Brexit: NI election deadline pushed back by 12 months in hope of protocol deal

Northern Ireland secretary says holding an election now won’t help restore powersharing

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris (PA Wire)

Rishi Sunak’s government has pushed back a deadline for calling a fresh Assembly election in Northern Ireland by a year.

Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said the local parties now have until 18 January 2024 to form a ministerial executive at Stormont.

If that deadline passes, then the government would come under a legal responsibility to hold a snap poll within the following 12 weeks.