If the Stormont parties do not agree to form an administration in Belfast on Thursday, the UK government assumes a legal duty at midnight to call a snap Assembly election in the North.
If the latest deadline passes, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris assumes a duty to call an election within 12 weeks.Polling day is usually around six weeks after an election is announced, so Mr Heaton-Harris would have until mid-March to call a poll if it is to be held before the 12-week period expires in mid-April.
“I’ll use the next few weeks to carefully assess all options about what happens next and continue to talk to all interested parties before I make any decisions.” The party has made it clear it will only go back into government if significant changes are delivered on the protocol. The DUP has made it clear any agreement that may emerge must meet its tests on removing trade barriers if it is to countenance a return to Stormont.
“The DUP have to shoulder some responsibility for bringing us to the point that we’re in today,” she told BBC Newsnight on Wednesday.
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