Eastwood: EU reflecting will of people in North of Ireland

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has said European Union leaders are more in tune with the will of people in Northern Ireland than the British Government or the DUP.

Reacting to reports that German Chancellor Angela Merkel told Boris Johnson that the North of Ireland should remain in the Customs Union, Mr Eastwood called on others to listen to the voice of people, communities and business who oppose a border across Ireland.

Said the Foyle: “I wish I could say I was surprised or shocked that the German Chancellor is more in tune with the will of people, businesses and communities here than the DUP or the British Government.

“But it has been the case for the last three years that EU leaders have listened to the concerns raised by people here and reacted with thoughtful proposals while London, supported by the DUP, has failed to step up to the mark.

“Johnson’s government, having submitted proposals which have been rejected by every party in the North of Ireland apart from their DUP partners and which they knew would be rejected by Europe, is now feigning pantomime shock that a double border is unacceptable.

“It is embarrassing, insulting and they are playing a dangerous game with the livelihoods of people in Northern Ireland.

“Angela Merkel is right.

“Retaining membership of the customs union and the single market is the only solution that prevents a hard border on this island.

“People here voted to remain in the customs union, we voted to retain the benefits of single market membership.

“The British Government, aided and abetted by the DUP, is setting out on a course of deliberate economic and constitutional vandalism for no reason.

“They should set aside the Downing street war games and finally listen to what people here are saying,” added the SDLP leader.

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