Theresa May’s government should consider imposing social changes on Northern Ireland, such as gay marriage, in the absence of a deal to restore power-sharing at Stormont, Labour has said.

The shadow Northern Ireland secretary, Owen Smith, said it was up to London to introduce legislation in such areas following the collapse of negotiations.

After the announcement by the Democratic Unionist party (DUP) leader, Arlene Foster, on Wednesday that there was no imminent prospect of a deal with Sinn Féin to bring cross-community regional government back to Stormont, the two parties were engaged in a “blame game”.

The failure of the talks means Northern Ireland has been without a devolved administration for more than 400 days.



In response to the breakdown of the discussions, Smith said it was time May and her government took hold of the situation. He challenged the prime minister to “take forward issues such as equal marriage”.

Human rights organisations and LGBT equality campaigners in Northern Ireland have been calling for Westminster to legislate for gay marriage in the region if it becomes apparent that its introduction is not possible at a regional level in the foreseeable future.

Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK where same-sex marriage is not recognised in law, leading to several attempts in the Stormont assembly to introduce marriage equality. The DUP used a petition of concern to veto these bills, arguing that such legislation did not command enough cross-community support under the complex rules governing power-sharing in Northern Ireland.

Smith also called on May and her minority government to deal with “tough decisions on health, education and infrastructure”.

Amid the furore over the DUP’s decision to pull the plug on the talks, of which May and her Irish counterpart, Leo Varadkar, painted an optimistic picture during their joint visit to Belfast on Monday, gay marriage campaigners attended Stormont on Wednesday. They delivered a Valentine’s Day petition from thousands of local young people demanding marriage equality.

Smith demanded the “veil of secrecy” that hung over the DUP-Sinn Féin negotiations be lifted. He said clarity was needed on what exactly had been agreed between the two parties before they reached an impasse over a proposed Irish language act – a core Sinn Féin demand.



The DUP leadership is said to have been “spooked” by the level of opposition to such an act, not only inside the party but in the wider unionist community.

Smith said it was time for greater transparency if and when talks between the parties resumed.



