Will Rishi Sunak agree deal with EU on protocol if he becomes PM?

The Tory hopeful says an agreement is possible before the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill becomes law. Adam Forrest takes a look at whether Sunak is serious about ‘constructive’ talks with Brussels

Conservative leadership hopeful Rishi Sunak (PA)

Rishi Sunak hasn’t given up on becoming prime minister. Despite trailing behind Liz Truss in several polls of Conservative Party members, he continues to flesh out his platform for government in case he manages to stage a comeback and succeed Boris Johnson at No 10.

The former chancellor and foreign secretary have largely ignored Brexit issues during the Tory leadership campaign, but Sunak has now set out his stall on the almighty row with our nearest neighbours.

His latest comments offer a glimmer of hope for those who wish to see the apparently ceaseless feud with the EU over the Northern Ireland protocol end one day. The remarks might even raise a smile in Brussels, Dublin and Paris.

In an interview with the Belfast Telegraph, Sunak said he wanted to reopen negotiations in a bid to finally “fix” issues with the protocol that have created barriers to GB-NI trade.

Intriguingly, the Tory hopeful also suggested that a deal could be done before the highly-contentious Northern Ireland Protocol Bill – the one that tears up part of the Brexit agreement – makes its way through the Lords and into legislation.

Sunak told Times Radio on Friday that he would sit down with Irish, French and EU leaders “to make sure we can try and see if we can find a constructive solution to this problem”.

He added: “Not least because it’d mean we could solve it far faster than the time it takes the bill to get through parliament.”

The former chancellor is no “starry-eyed booster” (his favourite insult during the Tory campaign) when it comes to future EU relations, however.

Keen not to be bested by Truss when it comes to votes of Brexiteers, Sunak also talked tough and insisted the protocol had severed the NI economy from the UK’s “orbit” since the country left the EU.

“If negotiation doesn’t deliver what we need to, it will become law,” he said on the bill.

Is Sunak’s heart in the protocol bill? Probably not. He is thought to have voiced strong economic concerns over the bill driven through by Truss before Johnson’s premiership collapsed – warning of the possibility of a trade war with the EU.

Does he have the political space for a deal with the EU in the event he triumphs over Truss? Possibly so. It may not be high on his agenda right now, but Sunak’s willingness to engage in new talks suggests he is open-minded about an agreement.

If Sunak wins power early next month, there would be a temptation to let the protocol bill pass, keep the DUP relatively happy and deal with the trade retaliation from Brussels – allowing the whole sorry mess to rumble on for years.

But in a scenario in which Sunak’s pragmatism somehow wins through in the Tory contest, he may feel it is in his interest to let the public know he is someone who actually sorts out sorry messes.

To bastardise the terrible phrase, getting the protocol done would be a pretty good gambit to take into the next general election campaign.