Double jobbing proposals were a ‘disgraceful interference’

LOCAL politicians have welcomed the turn-around by the British Government to withdraw proposals to bring back double jobbing.

Also known as the dual mandate, double jobbing was banned in 2016 and was a direct result of the expenses scandal at Westminster. However the proposals, which would have seen MPs being elected to the Stormont Assembly but at the same time retaining their seat in the House of Commons, were scrapped this afternoon (Wednesday).

Earlier in the week, DUP leader, Jeffrey Donaldson was forced to deny his party had done a deal with the British government to bring back double jobbing.

With the dual mandate having been proposed to last until the next Westminster election, due in 2024, it would have removed the prospect of a by-election. That effectively meant that Jeffrey Donaldson could have stood in the May Assembly elections safe in the knowledge he could retain his Westminster seat and thus avoid a potentially tricky by-election in Lagan Valley – a by-election for which Alliance had been preparing a serious challenge.

“This was a political move, as opposed to something that would enhance democracy,” the UUP’s Derek Hussey summed up.

“If Stormont is working properly, it’s a busy schedule that any MLA, much less a minister, would have.

“For the life of me, I do not understand – but it would seem that for some there was a political expediency in this.”

Sinn Féin’s Órfhaith Begley MP previously dubbed the move “disgraceful interference in the upcoming Assembly election.”

She had previously called for the plans to be withdrawn saying, “Plans to restore double-jobbing by allowing MPs to also become MLAs are unacceptable and must be scrapped.

“This is disgraceful interference in the upcoming Assembly election and a desperate attempt by Boris Johnson and Tory ministers in the NIO to facilitate Jeffrey Donaldson’s return to the Assembly and prop up the DUP.”

Six of the North’s political parties signed a joint letter on Tuesday to Mr Johnson calling for the plan to be withdrawn.

Speaking in the wake of that letter, West Tyrone MLA, Daniel McCrossan remarked, “You simply cannot be in two places at once. In normal circumstances, this move by the British Government would be shocking. But with Boris at the helm it definitely isn’t. Cosying up to the DUP will get him nowhere especially given that the vast majority of Northern Ireland party’s are against this move.”