Overview

This bill extends the deadline for forming a Northern Ireland Executive after the May 2022 Assembly election and gives the Secretary of State the power to call another election sooner if an Executive isn't formed.

Description

The Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill amends the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation etc.) Act 2022. Key changes include:

• Extending the deadline for Ministerial appointments: The deadline for appointing Ministers in Northern Ireland is extended from 19 January 2023 to 18 January 2024.
• Giving the Secretary of State power to call an election early: The Secretary of State can now propose a date for another Assembly election even before Ministers have been appointed, before the January 2024 deadline.

This effectively allows the UK government to set a new election date if power-sharing negotiations within Northern Ireland fail to produce a functioning executive.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending figures. However, calling a new election would involve costs associated with running the election itself. There may also be indirect costs related to ongoing governance in Northern Ireland and the continued absence of a functioning executive.

Groups Affected

• Northern Ireland political parties: The bill significantly impacts their ability to form an executive and could influence future election strategies.
• Northern Ireland citizens: The lack of an Executive impacts the delivery of public services and may lead to political instability.
• The UK Government: The bill gives the Secretary of State greater control over the political situation in Northern Ireland and responsibility for setting the date for any future elections.

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