leader of the Green Party
Chris Lyttle MLA Máirtín Ó Muilleoir MLA John Dallat MLA
Maire Hendron MLA Órlaithí Flynn MLA Seán Lynch MLA
Gerry Kelly MLA Alex Maskey MLA Jemma Dolan MLA
Nichola Mallon MLA Fra McCann MLA Colm Gildernew MLA
Carál Ní Chuilín MLA Pat Sheehan MLA Mark H Durkan MLA
Paula Bradshaw MLA Stewart Dickson MLA Raymond McCartney MLA
Claire Hanna MLA Caoimhe Archibald MLA Karen Mullan MLA
Pat Catney MLA Conor Murphy MLA Emma Rogan MLA
Trevor Lunn MLA Philip McGuigan MLA Colin McGrath MLA
Linda Dillon MLA Steven Agnew MLA Kellie Armstrong MLA
Emma Sheerin MLA Stephen Farry MLA Dolores Kelly MLA
Patsy McGlone MLA John Blair MLA John O’Dowd MLA
Cathal Boylan MLA Declan Kearney MLA Maolíosa McHugh MLA
Megan Fearon MLA Sinéad Bradley MLA Catherine Kelly MLA
Justin McNulty MLA Sinéad Ennis MLA Declan McAleer MLA
Daniel McCrossan MLA
David McCann holds a PhD in North-South relations from University of Ulster. You can follow him on twitter @dmcbfs
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