The UK government has set a new deadline for Northern Ireland politicians to restore the collapsed regional government in Belfast. After a previous deadline in January passed without a resolution, the UK government has given the politicians until February 8 to revive the power-sharing administration.
The extension comes as Northern Ireland’s largest British unionist party, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), considers ending its boycott that has kept the power-sharing administration in limbo for almost two years. The British government is legally obligated to call new elections in Northern Ireland, but the extension allows for further attempts to revive the executive.
The DUP walked out in February 2022 due to a dispute over post-Brexit trade rules. The party has refused to return to government with the Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein, which is a requirement under the power-sharing rules. As a result, Northern Ireland’s 1.9 million people have been without a functioning administration to make vital decisions as the cost of living rises and backlogs strain the public health system.
Last week, teachers, nurses, and other public sector workers in Northern Ireland staged a 24-hour strike, urging politicians to return to government and provide them with a long-overdue pay raise. The British government has committed to providing over £3 billion ($3.8 billion) for public services in Northern Ireland, but only if the executive in Belfast is reinstated.
The DUP’s opposition to the new post-Brexit trade rules, which imposed customs checks and other obstacles on goods moving between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, led to their boycott of the government. These checks were implemented to maintain an open border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. However, the DUP argues that the new trade rules undermine Northern Ireland’s place in the UK.
While negotiations have failed to persuade the DUP to return to government thus far, recent talks with the UK government have shown signs of progress. DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson stated that they will work to bridge the remaining gaps between the party and the UK government. Sinn Fein’s vice president Michelle O’Neill called it decision time for the DUP and urged them to restore the democratic institutions.
The cost of living continues to rise, and the lack of a functioning administration exacerbates the challenges faced by the people of Northern Ireland. With the new deadline set, it remains to be seen whether the DUP will end their boycott and work towards restoring the power-sharing government. The deadline of February 8 will be crucial in determining the future of Northern Ireland’s governance.
