Brexit Brief 155

The local government elections in Northern Ireland on 18 May produced historic gains for Sinn Féin, which has become the first nationalist party in Northern Ireland to hold the largest number of seats at council level. It was a less bruising night than some had predicted for the DUP, who retained an equal number of council seats, while Alliance made significant gains, cementing their status as Northern Ireland’s third party. With the majority of voters backing parties who support a return to Stormont, there have been reinvigorated calls for a restore to power-sharing. However, the DUP are standing firm in their refusal to go back to the Good Friday institutions until changes are made to the Windsor Framework. Meanwhile, European ambassadors to the UK have publicly declared the strength of the EU-UK relationship, and British car manufacturers seek changes to the Brexit deal.