Tony Blair waded in on Brexit today, urging Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to show “political leadership” and return to Stormont. The party have been staging a boycott of the Stormont Assembly since February 2021 over the controversial Northern Ireland Protocol, vowing only to return when the issues had been resolved.
While Rishi Sunak struck a deal with the EU last month – aimed at fixing the issues – DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson has argued it is not enough to trigger a return to power-sharing.
Speaking to POLITICO, Mr Blair said the decision over whether to return to power-sharing with Sinn Féin is a “a test” for the party leader.
But he said he believes the DUP chief can show the leadership required.
The former prime minister said: “There is a lesson — and it’s a lesson in political leadership.
“In the end, politics only makes progress when political leaders lead, and that usually means persuading your own support of something they don’t want to be persuaded of.
“And instead of playing to the gallery, being prepared to look at the genuine interests of the people you represent.”
Mr Blair added: “To be absolutely blunt about it, the Northern Ireland protocol is the best agreement you’re going to get. And you need stability to return to Northern Ireland to protect the union.”
