Labour leader Keir Starmer believes the Windsor Framework deal on trading arrangements for Northern Ireland will end the poltical deadlock at Stormont.
He said he is glad the DUP is taking its time to study the new deal and expressed hope the unionist party will “get to a position where we move forward”.
The DUP has been boycotting the devolved administration at Stormont for more than a year in protest at the post-Brexit trading arrangements known as the Northern Ireland Protocol.
Read more: US President Joe Biden set to visit Northern Ireland next month
The Labour boss, speaking at an event in Derry, said he believes the new agreement between the UK and EU will bring the stalemate to an end.
He made the comment during a question-and-answer session with students as part of a talk at a local school organised alongside a peace summit ahead of the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
The summit, organised by the John and Pat Hume Foundation, is taking place at the Magee campus of Ulster University.
In the nearby St Columb’s College, the late John Hume’s former school, Sir Keir gave an address to students that focused on the need for “hope and change” in politics and a move away from the “managed decline” of the UK.
He was asked by a student if he believes the Windsor Framework will end the stalemate at Stormont.
“I do,” the Labour leader said. “I am always conscious that it’s very important for communities and political parties here to be comfortable with the progress that we make.
“When I was here working, 20 years or so ago, I was always reticent about being the person who came from London to tell the people of Northern Ireland what they ought to think."
Responding, the student expressed doubt about whether the DUP would back the deal.
Sir Keir said: "I’m glad that the DUP is taking their time to look at it carefully, and we were very careful in saying we supported the protocol but it is important it has the greatest consensus possible.
“I’m really glad the DUP are taking time to carefully consider it. I do hope that allows them to get to a position where we move forward. I feel there is an opportunity there.”
He added: "You will see across Parliament as well that there is quite a consensus behind the protocol. That is why I said to Rishi Sunak, early on, we [Labour] will vote for the protocol.
“I’m a big believer that if you negotiate in good faith and bring people together, you get better results than if you just try to divide and argue. It feels that this time we’ve made progress because there’s been a different attitude to the negotiations."
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