Political News
Hilary Benn sacked as Northern Ireland Secretary by Andy Burnham
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Hilary Benn, has been sacked by the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham. He was appointed by Starmer after the general election in 2024.
Reaction as Andy Burnham is appointed Prime Minister
Party leaders in Northern Ireland are reacting as Andy Burnham formally takes over as prime minister. Sir Keir Starmer was forced out of Downing Street by his own MPs after securing a landslide majority in 2024.
UUP to establish ‘independent confidential process’ over Jeffrey Donaldson’s time in party
The Ulster Unionist Party has announced that it will appoint an ‘independent external organisation’ to allow people to share information about Jeffrey Donaldson’s time within the party.
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Councils are responsible for local services such as waste collection, leisure centres, parks, planning, environmental health and community development. They cannot make laws. Councillors are elected using Single Transferable Vote (STV) every four years.
The Assembly is the devolved legislature for Northern Ireland, based at Parliament Buildings, Stormont. There are 90 members that are elected from 18 constituencies. The MLAs make laws on devolved matters such as health, education, justice, infrastructure and agriculture. MLAs are elected every five years using STV.
The UK Parliament is the highest legislative authority and NI is represented by 18 Members of Parliament. MPs make decision on reserved and excepted matters, which include defence, foreign policy, immigration and taxation and welfare. MPs are elected every five years in a general election using First Past the Post (FPTP)
