More triple jobbing = less work at Westminster - Allister
09 June 2008
Commenting on the DUP reshuffle of executive Ministers, Traditional Unionist Leader, Jim Allister MEP said:-
"While the DUP needs a reshuffle of policy more than a change of personnel, there are aspects of this reshuffle which require comment.
The increase in triple mandates is bad news for the quality and constancy of the representation of Unionism at Westminster. In a year we have moved from 3 double-jobbing MPs serving also as Ministers, to 5. We've recently seen DUP MPs absent from key votes in the House of Commons on the Lisbon Treaty and the Embryology Bill. No one can adequately do 2, never mind 3 jobs - MP, MLA and Minister.
I fear in consequence of the appointment of even more MPs as ministers - itself a reflection on the value placed on "mere" MLAs - Northern Ireland will be even more short-changed in the coming months in parliamentary representation.
As for the sacking of Mr Poots, my only surprise is how he came to be appointed in the first place!"
