When Stormont was established in 1921, almost every domestic issue was transferred to the new Parliament in Belfast. Given that history, in the late 1990s, when power was devolved to Scotland and Wales and then restored to Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Assembly was given more power than its Celtic cousins. Indeed, unlike Scotland and Wales, Northern Ireland even boasts its own civil service!
So, what do MPs from Northern Ireland actually have power over? For the answer you need to read Schedule 2 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, which sets out what are called ‘reserved matters’ they are:
- Foreign Policy
- Defence
- Taxation
- National Insurance and Pensions (all other social security payments are devolved)
- Immigration and Nationality
- Monetary policy
- Elections
- Nuclear energy (all other energy is devolved)
- Space
- National honours
So what is the point in voting for MPs who will have so little say over much of our everyday lives?
No matter what part of the UK you live in, Parliament is still sovereign and while power may be devolved, Westminster still sets the tone for the nation. How we interact on a world stage, what countries we enter into treaties with, how we engage with those at war, who we help across the world, how we treat people seeking refuge, the amount of take home pay we enjoy, our pensions, the operation of the Northern Ireland protocol, are all issues that will be debated and decided in Westminster. These issues define what kind of nation the United Kingdom will be and how we will be viewed across the globe.
This election will not change our health service or education system in this part of the UK, but it will set a course for the next five years in how the countries that make up the UK treat each other and speak to the world. That is why it is crucial that we elect leaders of character, who can be trusted to set the agenda for how the UK will act on a national and international stage.
To understand the character of the candidates we need to ask them questions and a hustings event is a great place to find out what politicians believe. If you are holding a hustings or attending one, it is important to ask candidates seeking election how they will vote and debate these important issues of our constitution and statecraft.
If you want to at hold an event for your church, check out our hustings guide here to find out what needs to be covered to run a successful hustings. Also, please don’t forget to notify us and advertise your hustings here at engaGE24, so that those looking for a hustings to attend can find yours!
