As MPs return to Westminster for the new parliamentary term there is a lot of dust still to settle.
As the Conservative Party did not get an outright majority there is a hung parliament. This means that the Tories have cast around for a coalition partner of some kind, and they have settled on the 10 DUP MPs who represent constituencies in Northern Ireland.
Late last night Downing Street announced that a deal had been struck and then just as quickly a retraction of that statement was issued.
Commenting on the UK government’s attempts to establish a “confidence and supply deal” with the DUP, SNP MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, and Northern Ireland spokesperson Deidre Brock said : “It is an absolute shambles that the Tories claimed to have struck a formal deal with the DUP, only to now admit that no such deal was in place. Theresa May’s government is in absolute chaos.
“If the Tories do agree a confidence and supply arrangement, the public will have little confidence in it. We must have absolute transparency over what agreements will be reached for the supply of DUP votes.
“It would be nothing short of scandalous if the Tory party jeopardised the return of government in Northern Ireland and the Good Friday process in order to cling on to power at Westminster.
“At the same time there are very real questions to be asked over any suggestion that equal rights for LGBTI people or women’s rights could be diminished in any part of the UK by this deal.
“The PM’s private reassurances are worthless given her track record of u-turns and her clear desperation to cling to power.
“SNP MPs will always work with other parties in support of progressive policies across the UK and we will demand full scrutiny and transparency over any confidence and supply arrangement.”
The DUP was the only political party who did not consent to the Good Friday agreement at the time it was signed a decade or so ago.
A Downing Street spokesperson announced a phone call between the Prime Minister and the Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny earlier today. Mr Kenny has recently announced he will give way to a successor.
The Prime Minister explained to Mr Kenny that she is working towards a confidence and supply deal with the DUP which would provide stability and certainty for the UK going forward.
They confirmed their joint commitment to restoring a Northern Ireland Executive as soon as possible and agreed that both countries would continue to engage closely to bring about political stability in Northern Ireland. The Prime Minister reiterated that the government’s approach and objectives in the forthcoming talks to re-establish the Northern Ireland Executive remained unchanged.
The two leaders spoke about their willingness to continue close cooperation as the UK embarks on leaving the European Union, with no return to a hard border.
The Prime Minister thanked Mr Kenny for helping to make UK-Ireland relations stronger than ever, wished him well for the future and said she looked forward to continuing a close relationship with his successor.
The Prime Minister has now appointed the Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Brokenshire said :
“It is a privilege to have been asked by the Prime Minister to continue to serve as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland – particularly at such a crucial moment for Northern Ireland and the whole United Kingdom.
“The UK Government remains steadfast in its commitment to the Belfast Agreement and to governing in the interests of all parts of the community in Northern Ireland. It provides the basis for Northern Ireland’s continued political progress and as the Government we remain firmly committed to this.
“My immediate priority is reaching agreement on restoring an inclusive power-sharing Executive – which is what the people of Northern Ireland voted for in the March Assembly elections.
“The statutory deadline to restore a functioning Executive to Northern Ireland is 29 June. Time is short but there was real progress in the last round of political discussion. Agreement between the parties can be reached if there is goodwill on all sides.
“Talks must resume again as soon as possible and I will meet the party leaders and Irish Foreign Minister Flanagan in Belfast tomorrow. All those involved must engage in the full knowledge that the deadline of 29 June is final and immovable.
“The UK government will do everything in its power, working alongside the Irish government in relation to those areas where they have responsibility, to contribute to and support the process, steadfastly upholding the principles of the Belfast Agreement and its successors.
“Like the overwhelming majority across the community in Northern Ireland, I believe a devolved government in Belfast is the best way to address the key decisions which affect people’s day to day lives – whether these relate to the economy, security, public services or issues of policing and justice, as well as addressing the legacy of the past.
“A Northern Ireland Executive also has a vital part to play in ensuring that Northern Ireland’s interests are represented as the UK prepares to leave the EU.
“Northern Ireland’s political leaders now have this chance to take control and restore effective power sharing government under the current assembly mandate. If they do not, the power to make decisions passes to others. Their choice in the next three weeks will shape Northern Ireland’s future.”
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
