Stormont: Last ditch attempt to revive power-sharing ahead of midnight deadline

A last-ditch attempt will be made later to try and revive power-sharing at Stormont.

If unsuccessful, The Secretary of State insists he will be sending voters back to the polls.

After meeting with party leaders in Belfast yesterday, Chris Heaton-Harris said, “Since I have become Secretary of State, I have consistently been clear that if the Executive is not formed by 28 October, I will call an election.”

“Time is running out, and people in Northern Ireland deserve locally-elected decision-makers and an executive who can respond to the issues facing people, families and communities across Northern Ireland during this challenging time.”

“We are clear that people deserve an accountable devolved government and that was my message to party leaders today.”

Politicians will gather at Stormont at midday in a fresh attempt to nominate a Speaker, although it appears futile, with the DUP branding today’s Assembly recall a stunt.

The DUP walked out of the Executive back in February as part of a protest against the Northern Ireland protocol.

Speaking after a phone call with Mr Heaton-Harris on Thursday, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said, “The Secretary of State has been very forthright in his comments around the prospect of an Assembly Election. It is entirely up to him whether that happens, but the DUP will go into any election seeking to renew our mandate that the Protocol must be replaced with arrangements that can secure the support of unionists as well as nationalists.”

“Whatever changes an election might bring, it won’t change the fundamental need for cross-community consent. No unionist elected to the Assembly in May supports the Protocol and there is no-one who credibly believes that will change should there be an election in December.”

“Progress can be secured through either negotiation or legislation, but the destination is what’s important. That destination is to meet the Government’s own NDNA commitment to restore Northern Ireland’s place within the United Kingdom Internal Market.”

“The problem is clear and the solution has been outlined. The local political parties are not at the table to negotiate with the EU or the Cabinet table to deliver the legislation. That task lies with the Secretary of State and the Government in which he serves.”

Speaking in Belfast on Thursday night after a meeting with the NI Secretary, Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill, who should currently be First Minister, said, “There’s a small window if those in the DUP decide to take it ; highly unlikely though given the stance they’ve taken up until this point. The rest of the political parties want to be there, they want to work together”.

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