SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and his deputy Nicola Mallon MLA
They told Julian Smith that Boris Johnson’s proposals did not have the consent of political parties, the business community or people in the North of Ireland.
Said the Foyle MLA: “We met the Secretary of State today and gave our very blunt assessment of Boris Johnson’s proposal for a double border – it’s unworkable and unrealistic.
“Erecting a tariff wall on this island, which is what will happen with a customs border, will cripple integrated supply chains and force businesses to close.
“It is unacceptable.
“If this was really about securing the consent of parties or people here, then the British Government should admit they have failed.
“A majority of MLAs will not consent, the business community will not consent, people living along the border and across Northern Ireland will not consent.
“The only consent they have secured is the DUP’s. They do not speak for us.
“The only way to protect the interests of this island is to secure continued membership of the single market and customs union.
“Anything less will deliver a hard border that will close businesses, sacrifice tens of thousands of jobs and create further political uncertainty.”
