North Antrim recall petition, 2018

The North Antrim recall petition was a 2018 recall petition for the United Kingdom parliamentary constituency of North Antrim, in Northern Ireland. The petition was the first of its kind in UK parliamentary history.[1] 9.4% of the electorate signed the petition, short of the 10% required.

The petition was formally commenced after Members of Parliament (MPs) voted in favour of a critical report against the North Antrim MP Ian Paisley Jr.[2] The petition process, if it had been successful, would have ended in the vacation of the constituency and the moving of a writ for a by-election, under the rules of the Recall of MPs Act 2015.

By approving the critical report against Ian Paisley Jr, MPs approved the committees recommendation to suspend him for 30 days.[3] This is one of the longest bans ever to be handed down at Westminster. According to the House of Commons library, it is the longest suspension since 1949 which is as far as online records go.

Background

Under the regulations of the recall procedure, 10% of the electorate of North Antrim had to sign the recall petition, which would have caused a by-election. Ian Paisley Jr would have been permitted to stand in the by-election as a candidate, and had indicated his intent to do so if recalled.[4][5][6]

Signing Arrangements

Signing of the recall petition ran from 8 August to 19 September 2018 and was available in three centres on weekdays from 9am to 5pm with opening hours extended to 9pm on 6 and 13 September. The designated petition signing venues were:[6]

  • Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre, Ballymoney
  • Seven Towers Leisure Centre, Ballymena
  • Sheskburn House Recreation Centre, Ballycastle

There being only three such venues, where up to ten are permitted by law, drew criticism from the Ulster Unionist Party and Sinn Fein.[7]

Eligible voters could also have applied for an option to sign by post.[6]

Result

The result was confirmed in the early hours of Thursday 20 September, with 7,099 people (9.4% of the electorate) signing the petition[8], below the 10% required, which would have been 7,543.[9][10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "How North Antrim could oust Ian Paisley: Plans to open by-election petition centres". The Irish News. The Irish News. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  2. ↑ "Order of Business 24 July 2018" (PDF). House of Commons, Parliament. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  3. ↑ "Ian Paisley: MPs vote to suspend North Antrim MP for 30 days". BBC News. BBC News. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  4. ↑ "Ian Paisley 'has been punished enough' says Sammy Wilson". BBC News. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  5. ↑ "Ian Paisley could lose North Antrim seat if 10% of voters sign Petition of Recall". Belfast Telegraph. Retrieved 24 July 2018.
  6. 1 2 3 Walker, Stephen (13 August 2018). "Paisley supporters back suspended MP". BBC News. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
  7. ↑ "Three centres selected for Paisley petition". BBC News. 9 August 2018. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
  8. ↑ Recall Petition Public Notice of Outcome of Petition Elections Office of Northern Ireland
  9. ↑ 'Hallelujah' - Ian Paisley survives recall petition to remain North Antrim MP Belfast Telegraph
  10. ↑ Ian Paisley: DUP MP keeps seat after recall petition BBC News
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