Chris Heaton-Harris: Northern Ireland Secretary won’t stand in General Election

Northern Ireland will have a new Secretary of State at some point this year after Chris Heaton-Harris announced his decision not to seek reelection in the upcoming UK General Election.

Heaton-Harris has served as head of the Northern Ireland Office since 2022, but released a statement on Saturday confirming he won’t contest the MP seat he has held for 24 years in Daventry at the next election.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has yet to fix a date for the election, but under parliamentary rules one must be called this year. Polls show his Conservative Party significantly behind Labour currently.

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In a letter addressed to Sunak, Heaton-Harris confirmed it was his intention to remain in the Secretary of State post until the election, as he says he loves the ‘people, place and job’.

“Liz Truss appointed me as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and you kindly reappointed me into that role,” the letter says.

“I genuinely want to thank you for giving me the chance to continue in what I believe is the best job in Cabinet.”

Much of Heaton-Harris’ time in office at the NIO has been marred by political stalemate at Stormont, with the DUP pulling out of power-sharing arrangements over post-Brexit trading arrangements. His letter lists the negotiation of the Windsor Framework as one of his headline achievements.

“Working with you I helped negotiate and deliver the Windsor Framework, which both solved many of the major practical issues created by the Northern Ireland Protocol, put in place as we left the EU, and helped reset our country's relationship with our European neighbours.

“Then after long and detailed negotiations within Northern Ireland we produced the Command Paper ‘Safeguarding the Union’ which resulted in the return of Stormont and devolved government to serve the people of Northern Ireland.

“I strongly believe the conditions now exist for Northern Ireland to thrive, with privileged access for manufactured goods into the EU single market, whilst being an integral part of our UK internal market and being able to benefit from the international trade deals we negotiate; it finds itself in a remarkable favourable position - and as Northern Ireland thrives, our Union will strengthen.”

Heaton-Harris goes on to say he has 'unfinished business' in his role as Northern Ireland Secretary.

"I know we are not far from a General Election, an election in which I will do everything I can to see you returned as Prime Minister.

"I would be honoured if you allowed me to continue as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland until that time, as there are still a number of pieces of unfinished business I wish to complete and I love the people, place and job, but obviously would understand if you feel it best to replace me."

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