The Latest Breaking News from DUP

Northern Ireland is poised for second election in six months

The former Taoiseach said an election will not ‘change a damn thing’ because the Northern Ireland Protocol is not even on the agenda.

Belfast (AFP) - A deadline to resume power-sharing in Northern Ireland's regional government passed at midnight on Friday, setting the UK-run province on a course to its second election this year amid a political stand-off over divisive post-Brexit trade rules. 

Northern Ireland is set for a second election this year after the biggest unionist party again prevented the region’s government from forming, amid a row over post-Brexit trade rules that has major implications for the United Kingdom.

NI Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris is expected to call the election on Friday.

Irish premier Micheal Martin has said there could not be a return to direct rule from Westminster.

Earlier this week Irish premier Micheal Martin said there cannot be direct rule from Westminster if Stormont collapses.

The question is how voters will react to being forced trudging back to the polls for an election costing £6.5million amid a cost-of-living crisis - and 10 days before Christmas

December 15 is the most likely polling date