A row has erupted between the Democratic Unionist party and Northern Ireland business and farming interests after the Ulster Farmers’ Union gave its backing to Theresa May’s Brexit deal, in the first sign of cracks in support for the unionist party’s policy at home. The union, which represents more than 11,000 farmers, many of whom traditionally vote for the DUP, has called on Arlene Foster to vote for the Brexit deal, telling her a no-deal Brexit would be absolutely disastrous for the region. No-deal Brexit will kill our communities, say Northern Irish farmers Read moreBut their remarks and the support from about a dozen business organisations including the Confederation of British Industry in Northern Ireland has incensed leading DUP figures. There are serious constitutional and economic implications of this deal for Northern Ireland,” he said. Angela McGowan, the CBI Northern Ireland director, said: “Companies across Northern Ireland simply could not cope with a no-deal Brexit.

Source: The Guardian November 17, 2018 17:31 UTC