The Northern Ireland Protocol – Making Peace or Waging War? A text analysis of the DUP & Sinn Féin’s framing of the Northern Ireland protocol

Abstract

Since Brexit was announced there have been many researchers worrying about what would happen to the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland. A protocol created by the EU and the United Kingdom was established to secure peace at the border. Northern Ireland has a turbulent history marked by conflict between the two ideologically opposed groups, nationalists and unionists. This thesis investigates whether the two sides, nationalists and unionists, have major differences regarding the protocol and whether this can lead to a possible return of the ‘troubles’. The study analysis the two sides largest parties and therefore asks the question “Does the Northern Ireland protocol create a new line of division between Sinn Féin and the DUP?”. In order to analyse this, a qualitative text analysis has been used, and the material used are various texts published on the newsfeed from the selected parties. The analysing tool used is based on framing theory. The results of this thesis have found that the two parties opinions contradict each other regarding the protocol. The protocol has been welcomed by Sinn Féin and rejected by the Democratic Unionist Party. Concerning the two groups history, there is a considerable possibility for the emergence of a new line of division between Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionist Party