Stormont future all hingeing on fill-in
THE deal that restored powersharing in Northern Ireland hinged on the backing of Donaldson and the resignation of the DUP leader is sure to prompt questions over its future.
Much will depend on who ultimately replaces him.
East Belfast MP Gavin Robinson, who has stepped up to become interim leader, has been a long-time ally of Donaldson and a firm backer of the return to Stormont.
Mr Robinson would be an early favourite to become the permanent successor and his elevation would be unlikely to prompt a change in the party’s recent enthusiastic backing for the devolved institutions.
However, his election as leader is not a foregone conclusion and it remains to be seen if other candidates, potentially more sceptical of the return to power-sharing, will emerge.
The identity of the new leader could have ramifications for DUP deputy First Minister Emma Little-pengelly.
She was very much a Donaldson pick as the party’s nominee to jointly lead the Stormont coalition.
Ms Little-pengelly and Sinn Fein First Minister Michelle O’neill have received significant praise for their leadership of the administration since taking charge of the resurrected executive in February.
Question marks will also now hang over the DUP’S grip on the Lagan Valley parliamentary constituency, given the possibility of a by-election.
Donaldson’s majority was significantly cut in the last General Election amid a surge by the Alliance Party and the DUP will likely face a tough fight to hold the seat whenever voters next go to the polls.
Appointed leader in the summer of 2021, Donaldson made the call early the following year to withdraw then DUP First Minister Paul Givan from the Stormont Executive. That move collapsed power-sharing, as part of the party’s protest strategy against post-brexit economic barriers.