After nearly two years, the DUP’s executive has voted in support of a deal to return to power sharing in Northern Ireland. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, party leader, has confirmed that the deal proposed a basis for the DUP to reform an executive. However, it’s subject to the UK Parliament passing new legislation, and final agreement on a timetable. The party has not participated in government at Stormont since January 2017.
Donaldson faced opposition within the party, with some speaking against the deal during the five hour executive meeting. Reports by loyalist blogger Jamie Bryson did not reflect the event in the room, the party leader stated. He added that those present at the meeting had not used the word “betrayal” in reference to information being leaked from a private session.
Further details around the deal were discussed at the meeting but not yet published. However, Donaldson claimed confidence in the progress already achieved. He believes that the UK government can quickly implement legislation to enforce what has been agreed upon with the DUP. Legislative commitments agreed upon by the UK Parliament states that these measures will be taken regardless of who forms the next government.
The DUP collapsed the executive back in January 2017 in protest against post-Brexit trade arrangements. The party had engaged in talks with the UK government seeking amendments to the arrangements under the Windsor Framework deal. The legislation agreed upon with Westminster, according to Donaldson, will enable the removal of checks on goods moving within the UK and staying in Northern Ireland as well as ending the country’s blind obedience to EU laws. Measures will also protect the Acts of Union, which guarantees unrestricted access for Northern Ireland businesses to the rest of the UK.
The largest party in the most recent election, Sinn Féin, welcomed the move, saying it’s crucial for political stability to address the crisis affecting public services. Meanwhile, those opposing the deal were led by the Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister, Baroness Kate Hoey, Ben Habib and Jamie Bryson, who claimed that the DUP “caved in” in breach of their pledges
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