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Good morning John

People said it couldn’t be done, but this Party has proved that it could. Brussels came back to the table and changes have been made.

Whilst we will study the fine print and take expert advice, improvements have been made especially regarding trade however questions remain over core sectors of our economy.

If the DUP had taken the same approach as Sinn Fein, the SDLP and the Alliance Party, Northern Ireland would be in a worse position today. They not only wanted the Protocol, they wanted it on steroids.

Let’s remember in September 2020 when the Protocol problems were mounting, the Alliance Party joined Sinn Fein in Dublin to call for the “rigorous implementation” of the Protocol and mock those of us who were arguing for a better way.

Those pro-Protocol parties were more focused on the EU’s interests than they were on Northern Ireland’s interests.

This Party will always stand up for Northern Ireland. Our rationale is to look at the long term and build a better Northern Ireland for the next generation.

There are some who would say ‘yes’ to anything and others who would say ‘no’ to everything because they are more focused on where they have come from than where they are going. As the custodians of Northern Ireland’s future however, we must carefully weigh up the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of each situation.

Where improvements have been made, we will recognise progress and where questions remain, we will take the time to get clear answers.

In assessing the way ahead, we will not be knocked off course by rhetoric, but we will keep grounded in reality and judge the deal against our seven tests as set out in our 2022 manifesto.

Most of all, we must stay together. As a team, we will make progress but divided we will lose focus and miss opportunities.

Thank you again for your support.

Best wishes,

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP

DUP Leader