Cumbria’s politicians have shared their thoughts on an historic agreement made between the UK and EU over the future of Northern Ireland post-Brexit.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen struck an agreement after long-standing concerns about NI’s place in the UK after Brexit.

Since 2019, when the UK left the EU, the Northern Ireland Protocol was enacted to avoid a ‘hard border’ with the Republic of Ireland, a member state of the EU.

This new agreement, called the ‘Windsor Framework’, comes after criticism of the protocol from unionists in Northern Ireland that said the initial plan kept them closer to the EU.

Multi-faceted, it addresses various contentious parts of the protocol, such as transit of goods, taxes, and devolution.

The main criteria of the plan include all UK tax policies to take effect in Northern Ireland, and for UK products going to Northern Ireland to travel through without customs checks, which the PM said will mean more Great British products will be stocked there.

It also addresses an issue with Stormont, the country’s devolved government, which hasn’t been sat since February 2022 as the DUP refused to supply a Deputy Minister in protest of the former protocol which was criticised for still keeping EU influence on a Northern Ireland that was meant to be independent of it post-Brexit.

Now, Stormont can have a say on any EU law that will impact Northern Ireland, meaning the UK government can veto said law.

The agreement has been welcomed by three of Cumbria’s MPs, who are all Conservatives.

John Stevenson, the MP for Carlisle, said: “I think the Prime Minister has done a tremendous job, he’s worked extremely hard.”

He said he disagreed with criticisms that it has still left Northern Ireland partially under EU influence, and the struck deal is the best thing for the Northern Irish people.

On medicines from Great Britain now being allowed to be stocked in Northern Ireland, Neil Hudson, a vet and the MP for Penrith and the Border, said: “As the only vet in the Commons, I'm pleased the Prime Minister and his team have listened to expert advice and included specific measures on agrifood, medicines and pets.

“The new framework ensures long-term availability of human medicines and a plan for veterinary medicines after the grace period ends in 2025.”

Mark Jenkinson, the MP for Workington, said: “I am glad that this agreement will ensure smooth-flowing trade within the UK, protect Northern Ireland’s place in the union, (and) guarantee the sovereignty of Northern Ireland.”

However, Julie Minns, the Labour candidate for Carlisle at the next general election, said: “The Windsor Framework is the first admission by the Tory Government that they have made a complete hash of Brexit.

"Whilst it fixes the Government's previous deal that stopped Northern Irish people buying the same sausages as the rest of the UK, for a Government Minister to suggest that it is on a par with the Labour Government's Good Friday Agreement, is an insult to the people of Northern Ireland."

This was in response to the Northern Ireland Minister Steve Baker, who told ITV's Peston: "Personally I think it's a kind of, for want of a better term, statesmanship, which is at the level of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement."

Julie continued: "Labour will support the Framework becoming law, but the Prime Minister will only resolve the political challenges that lie ahead if he stops the bluster and spin.

"If he can't, he should get out of the way and call a general election."

READ MORE: DUP urged to make decision over Windsor Framework to restore Stormont