5 Simple Ways the Protocol Could Strengthen the Union

All the Unionist parties have been dragged along an anti-Protocol road by the hard right conservative wing of their culture. That the same thinking rejects the Irish language, seeks to maliciously blame the Republic of Ireland for an agreement signed by the UK Government, and rejects any attempts to create a socially modern society shows the start point that ends up being against the Protocol.

So here 5 examples of why they are so wrong and that the Protocol could result in a stronger Union, if that is actually what they want.

1. Trade: Trade is the lifeblood of business. Not the location of the businesses that are trading, it’s the money and goods being transferred. The benefit of trade is selling to other markets, as it brings money into our economy. That is why for over 20 years Invest NI has been pushing for companies to export. Grants have been based on selling outside of NI. Grants are not awarded to buy from other parts of the UK or the world. The Protocol facilitates exporting.
2. GB Businesses that will locate in NI to export. Every GB business that sets up in NI to take advantage of the beneficial trading arrangements created by the Protocol will, by having a NI presence, strengthen the connections between the two geographies. They will be investing here, employing local people, spending in the local economy and by exporting, bringing more money into NI.
3. Every company that sets up in NI due to the Protocol will want NI to remain as an entity that can access the EU through ROI. That means they will support the existence of NI, and have a reason to engage in the debate that currently is irrelevant to their interests.
4. This will have a wider impact on the population of GB that currently sees, a view being reinforced by the anti-Protocol rabble rousing, that NI is a basket case of a place that does nothing but cause trouble and cost money. If NI were seen as a dynamic location, trying to stand alone and move forward from an incomprehensible sectarian history the acceptance of its place in the UK would be stronger not weaker.
5. Prosperity. All the above have a positive and long term impact on NI in real terms. Better more sustainable jobs in existing and new businesses. A greater investment in training and education to facilitate the economic growth. Improved levels of pay as more money filters into the economy through better jobs. More discretionary spend available for local tourism, hospitality and products, More local businesses supplying major retailers and manufacturers in GB and the EU.

The opportunities are there. And so is the evidence that if approached with a strategic plan, NI can be changed positively.

In the mid 2000s NI Screen was seen as a folly. But the strategy put together by the team, included training, education (the Moving Image Arts GCSE and A-Levels were developed here to feed the industry growth), Creative Learning Centres, support for new companies, training with every major production, engagement with Tourism NI, being open to new thinking on studios and locations. All this has resulted in NI Screen now being seen as one of the most successful public sector undertakings ever in NI, with over £500 million contributed to the economy.

If the same approach was taken to the Protocol, we would see a stronger Northern Ireland, trading successfully with GB and the EU through ROI.

But…maybe none of the above matters to the Unionists that are so against the Protocol. Maybe underneath it all it is just another attempt to cling on to the old ways in Northern Ireland.