Jeffrey Donaldson ‘not contemplating’ Sinn Fein becoming largest NI party

By Rebecca Black and David Young, PA

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has said he is “not contemplating” a situation where Sinn Fein overtakes the DUP to become the largest political party in Northern Ireland.

Parties are gearing up for the next Stormont Assembly election, which is scheduled to take next May – but could be called earlier.

Sinn Fein president Mary-Lou McDonald hit out at the DUP at her party’s Ard Fheis over the weekend after unionists refused to confirm if they would nominate a deputy First Minister to work alongside a Sinn Fein First Minister.

Sinn Fein President Mary Lou McDonald 

While Northern Ireland’s First and deputy First Ministers are a joint office, the position of First Minister has only so far been held by unionists.

“The challenge for the DUP and political unionism is to respect the democratic decision of the people,” Ms McDonald said.

Sir Jeffrey reacted to Ms McDonald’s comments, brushing off Sinn Fein as “not his priority”.

“We’re months away from an election, why would I be deciding at this stage on my tactics,” he told reporters.

“I will make my position absolutely clear when the time is right but right now, I’m not fixated on what Mary Lou McDonald says, I’m fixated on what the people I represent have to say about their healthcare, their education, and yes, about this (Northern Ireland) protocol.”

Sir Jeffrey said he is “going all out to win the election”.

“I’m not contemplating a situation where Sinn Fein win that election,” he said.

“I don’t think that’s what most unionists want and I’m calling on unionism to unite to ensure that doesn’t happen. That’s my priority.”