#NORTHERNIRELAND: DUP Ag Minister Ends Border Inspections For UK Food

[world politics news]

Irish Sea border checks on British agricultural food exports to Northern Ireland have been ordered stopped by the Democratic Unionist Party, undermining the hard Irish border.

Agriculture minister Edwin Poots, also the party's Leader, has called on his officials to halt the checks, which are required under the Northern Ireland Protocol.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political

events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#NORTHERNIRELAND: DUP MP Condemns "Climate Hysteria" In UK Budget

[world politics news]

A senior Democratic Unionist Party MP has accused the UK government of “climate hysteria” as he demanded an “explanation” over the relative spending level on Northern Ireland.

Responding to chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Budget, chief whip Sammy Wilson told the UK House of Commons he was “encouraged at the path which he has outlined."

But the MP for East Antrim warned those people in low paid and medium paid jobs “are going to face a rather bleak period in the near future." 

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#NORTHERNIRELAND: Sinn Fein Urges Commitment To NI Protocol

[world politics news]

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald has said calls to abolish the Northern Ireland protocol are “not grounded in reality” as she urged the DUP to commit to “real powersharing” with her party at Stormont.

In a keynote address in the Balmoral Hotel in west Belfast to fellow Sinn Féin members, Ms McDonald claimed that a DUP “failure to accept rights and equality” was a contributory factor in the “political storm” that has hit unionism in recent days.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#NORTHERNIRELAND: Foster Steps Down As DU Party Leader After Internal Revolt

[world politics news]

Arlene Foster has announced her resignation as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party and as Northern Ireland's First Minister after an internal revolt.

Foster said she would step down as DUP leader on 28 May and as first minister at the end of June.

It comes as she was facing a revolt among her party's representatives.

More than 20 DUP Northern Ireland Assembly members and four MPs had signed a letter voicing no-confidence in the leadership.

Mrs Foster became party leader in December 2015.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#NORTHERNIRELAND: Belfast Is "Awash With Drugs" Says Lawmaker; Calls For Higher Police Presence

[world politics news]

A Northern Ireland lawmaker is calling for a greater police presence on the streets of Belfast after witnessing drug use in public during a New Year's Day stroll with his young children. Christopher Stalford, a member of the Northern Ireland Legislative Assembly, says he was walking along the Connswater Greenway in mid-morning when he witnessed several incidents of cannabis use in public. The Democratic Unionist Party lawmaker said, "Frankly, I have the impression that Belfast is awash with drugs."

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#UK: As EU Leaders Say "No" To May On Renegotiating Brexit, DUP Leader Warns Prime Minister She Must "Stand Up To" EU

[world politics news]

BREXIT ROUND UP:
During her visit to Brussels today, UK Prime Minister Theresa May was told that the EU would not renegotiate the Brexit withdrawal agreement, which would allow the UK to leave the EU trading bloc. At the same time, the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party of Northern Ireland, Arlene Foster, said May must "stand up to" the EU, and not "roll over" as she previously has done, instead making it clear that a "backstop" with Northern Ireland - allowing a "hard border" and EU rules to remain in effect, even after Brexit - must not happen.

That part of the May's deal has rankled Conservatives as well as the DUP, a party that holds the key to May remaining in power. Foster could be a "kingmaker" after May leaves office, and is already suggesting replacements for her when she steps down, or is forced out by a Labour Party motion of "no confidence." Analysts say the DUP may vote with Labour to remove May and force new elections.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#UK: Prime Minister Theresa May Survives No Confidence Vote, But She's Weakened

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Theresa May has won a vote of confidence in her leadership of the Conservative Party by 200 to 117. After securing 63% of the total vote, she is now immune from a leadership challenge for a year, but she still faces calls to resign, and analysts say she still has survived the vote weakened. Dangers to her power include her partners in government, the Democratic Unionist Party of Northern Ireland, which could still withdraw their support, causing her government to fall. Speaking in Downing Street, she vowed to deliver the Brexit "people voted for" but said she had listened to the concerns of MPs who voted against her.

[FULL STORY HERE AND HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#UK: Northern Ireland DUP Party Leader Threatens PM May Over Brexit Barriers In Deal

[world politics news]

Amid tense negotiations over a Brexit deal, the head of Northern Ireland's Democratic Unionist Party is warning Prime Minister Theresa May not to agree to a deal that puts up trade barriers between them and the rest of the UK.

The warning by Arlene Foster could manifest itself in the party's members voting against a budget in the House of Commons in coming week, which could bring down May's government. The DUP are coalition partners with May's Conservatives.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#NORTHERNIRELAND: Parties Believed To Be Close To Compromise On Restoring Assembly

[world politics news]

The government believes there are fresh hopes of reaching an agreement between the two main political parties in the North and restoring the power-sharing executive after months of deadlock. Despite public grandstanding by Sinn Fein after the Democratic Unionist Party's offer of an olive branch on the Irish language act last week, government sources say Gerry Adams's party is willing to reach a compromise.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Pictured: Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster

#NORTHERNIRELAND: "Continued Devolution" Of Powers To N. Ireland Within Reunification An Idea Gaining Favor

[world politics news]

Achieving a united Ireland could involve “transitional arrangements” short of unity that could include continued devolved government in Northern Ireland, Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy recently told a peace conference - an idea that has gained favor recently as a possible way to achieve unification.

#NORTHERNIRELAND: Finance Min. Arlene Foster Chosen Leader Of Democratic Unionists, Will Be First Min. In January

[world politics news]

Finance Minister Arlene Foster was the only candidate to replace retiring Democratic Unionist Party leader Peter Robinson, and will become the First Minister and head of government for Northern Ireland in January. She'll be the first woman leader of Northern Ireland.

#NORTHERNIRELAND: Frmr. Unionist Fin. Min. Blasts Sinn Fein Praise Of Greeks

[world politics news]

Sinn Fein EU Parliament member Martina Anderson said the people of Greece had "stood up for Ireland, Spain, Portugal and all of Europe." But former Democratic Unionist Party Finance Minister Sammy Wilson said Anderson's praise of Greece, "should send a shiver down the spine of every sensible person in Northern Ireland."

Pictured: Sinn Fein MEP Martina Anderson.

#NORTHERNIRELAND: Flag Of The Irish Republic Flown Over N. Ireland Assembly Angers Unionists

[world politics news]

Unionist politicians are demanding an investigation into why Ireland's tricolored flag briefly flew this week over Stormont, the Northern Ireland Assembly building. The display of flags and emblems on official buildings in the province - which remains part of the United Kingdom - remains a sensitive issue. Contractors are beleived the culprits.

#NORTHERNIRELAND: Democratic Unionist Party Wants Jail Time for Animal Abusers

[world politics news]