Sinn Fein attend Westminster once a month and have coffee in the canteen – Colum Eastwood
By David Thompson
Published 23rd May 2024, 11:53 BST
Updated 23rd May 2024, 13:22 BST
Sinn Fein's abstentionist MPs aren't aren't known or taken seriously in London and they attend Westminster on a 'rota' and sit and have coffee in the canteen, according to the SDLP leader.
Questioned on the BBC's Nolan Show about the difference between his party and Sinn Fein on Gaza, Foyle MP Colum Eastwood said the difference is "I'm going to say it in Parliament. I'm going to go and vote for it. I'm going to do something about it.
When it was put to him by Stephen Nolan that Sinn Fein go to Westminster, they just don't take their seats, Mr Eastwood said: "They're on a bit of a rota. They come once a month and sit and have coffee in the canteen. That's what Sinn Fein do in Westminster. They're not counted, they're not taken seriously.
"Nobody even knows who their MPs are over there. That's… not a criticism. I totally respect their right to be abstentionists. I don't understand it. I don't get it. I think people want you to go and stand up and vote and speak on issues like Gaza and everything else. I think people are quite happy that finally we have people there who are doing that."
The SDLP leader has questioned Sinn Fein's approach to Westminster
The SDLP leader has questioned Sinn Fein's approach to Westminster
Sinn Fein MPs do not take their seats in Parliament as the refuse to swear an oath of allegiance to the monarch. They are therefore not entitled to full pay – but are able to claim for expenses such as travel, accommodation and office and staff costs.
DUP MPs have raised Sinn Fein’s boycott of the national institutions on various occasions in Parliament. Last year, when the DUP was under intense pressure over its own boycott of the institutions at Stormont, the North Antrim DUP MP Ian Paisley raised the issue in Parliament with the outgoing Secretary of State.
Mr Paisley said: “On the issue of his numerous meetings – I believe dozens of meetings now with Sinn Fein – can the Secretary of State explain to the House if he has taken now the opportunity to challenge Sinn Fein about their boycott of the institutions here and when is he asking them to come back here and do their job here?”.
Chris Heaton-Harris said the views of the government on people who don’t turn up to Parliament are well known, but said he has to work with all parties.
by _BornToBeKing_
6 comments
The shinners are probably the only party in Westminster who do what they say they’re gonna do if elected.
Badger beard must be worried about his chances this turn round.
Trust SF to find a way to have the highest carbon intensity breakfast in Europe.
Out of curiosity, given they don’t engage with that aspect of government and can’t participate by virtue of their party ethos..
Wouldn’t the vote be better used elsewhere in terms of Westminster elections?
Surely it’s better to have someone there (of whatever stripe) actively participating, lobbying for the collective interests of the jurisdiction and forming alliances with similarly (issue) inclined parties in government when key policies that could effect or impact things locally are being debated, *rather than not* ?
Seems like a missed opportunity..
> Nobody even knows who their MPs are over there. **That’s… not a criticism.** I totally respect their right to be abstentionists. I don’t understand it. I don’t get it. I think people want you to go and stand up and vote and speak on issues like Gaza and everything else.
Well, that pretty much _is_ a criticism.
Now, I ‘totally respect’ Eastwood’s right to criticise Sinn Féin and abstentionism; he’s got the electoral fight of his life ahead of him now against them. So why softpedal and pretend you’re _not_ criticising them? Is he going to not-criticise-criticise them for the next six weeks?
> I think people are quite happy that finally we have people there who are doing that.
Nothing new about nationalist MPs taking their seats in Westminster, Col. Or not taking them. Absentionism was something novel in… 1917.
Let’s get to the real question, is the coffee in the canteen worth the trip?
I’ve sometimes wondered how SF might be treated in the Commons if they DID attend. I’m guessing that given the general pig ignorance of the place they’d variously be ignored, talked over and shouted down. Their votes might make a difference in a few cases but generally they’d be wasting their time.
How many WM MPs even know who the SDLP or Alliance are? As for the DUP, the chamber empties during NI questions & we all know what a hames they made of the Theresa May deal. NI MPs represent 18 out of of 650 UK constituencies (less than 3%). Calling in for coffee is about right.