U.K.: London Introduces Budget for Northern Ireland

After a 10-month deadlock between Northern Ireland's main political parties, the British government has stepped in to impose a budget, possibly upsetting Northern Ireland's delicate political balance. Since elections held in March, the main nationalist and unionist parties in Northern Ireland have struggled to form a power-sharing government. With a government still absent, British Secretary for Northern Ireland James Brokenshire announced Nov. 13 that the central government in London was setting a budget for Northern Ireland. Britain needs Northern Ireland's support for tough Brexit negotiations, which in turn requires a functioning government in Belfast. But historical sensitivity around direct intervention by London could trigger unrest in Northern Ireland....