Brexit Protocol: Would the real Steve Baker please stand up?

WOULD THE REAL STEVE BAKER                           PLEASE STAND UP?

 Steve Baker was appointed to his role in        the NIO by Prime Minister Liz Truss 

Would the real Steve Baker please stand up 

Actually he was sitting when he loved-bombed Ireland and the European Union on a stage at the Conservative Party conference.

And so were we - which is a good thing - as we might have fallen down instead.

So who is the man whose appointment as a minister of state at the Northern Ireland Office (NIO) was described as "obnoxious" by SDLP MP Claire Hanna. And why does it matter?

Well until this week he was, in the minds of those who care, the Eurosceptic's Eurosceptic.

A politician who chaired the right-wing European Research Group (ERG) during the Brexit campaign and its aftermath.

And so on Sunday night, the BBC News NI political team went to Hall One at the International Conference Centre in Birmingham to see him, another former chair of the ERG, the Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris, and the other NIO Minister Lord Caine, talk all things Northern Ireland.

News wise our expectations were low. Then Steve Baker began to speak.

Despite acting with "ferocious determination to get the UK out of the EU", he wanted to bring some "humility".

The UK, he said, did not always "behave in a way which encouraged Ireland and the European Union to trust us to accept that they have legitimate interests.

"I am sorry about that,"I am sorry about that," he said.

None of this would have come as a surprise to senior members of the Irish government.

Steve Baker said he had already conveyed these sentiments in person.

I understand the first time was at an ambassadorial event a few weeks ago.

The second was to Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney on the steps of Belfast's St Anne's Cathedral at the memorial service for the Queen.

▪️Irish PM welcomes MP’s apology over Brexit talks 

▪️'Mood music' changed in protocol talks - Coveney 

▪️Why could parts of the Brexit deal be ditched? 

I am told the Irish were "flabbergasted", as was almost everyone else when he finally went public last Sunday night.

The DUP MP Ian Paisley, who warmly welcomed Steve Baker's appointment at the time, said he had been "naive".

With "great respect to my friend", replied Steve Baker, he'd been "not the least bit naive".

    Steve Baker sat beside Simon Coveney      at a Church service in Belfast after the        death of Queen Elizabeth II. IMAGE                        SOURCE, REUTERS

The former Ulster Unionist MP, David Burnside, who knows Steve Baker well, said he met him the following morning at the conference and joked he had become "very moderate".

Though in his opinion, Steve Baker had not "gone native" but was instead "positioning".

A source in the NIO said Steve Baker and Chris Heaton-Harris had not been what they had expected.

"A delight to deal with" and "a breath of fresh air" was the description.

But someone who has followed his career closely said that to understand Steve Baker you must also understand his Christian faith.

As the political editor of the BBC Newsnight programme, Nick Watt knows Steve Baker well.

"Everybody in Westminster and outside Westminster knows Steve Baker as a very strong Brexiteer who campaigned very strongly in the European Research Group, and put a lot of pressure on multiple prime ministers," the journalist explained.

"What people, perhaps, don't know quite so much about Steve Baker is the importance of his background.

"His background as an RAF engineer, that's really important for how he approaches things. He loves skydiving, he loves the freedom of skydiving.

"He loves the freedom of going home on his motorbike, and his very, very important Christian faith. And that is intrinsic to him."

Nick Watt said that meant Steve Baker was "somebody who reflects much more on the rights and wrongs of what he's doing much more than people realise".

      BBC Newsnight's Nick Watt knows                            Steve Baker well 

"That offers some explanation for what he was saying about wanting to repair the UK's relations with Ireland," he continued.

"That was optically a very significant thing to say.

"But then don't forget the substance of what he was saying, which is that the protocol in its present form isn't going to wash."

The criticism from the likes of Sammy Wilson and Ian Paisley aside, the DUP prefers to cling to his concluding remarks about the protocol still needing to be "resolved" and his follow-up explanation that he wanted the Irish government to reciprocate by recognising the legitimacy of unionist interests.

But it is impossible to escape the conclusion they at least smell another of those "thrown under a bus" moments they constantly fear.

One DUP source preferred to say that Steve Baker "believes in his own legend".

And as someone who has talked about running for the Tory leadership in the past, his ambitions are unlikely to stop at the NIO.

With many thanks to: BBC News NI and Gareth Gordon BBC News NI Politicial Correspondent for the original publication. 

Follow these links to find out more on this story: Is the Belfast News Letter pandering to loyalist extremests over the NI Protocol?

NI Protocol: Funeral of Good Friday Agreement unless it is sorted - Poots

The DUP and Brexit are to blame not the NI Protocol that had stalled talks between the British Government and the European Union.

JAMIE BRYSON has claimed he has guarantees from the DUP and its leader Jeffrey Donaldson DUP they will oppose a scheme due to be signed off by 11 Councils in support of the NI Protocol

The DUP and Brexit are to blame not the NI Protocol that had stalled talks between the British Government and the European Union.

ERG Conservative MP Steve Baker has apologised for some of his behaviour towards Ireland and the EU during the Brexit process but "can he be trusted"? 

Steve Baker: The Irish government should take Brexit ERG MP’s words with a 'pinch of salt' they'll always be a sting in the tail from the Conservatives #NeverTrustATory 

The Minister of State in the NI Office (NIO) was speaking at the Conservative party conference.

<iframe width="400" height="500" frameborder="0" src="https://www.bbc.com/news/av-embeds/uk-northern-ireland-63111685/vpid/p0d44qtt"></iframe>

ERG Conservative MP Steve Baker: "We have to bring some humility to this situation"

He reflected that he and others did not "always behave in a way which encouraged Ireland and the European Union to trust us to accept that they have legitimate interests".

"I am sorry about that," he said.

Mr Baker, a well-known Eurosceptic, said "relations with Ireland are not where they should be and we all need to work extremely hard to improve them".

He added: "Actually the demise of our late majesty gave us an opportunity to meet leading Irish figures, and I said to some of them that I am sorry that we did not always respect your legitimate interests.

"I hope they won't mind me saying I could feel the ice thawing a bit."

Wanted to bring 'humility'

He was speaking on a panel alongside NI Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris and Conservative peer Lord Jonathan Caine, who is parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Northern Ireland Office.

Much of the discussion centred around the Northern Ireland Protocol, which keeps NI in the EU's single market for goods - avoiding a hard border on the Island of Ireland. 

"To respect the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) does mean to have respect for all three strands," said Mr Baker.

   Steve Baker, Lord Jonathan Caine and       Chris Heaton-Harris on Sunday during                      the party conference 

"As a unionist said to me they have seen constitutional change without their consent through the protocol," he added.

"Of course, others will argue they've seen constitutional change through having left the EU, without their consent.

"But now's the time to really move on and accept the Belfast/GFA agreement as the fundamental fact which brings peace and enables government in Northern Ireland."

However he then added that despite acting with "ferocious determination to get the UK out of the EU", he wanted to bring some "humility".

"I want to accept and acknowledge that I and others didn't always behave in a way that encouraged Ireland and the EU to trust us to accept that they have legitimate interests, legitimate interests that we're willing to respect - because they do and we are willing to respect them," he said.

"I'm sorry about that, because relations with Ireland are not where they should be and we all need to work extremely hard to improve them and I know that we are doing so," he added.

However he added that the government was resolved to get progress on the protocol.

"It is not acceptable that Northern Ireland is so separate from Great Britain right now under the protocol, the protocol which at the moment is only partially implemented," he said.

    An opinion piece published in the Irish        News regarding Steve Baker's apology 

"That combination of humility and resolve and that willingness to build up relations and say actually, yes, we do want to be Ireland's closest friends and partners, as we all respect all three strands of the Belfast/GFA - that really is where we need to be," he added.

He said people were keen for a negotiated solution.

Ireland's Taoiseach (prime minister) Micheál Martin said on Sunday that he detects "genuine engagement and a wish to get this issue resolved" from Prime Minister Liz Truss.

He added that he believed she would prefer a negotiated solution to the issue.

▪️Truss: Ground should have been laid for tax cuts 

▪️UK and EU to restart talks over NI Protocol 

The UK and EU are set to restart talks aimed at resolving the row over the NI Protocol. 

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly held talks with his EU counterpart Maroš Šefčovič on Friday afternoon.

The government has been attempting to change the deal it originally agreed with the EU nearly three years ago.

But talks have largely been at a standstill since February.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) withdraw from Stormont institutions in protest at the post-Brexit trading arrangements, arguing that the protocol threatens Northern Ireland's place in the union.

The protocol effectively keeps the North of Ireland in the EU's single market for goods - avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland.

But it means new checks on goods arriving from Great Britain, causing deep concern among unionists.

In June, while Liz Truss held the position of foreign secretary, she introduced legislation in Parliament that sought to give UK ministers powers to unilaterally scrap large parts of the deal. 

     The NI Protocol has caused concern         among unionists/loyalists (PUL) but           the majority of the electorate in the             north support the #Protocol and                   wish to remain part of the                                   European Union 

It was welcomed by the DUP, which has called for the bill to be "fully enacted" before the party considers a return to power sharing, but was condemned by political opponents and the EU as a breach of international law.

▪️What is the NI Protocol? 

▪️NI Protocol Bill passes Commons 

Since becoming prime minister this month, Ms Truss has reiterated that she wants to reach a negotiated outcome with the EU that would avoid use of the protocol bill's powers.

However, the legislation is still expected to begin its scrutiny in the House of Lords in the coming weeks.

With many thanks to: BBC News and Patrick Baker BBC Politics for the original story. 

Follow these links to find out more on this story: DUP Lies Won't let Protocol facts get in way of Brexit devotion

Is the Belfast News Letter pandering to loyalist extremests over the NI Protocol?

Brexit: Steve Baker sorry over behavior towards Ireland during talks

NI Protocol: Funeral of Good Friday Agreement unless it is sorted - Poots

Is the Belfast News Letter pandering to loyalist extremests over the NI Protocol?

There was fresh uncertainty last night over the Tory government’s position on the NI Protocol Bill.

      Jamie Bryson said: "This is the Irish             government who put the protocol                  upon us, and yet Mr Baker is                             apologising to them"

         Monday 3rd October, 2022. 

The NI Office minister and noted Brexiteer Steve Baker apologised for his former “ferocious” stance on negotiations with the EU.

Speaking at the Tory conference, Mr Baker said ministers needed to act with “humility” to restore relationships with the Republic and the EU. But he also said: “The counterpoint of that is resolve. No one should underestimate our resolve, this government’s resolve, to get progress on the protocol.”

    BRYSON Said: "that street protests                   might again be necessary" 

However, the loyalist Jamie Bryson said: “The comments by Steve Baker ‘apologising’ to the Irish government will raise alarm bells for all unionists and loyalists. The campaign of street protest was eased off on the basis of a belief that the government were going to rid us of the pernicious protocol.

   Steve Baker, Minister of State at the NI        Office, speaking at the Conservative           Party conference in Birmingham on        Sunday where he said ministers needed            to act with 'humility' to restore            relationships with the Republic and the               EU. Photo: Jacob King/PA Wire

“The appointment of Steve Baker and Chris Heaton-Harris was seen as a positive sign, but all they have done is pander to nationalists and the Irish government.”

He said that street protest might again be necessary.

Later the prime minister, Liz Truss, was asked by UTV if Mr Baker’s comments were a ‘signal of intent’ from the government. She said: “Steve speaks for himself, but he speaks for the whole government in that we absolutely want to find a negotiated settlement.”

The prime minster was also asked by Tracey Magee, UTV’s political editor, if there will be an election if a Stormont executive is not reformed by October 28.

       The Secretary of state for NI Chris           Heaton-Harris shared the stage with        Steve Baker and Lord Caine, his junior      NIO minister. Photo: Jacob King/PA Wire

Ms Truss replied: “Yes, there will.”

Steve Baker, previously a member of the pro-Brexit European Research Group of MPs and now a junior minister at the Northern Ireland Office (NIO), told the Conservative conference in Birmingham that relations with Ireland were not “where they should be” and added that ministers needed to act with “humility” to restore relationships with the Republic and the EU.

The Wycombe MP told delegates: “The thing I want to add, as one of the people who perhaps acted with the most ferocious determination to get the UK out of the EU: I think we have to bring some humility to this situation.

“It is with humility that I want to accept and acknowledge that I and others did not always behave in a way which encouraged Ireland and the European Union to trust us, to accept that they have legitimate interests, legitimate interests that we are willing to respect.

“Because they do and we are willing to respect them, and I am sorry about that, because relations with Ireland are not where they should be and we all need to work extremely hard to improve that and I know that we are doing so.”

Mr Baker said: “The demise of our late majesty gave us the opportunity to meet leading Irish figures and I said to some of them I am sorry we did not always respect your legitimate interests. I hope they don’t mind.

“The counterpoint of that is resolve. No one should underestimate our resolve, this government’s resolve, to get progress on the protocol.

“It is not acceptable that North of Ireland is so separate from GB, right now under the protocol, the protocols at the moment which is only partially implemented. So we are absolutely resolute in getting change.

“That change is set out in the bill that we’ve presented, which is going through parliament in the House of Lords. But that combination of humility and resolve and that willingness to build up relations and say actually yes, we do want to be Ireland’s closest friends and partners as we all respect all three strands of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement.

“That is where we really ned to be. And I think that is where the mood is shifting” as people go for a negotiated solution.”

His boss, the Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris, said he had “learnt a lot in the last few years” about the intricate links between the UK and Ireland. He gave the examples of the common travel area and common energy market between Northern Ireland and the Republic, telling the conference: “What we do independently in the United Kingdom, where we give £400 and other support to consumers of energy, actually can have some effect on the market in Ireland. I understand the complications. Maybe we could have understood them a bit better sooner.”

The new tone from ministers came after Foreign Secretary James Cleverly held his first call with Maros Sefcovic, the European Commission vice president. Mr Sefcovic described the call as a “good conversation”.

It also comes after a meeting Mr Heaton-Harris met the Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney in Northern Ireland last week. Mr Coveney talked warmly about how messages coming from London were “quite different” from the messages of a few months ago.

Jamie Bryson said: “This is the Irish government who put the protocol upon us, and yet Mr Baker is apologising to them. He can speak on behalf of himself because I imagine no genuine unionist or loyalist will be apologising to the Irish government. It’s looking increasingly likely that consideration as to street protest may once again be necessary. The NIO is smashing the trust of unionists and loyalists.

“Rather than apologising to the Irish government, the NIO should be apologising to the unionist and loyalist community for the damage inflicted upon the Union and their betrayal of Northern Ireland.

“At this rate Steve Baker and Chris Heaton Harris will be standing arms aloft on the stage at the next Ireland’s Future rally.”

With many thanks to the: News Letter and Ben Lowry in Birmingham for the original publication. 

Follow these links to find out more on this story: Jamie Bryson: Government's clever legal footwork over the NI Protocol will not hoodwink the PUL

OPEN YOUR EYES: Are loyalist paramilitaries mainly the UVF to blame for flooding the streets of Belfast with their drugs?

Truss says Baker apology to Ireland and EU was speaking 'from his own personal experience'

Loyalist alarm at Tory apology to Dublin and mixed signals on the Northern Ireland Protocol