Donaldson blindsided but ‘not angry’ after Boris U-turn on double-jobbing

The DUP MP was viewed as the main beneficiary of the government amendment to a bill being debated in the Lords on Wednesday night, as all of the other main parties in Northern Ireland have campaigned against the reintroduction of ‘double-jobbing’.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson shocked the Commons on Wednesday when he unexpectedly announced the government’s intention to withdraw the amendment to the Northern Ireland (Ministers, Elections, and Petitions of Concern) Bill.

During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Conservative MP Simon Hoare said: “The vast majority of people and indeed politicians across Northern Ireland believe that whatever the question, double jobbing is not the answer.

“Can I urge the Prime Minister to listen to the majority and ask him not to move the government amendment in the other place later today?”

Mr Johnson replied: “I am advised that I think the amendment in question is going to be withdrawn.”

Following the announcement, Sir Jeffrey said he had no prior knowledge of the government’s U-turn.

“The government put forward a proposal, an amendment to a bill in the House of Lords. It is their proposal, and at the end of the day they make the call on whether or not they move that amendment,” he said.

“I haven’t spoken to the government about this so you will have to ask them their rationale.

“We felt that the amendment offered an opportunity, perhaps for a small number of senior representatives to continue to have a voice at Westminster while we are trying to resolve issues such as the [NI] Protocol.

“But, be that as it may, I am looking forward to the Assembly elections. We have a plan for Northern Ireland and I’m looking forward to getting out onto the doorsteps and talking to people about that plan,” he told BBC Radio Ulster’s Evening Extra programme.

On Tuesday it was revealed that six Stormont parties had penned an open letter to the PM, calling on him to drop the proposal to allow the reintroduction of dual mandates.

The letter was signed by the leaders of Alliance, UUP, SDLP, Sinn Fein, Green Party NI and People Before Profit.

They wrote: “As leaders of a wide spectrum of Northern Ireland political parties, we are writing to stress our firm opposition to your government’s amendment in the House of Lords on the reintroduction of dual mandates/double-jobbing, including on a time-limited basis.

“The roles of MP and MLA are full time roles, and it is not possible for someone to simultaneously do full justice to both.”

When asked if he felt like the loser as a result of the amendment withdrawal, Sir Jeffrey said: “It would have been open to any Member of Parliament and I at least had the honesty to indicate that if the amendment had been put forward, and approved, I would have considered of availing of that opportunity for the short term that it would have covered. This is mainly a transitional arrangement until the next general election.”

Speaking on the same programme, Alliance MP Stephen Farry said the government realised it was going to lose the vote in the Lords.

“I think it was staring a defeat in the face,” he said.

“The government is battling a whole range of problems at the moment, this is another headache that they don’t need.”

The North Down MP added: “I’m not sure it is a matter of huge principle for them... but clearly in the end, the views of the people and the parties in Northern Ireland have prevailed and that is something to be welcomed.

“And it does show what we can achieve when the parties come together on very important points of principle.”

Meanwhile, the government’s withdrawal of its double jobbing plans is a “victory for dialogue and engagement,” Lord Empey has claimed.

“This is a victory for positive dialogue and engagement with Government and other parties,” the Ulster Unionist peer said.

“You don`t have to threaten to crash the institutions for unionism to have influence with government. There is another way.”

Lord Empey added: “Positive engagement with government and parties is the way forward for unionism as we redouble our efforts to solve the problems created by the ill-judged Protocol by putting forward positive plans to ensure long term stability for Northern Ireland and its institutions.”

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood described the government’s decision as a “humiliating defeat” for the DUP.

The Foyle MP said it was the pressure applied by most of the party leaders in Northern Ireland, and Labour, that led to the government’s change of direction.

“The British Government’s withdrawal of the double jobbing amendment is a humiliating defeat for Brandon Lewis and the DUP. The truth is that the amendment should never have been tabled in the first place, it commanded no cross party or cross community support in Northern Ireland and was a clear attempt to give a leg up to one party.

“This victory is a direct result of the political pressure brought to bear on the Tories by leaders in the North and follows constructive discussions with our friends in the Labour Party.”

Mr Eastwood added: “Jeffrey Donaldson and the DUP will have to account for their own cynical moves over the last number of days but it is clear from the public response that there is no support for politicians squatting on seats to protect their own political position. We will remain vigilant against any future attempt to reintroduce these proposals.”

Alliance leader Naomi Long MLA said that DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson should “now commit fully to the Assembly.”

Mrs Long said: “I welcome the Prime Minister finally waking up and listening to the will of the overwhelming majority of people and parties in Northern Ireland.

On Twitter, Sinn Fein vice-president and deputy first minister Michelle O’Neill said: “The amendment from the NIO on double-jobbing was a crude political manoeuvre to shore up the DUP, giving them an each way bet.

“It was roundly criticised & rightly opposed by the majority of parties. It proves yet again that the DUP are out of step, and the Tories out of order.”

The TUV said the government’s U-turn as “welcome news”.

The party’s East Londonderry candidate and party chairman Jordan Armstrong said: “Whatever the reason for the government’s decision to withdraw an amendment which would have seen double jobbing return to Northern Ireland this is welcome news.

“Hopefully our MPs will now focus on the serious job they have been given to do at Westminster rather than suggesting that they need more to do.

“Northern Ireland is already robbed of proper representation due to Sinn Fein’s disgraceful policy of abstention.

“We don’t need unionist MPs treating their work in the Mother of Parliaments as anything other than a full-time job.”

Mr Armstrong added: “Now that the issue has been put to bed I look forward to the election campaign being fought on serious policy issues, not least the Protocol”.

A UK Government spokesperson said: “The Government’s proposed amendment was for dual mandates to be strictly time-limited by allowing a dual mandate only until the Westminster election following an MP becoming an MLA. This was to enable the smoother transition between legislatures should an MP wish to take a seat in the NI Assembly, supporting the overall objectives of the bill in promoting greater stability at Stormont.

“The amendment was designed in response to proposals from the Lib Dem peer and former leader of the Alliance Party in Northern Ireland, Lord Alderdice, which attracted cross-party support during earlier debate and could have meant an indefinite dual mandate. The principle of the amendment was also backed by the previous Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in June.

“However, we recognise that strong views have since been expressed among parties in Northern Ireland, and we have taken the decision to drop the amendment.”

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