Robinson to shuffle ministerial pack
PETER Robinson could reshuffle DUP ministers within days following a poor Euro election result.
Last month, the First Minister indicated all but one of nine DUP MPs are to leave their positions in the Northern Ireland Executive, in a move to counter double-jobbing.
The initiative had expected to be implemented later this year but is now expected to be brought forward after Monday’s European election result.
Although DUP candidate Diane Dodds was eventually elected, she required the transfers of rival, TUV leader Jim Allister.
The DUP vote slumped to 18 per cent, its lowest in a European count, having previously topped the poll on every previous occasion.
DUP MLAs being speculated for a possible promotion include Nelson McCausland, Michelle McIlveen and Simon Hamilton.
Former Sports Minister Edwin Poots could also return to the Executive table.
Out of the current six-member DUP ministerial team, only Arlene Foster does not also serve as an MP.
Reacting to the reduced vote for his party, Mr Robinson believes DUP representatives were punished for being too absorbed in governing Northern Ireland.
He said: “I’m not one who regularly blogs but I did read one comment which I thought was pertinent where it said Sinn Fein have an awful lot to learn from the DUP in terms of governance but the DUP have an awful lot to learn from Sinn Fein in terms of communicating with their base.
“There’s a lot of truth in that.”
