Arlene Foster demands PM go back to Brussels to get new Brexit deal

DUP leader Arlene Foster has demanded a rethink from the Government on Brexit, as she joked about sending Boris Johnson to the ‘naughty step’ by defeating him in Parliament.

She was speaking at the unionist party’s conference, and vowed to keep using the party’s 10 votes in Parliament to oppose the current deal until changes are made.

Boris Johnson is currently stuck in a stalemate, unable to find a way forward to achieving a deal by October 31, but has also been unsuccessful in his attempts to hold a general election.

EU member states met in Brussels yesterday to consider rubber stamping the UK’s request for the three-month delay, which the Prime Minister was forced into by MPs.

But during a ‘lively’ exchange, France stood firm against the other 26 remaining member states and stopped any decision being taken, which could lead to Britain leaving without a deal.

DUP leader Arlene Foster has demanded a rethink from the Government on Brexit, as she joked about sending Boris Johnson to the ‘naughty step’ by defeating him in Parliament.

Boris Johnson is currently stuck in a stalemate, unable to find a way forward to achieving a deal by October 31, but has also been unsuccessful in his attempts to hold a general election

Boris Johnson is currently stuck in a stalemate, unable to find a way forward to achieving a deal by October 31, but has also been unsuccessful in his attempts to hold a general election

However, Jeremy Corbyn could also break the deadlock by agreeing to a general election if there is a shorter extension, or by supporting the Prime Minister’s deal.

The beleaguered Labour leader has continued to refused making a decision, claiming Mr Johnson’s plans continues to be pulling the UK out of the EU without a deal despite having negotiated one. 

DUP votes could also prove vital in securing either a deal or a general election.  

But Ms Foster told her party conference that the Prime Minister’s withdrawal agreement would take Northern Ireland in the ‘wrong direction’.

To great applause, she joked that ‘rather than have Boris with us today, we have had to send him to the naughty step in Parliament twice in this last week.’

Ms Foster was speaking at the annual Democratic Unionist Party conference in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Ms Foster was speaking at the annual Democratic Unionist Party conference in Belfast, Northern Ireland

‘With our 10 votes being so critical in Parliament, there is a great responsibility to make sure we support the right decisions for Northern Ireland but have the boldness and strength to stand up and say no when we need to,’ she said.

‘On Brexit, we will not give support to the Government when we believe they are fundamentally wrong and acting in a way that is detrimental to Northern Ireland and taking us in the wrong direction.

‘We will oppose them and we will use our votes to defeat them.

‘Let me say clearly from this platform today that we want to support a deal that works for the whole of the United Kingdom and which does not leave Northern Ireland behind.

‘But without change, we will not vote for the Prime Minister’s agreement.

She added that the current deal ‘is bad for Northern Ireland economically’ and would ‘weaken the foundations of this great United Kingdom’.

But she reiterated that the DUP still wanted to ‘find a path’ to a deal the two parties, who are still in a confidence and supply agreement, can agree on. 

‘The customs and consent arrangements must be visited and a One Nation approach adopted.’

She admitted that there was not a ‘perfect’ deal to be had, but the party would continue to seek ‘fair and balanced deal’.

Earlier on in the day, DUP deputy leader Nigel Dodds told Boris Johnson his party will only support a Brexit deal that protects the Union.

Addressing his party conference in Belfast, Mr Dodds referenced Mr Johnson’s speech at the same event last year, when he pledged not to erect economic barriers in the Irish Sea.

‘Stick to your word, Prime Minister,’ Mr Dodds told delegates.

‘This party has always made clear that we want a deal.

‘A deal that works for the whole of the United Kingdom and for the European Union. A deal that recognises Northern Ireland’s unique history and geography.

‘A deal that supports our business community and families across this Province.

‘But, this party will only support a deal that ensures Northern Ireland leaves the European Union in a way that protects both the economic and constitutional integrity of our United Kingdom.’

Mr Dodds said the current deal provided the ‘worst of both worlds’.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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