Arlene Foster led the Democratic Unionist Party for six years and was at the head of the party when it played a crucial role in propping up Theresa May’s Conservative government. But her departure has led to a period of turmoil in the DUP.
Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party has named Jeffrey Donaldson as its third leader in the space of 25 days.
Donaldson, 58, was the only person to register his candidacy and therefore won the leadership race without the need for an election.
He replaces Edwin Poots, who stepped down last week after being ousted after he proposed Paul Givan as First Minister after agreeing a deal with Sinn Fein over a controversial Irish language bill.
DUP chairman Maurice Morrow confirmed in a statement Donaldson “will be the next leader.”
Arlene Foster resigned as leader of the DUP in April after months of criticism of her handling of the post-Brexit situation.
She stepped down on 14 June and Poots tried to resist caving in to Sinn Fein and the British government on the issue of Irish language protection legislation.
Donaldson is the DUP’s leader in the House of Commons and MP for the Lagan Valley but he has indicated in the past that he might step down from that role in order to become First Minister.
Donaldson – who had two cousins killed by the IRA during The Troubles – has been derided by loyalist Jamie Bryson as “a standard bearer for roll-over Unionism.”
Britain’s Prime Minister, Theresa May, poses for a photograph with Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Leader Arlene Foster, Deputy Leader Nigel Dodds, and Chief Whip Jeffrey Donaldson, outside 10 Downing Street, in central London, Britain June 26, 2017.
“I believe that if I am elected leader, I can… put the Democratic Unionist Party on the path to victory at next year’s election,” Donaldson added.
Donaldson’s job will be to rebuild the DUP’s credibility ahead of Northern Ireland Assembly elections in May 2022.
The DUP will be defending 28 seats and currently has one more than Sinn Fein – the former political wing of the Provisional IRA.
The DUP and Sinn Fein have shared power since the Assembly was formed in 1998, as part of the Good Friday Agreement.
But the DUP has always held the upper hand.
Sourse: sputniknews.com
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