[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-68071624](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-68071624)
The deadline to hold an assembly election if there is no executive formed is to be extended until 8 February.
The very short extension will provide more time as the DUP is yet to decide whether to return to power sharing.
The party has been blocking devolved government since February 2022 over post-Brexit trade rules for NI.
It is facing pressure to say if it will back a deal to end the 23-month impasse at Stormont.
The most recent legal deadline expired last week, with no breakthrough as yet in talks between the DUP and the government.
On Monday, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said he was continuing to engage with Number 10 and that he was working to “finalise” discussions.
Legislation to be fast tracked
In the absence of a decision being taken by the DUP, the government must legislate to push back a requirement for fresh assembly elections and forming an executive.
DUP officers make no decision on Stormont return
Stormont next steps will ‘protect public services’
The 12 DUP members key to Stormont’s return
Legislation to do that is to be fast tracked through the Commons on Wednesday, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said.
The government has already passed similar legislation on several occasions.
“Tomorrow I will be introducing the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill to allow for the reformation of Stormont,” Mr Heaton-Harris added.
Chris Heaton-Harris
IMAGE SOURCE,PACEMAKER
Image caption,
Chris Heaton-Harris said he would legislate to protect public services
“The bill only has a single clause: to extend the period of time Stormont can legitimately come back until the 8 February.
“I am committed to restoring devolution and significant progress has been made towards that objective. I believe that this bill, with the constrained timescales, will be sufficient.”
Mr Heaton-Harris has previously indicated that even if Stormont is not restored by the deadline, he will not seek to call another election and would instead “legislate to protect public services”.
Some parties have questioned what that would look like, insisting that there can be no return to direct rule from London and that the Irish government would have to play a bigger consultative role.
Even once a decision is taken by DUP officers on whether to back a deal, Sir Jeffrey has given a guarantee to his party executive – which is made up of more than 100 members – that they will be able to discuss any decision made.
Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill, who would be entitled to the first minister role in a restored executive, said it was “time for action”.
“My message to the DUP is to work with us, get round the executive table and make a difference to people’s lives,” she said.
by isfuathliomreddit
19 comments
I think him and the DUP know more than they’re letting on. Something going on behind the scenes
>Rishi Sunak’s UK government plans to extend the deadline to restore the Northern Ireland assembly to Feb. 8, **to** **allow more time** to resolve a dispute with the Democratic Unionist Party before fresh elections would have to take place.
It’s been 2 years, i doubt 2 more weeks is going to make a difference.
Does he understand what a deadline is?
What the fuck is the point of this clown?
He’s kind of powerless here. Call an election and it’ll be the same result.
Not sure what solves this impasse. Other than the DUP wising the fuck up.
They’ve offered the DUP the chance to rename Northern Ireland as part of a back to work package..wee Jeff has to consult the party elders & check the seven tests but obviously no ‘running commentary on internal party affairs’..
Yer man is a wee dick. Bring back the fucking troubles, at least stuff got done then.
Superduper double secret probation. Farce for the history books.
At this point can we just dig up Mo Mowlam, even a dead Mo Mowlam is better than this wet wipe.
Trying to read between the lines here, I think the SOS knows that if we have an election, we are just going to end up with the same SF/DUP govt, which gets us nowhere. Alliance might get marginal gains compared to their last great outing.
The DUP will just use that as an excuse to stay out of the Executive saying the electorate back their decision.
I at least hope thats what they are trying to avoid.
At the request of their inbred cultchie Overlords, the Free Ps decided to never work with a taig ever again after what happened to Paisley.
Let that be a lesson to you all!!!!!
Chris Heaton-Harris must be one of the least impressive men I’ve ever seen. He just has absolutely nothing about him. No brains. No wit. No charisma.
Hahahaha. Jesus we we fucked.
He knows an election would give the same results and therefore is a waste of time. However, keeping us in limbo by constant extensions is idiotic and spineless.
Wish I could get this many extensions at work or in uni, deadlines are just suggestions apparently
Is this what direct rule was like? Arbitrary decisions taken by some unelected (by us) bureaucrat from London. Arranging us at whim, for their convenience.
As futile as it would be, I want my damned election. It’s the closest I’ll ever get to being able to kick the DUP up the arse.
DUP still bad.
The fact they keep moving the deadlines, shows they aren’t serious. The DUP have had two YEARS. Westminster needs to start growing a pair.
Jeffrey has him bent over backwards