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Politics
Greg Evans
Jun 18, 2021
Mark Marlow/PA Wire
Edwin Poots’ reign as the leader of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party sensationally came to an end on Thursday after just 21 days on the job.
The 55-year-old creationist quit after an emergency meeting was held at the party’s headquarters in Belfast. Although he didn’t immediately address the media, a statement was later released where Poots stated that he will remain in his post until a new leader has been elected. He added:
“This has been a difficult period for the party and the country and I have conveyed to the chairman my determination to do everything I can to ensure both unionism and Northern Ireland is able to move forward to a stronger place.”
This comes amid an internal party revolt over Poots’ decision to negotiate a deal with Sinn Fein which allowed Paul Givan, who has never been DUP leader, to become the first minister of Northern Ireland, succeeding Arlene Foster in the role. Sinn Fein had reportedly demanded a commitment from Poots over a timetable for implementing an Irish language legislation.
After Thursday’s meeting, it had reportedly become clear that Poots’ position had become untenable after allegations emerged that he failed to consult his colleagues over Givan’s nomination to become the first minister.
The DUP is expected to move quickly to appoint a successor to Poots, with many eyes now focusing on Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, who challenged Poots earlier this year.
Regardless, Poots’s remarkably short period as leader of the party has naturally become fodder for memes and jokes with many trying to put into context his short spell in the role with other historical events and his own beliefs.
Edwin Poots' 20 day tenure as DUP leader in context https://t.co/87FlAVjMqx— Peter Donaghy (@Peter Donaghy) 1623963646
“He was homophobic, misogynistic, racist, and arrogant”, says Sammy Wilson in touching tribute to Edwin Poots. https://t.co/jq6aedkEZ4— Dr Harold News (@Dr Harold News) 1623965375
If you believe God created the world in 6 days then 20 days must seem like an awfully long time to be leader of a p… https://t.co/cR3SciFFfL— Andrea Catherwood (@Andrea Catherwood) 1623966096
Even worse for Edwin Poots than it looks. 20 days in his time is about 10 minutes.— Sam Freedman (@Sam Freedman) 1623962916
Edwin Poots was DUP leader for 0.00055% of the time since Earth was created according to his beliefs.— Nicholas Whithorn (@Nicholas Whithorn) 1623963194
starting to question whether Edwin Poots ever actually existed now— dave ❄️ 🥕 🧻 (@dave ❄️ 🥕 🧻) 1623970614
Edwin Poots believes that the earth has existed for around 6,000 years. Most scientists believe it is about 4,543,0… https://t.co/n6n0FoJBXR— Keith Burge (@Keith Burge) 1623964955
Arlene Foster buying rounds in an Enniskillen pub right now https://t.co/5llY8UZkP4— Brendan Scott (@Brendan Scott) 1623932633
Remember Edwin Poots' name. It'll come in handy for the end of year quizzes.— Julia Hartley-Brewer (@Julia Hartley-Brewer) 1623960803
There’s only one thing missing from this soap opera… Arlene Foster’s return. Nothing - and I mean nothing - would s… https://t.co/4LE1tr4OZd— David Blevins (@David Blevins) 1623998602
Noted opponent of access to reproductive health Edwin Poots didn’t even last the duration of one menstrual cycle.— Karl Brophy (@Karl Brophy) 1623961264
Say what you like about Edwin Poots, but back when he became DUP leader, the pears in my fridge were far too hard t… https://t.co/wmBMVaSX5k— John Finnemore (@John Finnemore) 1624003387
Edwin Poots’ heatmap. #DUPMeltdown https://t.co/u8FgpP5KJV— Oisín Ó Murchú (@Oisín Ó Murchú) 1623961208
Edwin Poots really said https://t.co/gcIfIYn86r— Sean Bernard (@Sean Bernard) 1623960668
DUP leadership hustings https://t.co/yc9PvNszcY— Michael Fry (@Michael Fry) 1623960643
DUP should get Sam Allardyce in as caretaker. Steady the ship till the end of the season. See who is available in t… https://t.co/ZKD1lrCkdT— Neil Delamere (@Neil Delamere) 1623945192
There were a fair few who thought he might be in line for the manager’s job at Tottenham Hotspur, given the ongoing turmoil at the north London club.
After resigning from the DUP, Edwin Poots has been approached by Tottenham https://t.co/FCl1Xze1TF— Richie McCormack (@Richie McCormack) 1623961063
BREAKING: Daniel Levy has approached Edwin Poots after talks with Gennaro Gattuso broke down https://t.co/EoZEeTxxnN— Nooruddean (@Nooruddean) 1623960353
And yes, of course, there are Simpsons memes.
The Edwin Poots era. https://t.co/lWKeyp2Pvb— Cathal Mac Coille 😷 (@Cathal Mac Coille 😷) 1623961936
Scenes at Stormont https://t.co/W3BW5M8qvH— Ireland Simpsons Fans (@Ireland Simpsons Fans) 1623955251
*At the DUP meeting* 'My name is Mrs. Retsof and I come from...erm, some place far away' https://t.co/awhjDbEont— Philly Byrne (@Philly Byrne) 1623965578
This about sums it up.
No one in NI is doing any actual work now. Everyone is making memes. That’s it.— ruth allum (@ruth allum) 1623933290
Perhaps the most reassuring part of all this is that if you think you aren’t very good at your job or are lacking in confidence, then at least you can say you lasted longer than a leader of a political party in the UK.