Northern Ireland

Arlene Foster's departure sparks fears over Stormont's future

Arlene Foster announces her resignation
Arlene Foster announces her resignation Arlene Foster announces her resignation

ARLENE Foster's departure has sparked concerns about the sustainability of the Stormont institutions with the next DUP leader expected to escalate opposition to the Irish Sea border.

As the first minister announced her planned departure yesterday, she stressed the value of devolution and government by locally-elected ministers.

Mrs Foster will step down as DUP leader on May 28 and as first minister at the end of June. She has also signalled that she intends to leave politics.

So far, nobody has yet to put their name forward as the next prospective DUP leader, though contenders are expected to emerge over the coming days.

Announcing her exit plans, Mrs Foster said it had been a privilege to serve as first minister and to represent Fermanagh-South Tyrone.

She said that while there had been "difficult and testing times" for the executive, she stressed the value of a devolved executive, especially during the coronavirus pandemic.

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"As I prepare to depart the political stage it is my view that if Northern Ireland is to prosper then it will only do so built on the foundations of successful and durable devolution – that will require continued hard work and real determination and courage on all sides," she said

Mrs Foster acknowledged there had been "ups and downs" during her tenure but that she had always sought to "lead the party and Northern Ireland away from division and towards a better path".

"There are people in Northern Ireland with a British identity, others are Irish, others are Northern Irish, others are a mixture of all three and some are new and emerging – we must all learn to be generous to each other, live together and share this wonderful country," she said.

"The future of unionism and Northern Ireland will not be found in division, it will only be found in sharing this place we all are privileged to call home."

Soon after Mrs Foster made her announcement, Sinn Féin deputy leader Michelle O'Neil warned her successor to be aware of the desire for progressive political change.

She wished the first minister and her family well but highlighted the widespread desire for "social reform and political change".

Ms O'Neill said power-sharing required "genuine commitment from all political leaders".

"Within the executive and assembly, Sinn Féin will work with all parties to progress social reform, political change and economic prosperity - but we will robustly oppose damaging policies or regressive throwback politics of the past," she said.

"The public and electorate want the parties to enter into a new era and make politics work in their interests."

The Sinn Féin vice-president's words reflected growing concern that Mrs Foster's successor may adopt a hard line on social issues, while intensifying opposition to the protocol by refusing to engage with the north-south bodies. It's thought such an approach would likely frustrate power-sharing and ultimately raise questions about the institutions long-term stability.

SDLP leader Colum Eastwood wished Mrs Foster and family good wishes but said regardless of personnel changes, the "fundamental problems haven't changed, and neither have the solutions".

Irish News columnist Chris Donnelly said Edwin Poots, the bookies' favourite to succeed Mrs Foster, had "frequently courted controversy", most recently when he suspended protocol checks at the north's ports.

"Only months earlier, he provoked anger when seeming to imply Catholics carried greater blame for the spread of Covid across the north without producing any credible evidence for such an outlandish claim," he said.

However, Mr Donnelly said that unlike his predecessor or other potential leadership contender Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, Mr Poots is "steeped in DUP tradition"

"He has a connection with grassroots that ironically would make it easier for him to take the party in the direction required to move unionism out of the corner it finds itself in today - if he were so minded," he said.

Meanwhile, DUP representatives said to be in the running to replace Mrs Foster paid tribute to their departing leader.

Mr Poots thanked the first minister for her "service, sacrifice and commitment", while East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson said she had been a "constant source of encouragement".

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said Mrs Foster had worked hard over many years and that he "valued the constructive engagement, notwithstanding our differences".

"She has served during what has been a period of considerable change and challenge in Northern Ireland," he said.

The Fianna Fáil leader also said he had had a "positive working relationship" with Mrs Foster over the years.

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said Mrs Foster was someone he knew very well from the time they both served as tourism ministers.

“Her closing statement today really resonated with me – this understanding we must have that people in Northern Ireland are Irish, British, Northern Irish, or a mixture of all these things, and that we have to be generous to each other and understand each other,” he said.