Graffiti in south Belfast, February 2021. Photograph: Paul Faith/AFP/Getty Images
Will Boris Johnson now trigger article 16? There’s a question few people thought would ever be making the headlines. It’s a legitimate question, however, given the rising tensions in Northern Ireland over its new post-Brexit trade restrictions.
Unionist politicians and others are up in arms about the effects of the Northern Ireland protocol, which was negotiated as part of the EU withdrawal deal to prevent border restrictions between Northern Ireland and Ireland. Instead, there are checks and controls on the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. These have led to a significant increase in paperwork for suppliers and haulage companies making the crossing to ports at Belfast and Larne, and trade in some goods, such as those containing soil, is no longer possible at all.
Brexit that is surely even more likely to be the case. At least, however, our sympathetic editor has given me the freedom to decide the topics on which I can pontificate about 2021. I start with outgoing US president Donald Trump and political populism.
DONALD TRUMP BY the end of January, Trump will no longer be president of the United States. That is indeed a very welcome and sweet start to the new year. I see him to be the most disreputable and reckless president in American history, showing little or no concern for decent and traditional norms, humanity or the law, and making pronouncements which some have denounced as little other than racist diatribe.
| UPDATED: 13:04, Wed, Dec 30, 2020
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Matt Hancock warns more areas will move into Tier 4 Sign up to receive our rundown of the day s top stories direct to your inbox
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The second tier review will take place today with an announcement due to be delivered by Matt Hancock at 3pm from the House of Commons. Express.co.uk has compiled a guide to show which areas are most at risk of moving up a tier based on the latest coronavirus prevalence rate data over the past seven days.
| UPDATED: 07:20, Mon, Jan 4, 2021
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Gavin Williamson says school delay is to ‘root out’ coronavirus Sign up to receive our rundown of the day s top stories direct to your inbox
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Rising coronavirus cases has led to the tightening of restrictions across the UK, with most areas in England plunged into the strictest Tier 4. The newest tier, Tier 4 means non-essential shops must close, hospitality venues closed and Britons are told to remain home where they can.