Brown O'Connor Communications Weekly Look Ahead: Week Commencing 13 June 2022

Forward Look                                

  • Labour Leader Keir Starmer MP is expected to meet with local party leaders at Stormont today to discuss the impasse at the Assembly and the NI Protocol.

  • A Bill to override aspects of the NI Protocol has been delayed due to Cabinet divisions over its content. It is expected to be published next week.

  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson MP has held secret NI Protocol talks to appease Conservative backbench Brexiteer MPs and the DUP. These talks are expected to continue next week ahead of the Bill’s publication.

  • The Report on the Independent Neurology Inquiry will be published on 21 June.

  • Valerie Watts has been appointed as interim Chief Executive of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. She will take up the post on Monday.

  • Prime Minister Boris Johnson MP won a vote of confidence on Monday after 211 Conservative MPs voted in his favour. Due to Conservative party rules, another vote will not be allowed to be held within the next year.

  • Education Minister Michelle McIlveen MLA announced that children entitled to free school meals will receive a holiday food grant this summer.

  • Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD has said that he will not support any proposals for his party to end its partnership with the SDLP.

  • People Before Profit MLA, Gerry Carroll, has launched an Assembly recall petition to elect a Speaker and address the cost of living crisis. So far, the SDLP is the only party to have signed the petition.

  • The NI Veterans Commissioner will appear before the NI Affairs Committee on Wednesday on the Governments legacy proposals.

  • The Northern Ireland Chamber Business Awards launched on Monday. Nominations will close on 8 July.

  • The North West Business Awards will be held next Friday 17 June at the City Hotel, Derry.

Other Stories this week

  • Sinn Féin Councillor Sandra Duffy was selected as the new Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council.

  • Eileen Montgomery was appointed as the new Digital Innovation Commissioner for Belfast City Council.

  • Caitroina McCusker has been appointed the new PwC Regional Market Leader for Northern Ireland, replacing Kevin MacAllister.

  • Former Mayor of Derry and Strabane District Council Graham Walker has quit the DUP and will remain an independent.

  • Stormont parties met with the Head of the Civil Service to discuss a future Programme for Government and Budget on Tuesday.

  • The Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 gained Royal Assent on Monday.

Upcoming key political and business events

  • 16 June, NI Chamber’s In Camera with the Department for Infrastructure, The Merchant Hotel, Belfast

  • 17 June, North West Business Awards, City Hotel Derry

  • 21 June, House of Commons rises for Summer Recess

  • 24 June, NI Chamber’s Annual Lunch

  • 30 June, Irish News Workplace and Employment Awards, Titanic Belfast

  • 29 – 30 September, Centre for Cross Border Studies’ Annual Conference

  • 21 October, Belfast Chamber Business Awards, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Belfast

  • 4 – 5 November, Sinn Féin Ard Fheis

Consultations