How can Gerry Adams be an MP and a TD at the same time? – Updated
The answer is that the Labour Party (specifically Peter Mandleson who was Secretary of State at the time, and George Howarth who was Junior Minister) made it so.
The House of Commons Disqualification Act provided that a person could be an MP and a member of a legislature in any other Commonwelth country. Why is another question. The Disqualifications Act 2000 added the Republic of Ireland to that provision. Why is an interesting question.
Here is the debate when the Bill was considered in Committee of the whole house.
UPDATE
As noted, it turns out that he will resign his seat in Parliament if he gets elected to the Dail, perhaps as a result of conflicting legislation in the Republic (but I don’t know).
no
His supporters think he is God. People speak about the God of the Gaps. Considering the tight corners he has talked himself out of, he is certainly a one for the narow gap.
Rergarding the queastion, he can be an abstentionist MP for all the parliamens in the world. It is not that he actually has to do anything.
joe
As Cynic has said: No, but do you think that is what this is about?
Then again, he would stand up to the EU.
Of course the Tories could change this if the Liberals wanted to, you mean.
This attacking the man is bothering me. I’m no supporter but that is mostly because of the outstanding allegations and the inability of SF to deal with most of them, not just the ones about GA.
Gerry Adams was and may still be vital to the peace process. It is true to say that if it were not for him and Martin McGuinness many more Irish people would have died.
John Hume wins Irelands greatest and Gerry Adams gets abused, that’s not right.
Does this decision make it more likely that Unionism can win back an assembly seat in West Belfast?
Percy, I linked to the SF site at 2:28 pm. I prefer to link to the horse’s mouth.
dodrade
No.
As opposed to the lying, criminal, corrupt incompetent FF filth that prop up the bankrupt free state at the moment you mean ? If the citizens in Louth and everywhere else within the south had any self-respect they’d already be chasing the chancers in Leinster House down to the shoreline at the end of pitch-forks.
And surely you hold the majority of the people of west belfast in contempt for electing Adams in in the first place – why the bogus ‘empathy’ now ?
Are you David Vance in disguise ?
I agree that by and large SF are incompetent – particularly noticeably so on economic matters. In what respect though does this make them significantly different from the sleazy, lying, corrupt, bloated, self-serving, anti-democratic self-satisfied bullshitters of the current Fianna Fail ? Would the re-alignment you have in mind have them included in the ‘good’ or the ‘bad’ camp ?
And while we’re at it – and it by now it should be plain enough that I have no brief for Adams and company – in what respect, if any, does being a self-obsessed narcissist make him significantly different from you ?
It would certainly be better if you didn’t speak of it. Or preferably of anything at all.
He has turned his back on West Belfast and sees no political future there.
If he fails in Louth perhaps he will accept a seat in the House of Lords.
Stranger things have happened!!!!
As a blow in to Crumlin from West Belfast I think this is a huge gamble for Gerry – I hope it pays off.
Over the next week or so we will hear all types of conspiracy theories of why he has done this – if it works it will be a masterstroke.
As for replacement MLA? What about Bobby Storey???
As for MP – Alex Maskey would get my vote – if I still lived there that is.
Yawn!!!!
Less likely – Gerrys personal vote made vote management more difficult – this should cement 5 seats.
How is it a master stroke? Null points until you explain why giving the two fingers to your electorate is any other than a self satisfying stroke wich a 62 year old Catholic should not engage in.
So what part of WB are you from old school?
Martyr or Messiah of d’crisis. What do you think http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/1114/adamsg.html#video
UUP West Belfast quick off the mark;
Adams Record in West Belfast is no recommendation for Dail candidacy – Manwaring
.
I think its a very bold move by Gerry. I wish people would actually move forward than spouting the same sectarian nonsense on here over and over. As a young voter I certainly would vote adams if he stood in Dublin North. Its about time he came and sat in the Dail, and brought that unique GA personality with him.
PS Did anyone see Kelly on Newsnight during the week, very amusing.
If elected, will we see him taking off in his helicopter every morning??
No Mr Crumlin, of course I’m not from West Belfast. You may have noticed the absence of robotic, Andytown News type drivel in all my posts.
Very good point.
Old School, make a profile so we can give you 10/5 for that excellent helicopter jibe.
This has the hint of desperation about it. An attempt to steady the collapsing party machine in the South and inject momentum but in to ‘the project’ in the South.
I suspect it will fail
joe bryce
Sound idea
Just thinking out loud if thats alright? Could it be a case that there’s secret discussions going on to come up with a form of wording that would allow PSF to take their seats in Westminster?
And Gerry being the cute bugger that he is, wouldn’t want to be among the first members of SF to sit their arses where arses were sworn would never to sit.
Of course should that happen another form of words would have to be drawn up to make it look to the grassroots that this was just another ingenious plan in the SF strategy for a United Ireland.
Hoi ….I am the cynic here
Oh you are a suspicious thing. Gerry would never engage in secret talks like that or tyr to manipulate the SF sheep in that way.
Anyway …… who will it be in West Belfast? Mary Lou? Babs? The party will chose this week after Gerry finds time to ‘guide’ them towards the right answer
Essential move if the six counties are to be detatched from the “United” Kingdom”. Get Sinn Fein into power in the Republic and replace the FF and FG turncoats, get out of the Euro and the EC, and in occupied Ulster the overwhelming majority will want to be rid of the Brits who are ruining their economy and oppressing them, and be at last reunited with their brothers abd sisters in the 26 counties. A nation once again.