Reacting to the Prime Minister`s announcement that the UK needs to get ready for a no trade deal with the EU, Ulster Unionist Party leader, Steve Aiken OBE MLA, said:
“The announcement by the Prime Minister that we need to start preparing for a no deal is profoundly disappointing, especially for the people of Northern Ireland. It raises uncertainty to unprecedented levels. On many occasions in the past the EU and the UK Government have equally ignored the needs of Northern Ireland and yet again we are being left, at best, in limbo. Northern Ireland has been kicked around for long enough.
“If the EU and the Prime Minister are really committed to ensuring that the Belfast Agreement is respected, then we encourage both sets of protagonists to get back to the negotiating table – and to do it now. The posturing and unhelpful rhetoric emanating from Dublin, Brussels and London is helping no one – least of all our businesses, farmers and consumers. That this is occurring in the midst of a global pandemic makes this the worst form of irresponsible behaviour – on all sides. They should end the high wire acts and negotiate seriously to reach agreement.”