Northern Ireland’s largest British unionist party, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), has ended a two-year boycott that left the region without a power-sharing administration, causing political dysfunction and impacting the peace process. The breakthrough paves the way for the restoration of the shuttered Belfast government, with Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein poised to hold the post of first minister for the first time.
Following an extensive late-night meeting, DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson announced that the party’s executive had agreed to proposals to return to the government. He stated that agreements reached with the UK government in London provide a basis for our party to nominate members to the Northern Ireland Executive, thus seeing the restoration of the locally elected institutions.
The resolution comes after months of inconclusive negotiations and the UK government’s ultimatum, giving Northern Ireland politicians until February 8 to restore the Northern Ireland Assembly and local government or face new elections.
Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris expressed optimism, stating that all the conditions are in place for the Assembly to return. He also revealed that he would release details of the UK government’s new proposals after briefing Northern Ireland’s main political parties.
The DUP’s boycott began in February 2022 due to a dispute over post-Brexit trade rules. Since then, the party has refused to participate in the government alongside Sinn Fein. However, power-sharing rules established as part of Northern Ireland’s peace process mandate the inclusion of both British unionists and Irish nationalists in the administration.
The boycott left Northern Ireland’s 1.9 million people without a functioning government, leading to critical decision-making delays in the face of rising living costs and strained public health services. Frustration among the public escalated, prompting teachers, nurses, and other public sector workers to stage a 24-hour strike demanding the return of politicians and a long-delayed pay raise.
To incentivize the restoration of the Belfast government, the British government has agreed to allocate over £3 billion ($3.8 billion) in funding to Northern Ireland’s public services.
Katy Hayward, a professor of political sociology at Queen’s University Belfast, suggested that DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson had concluded that the party’s boycott had reached a dead end. She stated, Jeffrey Donaldson thought that the time was running out. This was his opportunity, he had to jump.
The political deadlock in Northern Ireland stems from the UK’s departure from the European Union and its trading bloc, which resulted in the implementation of new trade rules. The DUP strongly opposed these rules, which introduced customs checks and other obstacles for goods moving between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.
The customs checks were established to maintain an open border with the Republic of Ireland, a crucial element of the peace process. However, the DUP argues that the new trade border undermines Northern Ireland’s position within the UK.
In February 2023, the UK and the EU reached a deal to ease customs checks and other hurdles for goods moving to Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK. Nevertheless, the DUP remained unsatisfied, continuing their government boycott.
Donaldson confirmed that the British government had agreed to additional measures that would result in zero checks, zero customs paperwork for goods bound for Northern Ireland.
However, the DUP’s change of heart faces opposition from hard-line unionists who staunchly defend Northern Ireland’s status within the UK. They argue that even minimal post-Brexit checks create a de facto internal trade barrier. Dozens of protesters gathered outside the DUP meeting venue, waving placards that read, Stop DUP sellout.
Throughout the marathon five-hour DUP meeting, Jamie Bryson, editor of the Unionist Voice newsletter and a staunch opponent of Donaldson’s compromise efforts, live-tweeted details, revealing the party’s internal discussions.
Donaldson acknowledged last week that he had received threats due to his attempts to negotiate a return to the government. He emphasized the courage displayed by his party and their determination to move Northern Ireland forward.
The situation is further complicated by the changing political landscape in Northern Ireland. Unionists were historically the dominant force in the Northern Ireland Assembly, but in 2022, Sinn Fein won the most seats in an election. As a result, Sinn Fein, which seeks to unite Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland, will hold the position of first minister, while the DUP will assume the role of deputy. This arrangement is seen as a significant step towards a united Ireland, according to Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald.
Experts believe that while this appointment carries symbolic importance, it may not have a significant practical impact since it is a joint position with limited powers. Nevertheless, the international headlines about the first Sinn Fein first minister are headlines that the DUP has long dreaded.
The resolution of Northern Ireland’s political deadlock is expected to bring relief to the region’s people, who have endured the consequences of a dysfunctional government. With the potential restoration of the Belfast government, there is renewed hope for addressing pressing economic and social concerns.
