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Proceeding contribution from Andrew Mackinlay (Labour) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 21 November 2006. It occurred during Debate on bill and Committee of the Whole House (HC) on Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Bill.


Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Bill

From my perspective in Essex, there is an elephant trap for the constitutional parties—the Ulster Unionists, the Democratic Unionist party and colleagues in the Social Democratic and Labour party. If Sinn Fein does not deliver in a short time, surely it faces a dilemma. It may wish to maximise its strength, but it will go to the electorate without delivering or being prepared to play ball. There is a danger that ambiguous and confused signals will be sent to the various electorates. The parties want elections, and they want to maximise their seats to show their strength, but they will not enter a coalition with people who have not signed up to the police and court services.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
453 c430 
Session
2006-07
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Codes of practice Accountability Administration of justice Conduct Devolution Elections Languages Ministerial powers Northern Ireland Police Northern Ireland Assembly Political parties Ministers Northern Ireland government Police Service of Northern Ireland Schools School choice Secondary education Sinn Féin Democratic Unionist Party St Andrews Agreement District policing partnerships
Legislation
Northern Ireland (St Andrews Agreement) Bill 2006-07
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk