Monthly Archives: October 2019

A cohort of local MLAs will take their seats at Stormont today for the first time in over 1000 days in a bid to stop abortion reforms. The session, perceived as largely symbolic, follows a recall petition in protest of the impending legislative changes. In a move supported by the DUP, Baroness Nuala O’Loan urged the Secretary of State to reestablish the Assembly on or before Monday 21 October, the date by which the UK Government is obliged to legislate. MPs approved amendments to the NI (Executive and Formation) Act, including a relaxation of local abortion laws and the allowance of same sex marriage, in July. Some 27 DUP MLAs, supported by TUV Leader Jim Allister, UUP Leader Robin Swann and his party colleagues Robbie Butler and Roy Beggs provided the 30 signatures required to recall the Assembly. The return to the chamber will see MLAs discuss the matter, however … Continue reading →

This afternoon’s recall of the Assembly in a bid to oppose the coming into being of Westminster legislation on abortion and same sex marriage has been dismissed as “cynical”and a DUP ‘political stunt’ by both the SDLP and Sinn Fein respectively. Northern Ireland’s legislation on the issue will change today unless devolution is completely restored. However, the preventative purpose of today’s gathering of MLA’s is a futile exercise because of the absence of a Northern Ireland Executive. In July this year, the passing of the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc) Act 2019, included an article which stated that the Westminster changes to Northern Ireland law on same sex marriage would become reality here “unless an Executive in Northern Ireland is formed on or before 21 October, 2019).” Preventing the changes to same sex marriage and abortion laws would also necessitate the election of a Stormont Speaker who has cross-community support. … Continue reading →

                                                                   Image caption                                    Abortion and same-sex marriage laws will change unless it is restored by midnight on Monday                              NI ‘s Stormont Assembly will sit for the first time in nearly Unionist parties, three years after being recalled in a last-ditch attempt to stop the reform of abortion laws. , who oppose next changes to abortion laws NI has been without a devolved government since January 2017 when the power-sharing parts split. Abortion laws will change at midnight unless devolution is reclaimed (see Without an executive in place, Stormont can not affect the laws. It is unlikely that it will be able to ************* Why have politicians been recalled? Stormont’s power-sharing government collapsed a bitter row between the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and Sinn Féin. MPs in the House of Commons Baroness O’Loan, who opposes any reform of the existing abortion law                                                                                                                           Image … Continue reading →

Media captionThe Democratic Unionist Party walked out of the chamber after attempts to derail the impending law changes failed A last ditch attempt at the Stormont assembly to stop abortion law changes in Northern Ireland has failed, with the law set to change at midnight. Unionist parties, who oppose the upcoming liberalisation, triggered the assembly’s recall with a petition. But politicians were told the assembly could not do any business until a speaker was elected with cross-community backing. That became impossible when the nationalist SDLP left the chamber. AS IT HAPPENED: A dramatic day at Stormont Reaction to failed bid to stop abortion law changes As a result no nationalist representatives remained, meaning no new speaker could be elected and the sitting was suspended after less than an hour. Some unionist assembly members had been attempting to introduce the Defence of the Unborn Child Bill 2019, which they hoped to … Continue reading →

A rally against abortion law reform took place earlier this year A rally for abortion law reform from earlier this year Political leaders have been urged to “face up to their responsibility” as MLAs return to Stormont in a last-ditch bid to stop reform of Northern Ireland’s abortion law. Anti-abortion group Both Lives Matter said 31 MLAs had signed a petition to force a recall of the Assembly to discuss a motion to put the issue back in the hands of local politicians. However, a ministerial Executive will only be formed once the DUP and Sinn Fein agree to re-enter into a coalition. Naomi Connor, Alliance for Choice co-convener, said the recall would not deter those fighting for the rights of women in Northern Ireland. “The motion has one sole agenda: to obstruct the fulfilment of the human rights of women,” she said. “It is not a genuine attempt to … Continue reading →