Will Northern Ireland ever have devolved government again?

[asblindasabat]

Just made me wonder, how long can NI go without a functioning government before Westminster have to intervene and impose direct rule? They seem to keep pushing back the election deadline as well.

That said, there was no government for three years between 2017-2020 and there was no direct rule I guess.

Bump

How long is a piece of string?!

Although it's not their primary motive for refusing to select a deputy first minister, I strongly suspect the DUP may be very happy to let Westminster make the decisions for the next year or two - there are many very difficult choices looming in terms of funding for public services in NI and they'd not be keen to take the flak for those, even though they've been instrumental in letting things get as bad as they are.

They’ve extended the election deadline till next year!! Looks like we will be without government for another while yet!

I lived in Belgium for a while and they were without a government for over 500 days (parties couldn't form a coalition) and everything seems to work just fine - essentially it was being run by civil servants with no politicians to mess it up

That's bad news for public services then, CH-H seems determined to cut spending and they're already on their knees.

I honestly have my doubts as to whether or not the Northern Ireland Protocol will ever be modified, and even if it is, god knows if the DUP will be content enough with it to go back into government.

I really do fear that there will never be devolution in Northern Ireland again.