Assembly election

NEARLY a year on from the last assembly election and less than 60 days out from the local government elections, it is fascinating to see how public sentiment has not moved away from either of the big three parties in Northern Ireland.

THE NORTH'S chief electoral officer is to step down ahead of May's local government election.

THOUGH inevitable, the secretary of state's decision to push back yet another Assembly election deadline was still met with a mixture of frustration and resignation.

THE SECRETARY of state has said he has no immediate plans to call a Stormont election and will instead examine "all options" for re-establishing the power-sharing institutions.

MUST there be an assembly election in the coming months? The assumption has taken hold with remarkably little debate.

THE Boundary Commission has reversed proposals to remove Downpatrick from the South Down parliamentary constituency, but recommended that wards to the north and east of the county town become part of Strangford.

EVEN the proverbial dogs in the street knew Chris Heaton-Harris would perform another fudge yesterday.

EDWIN Poots has denied vilifying Professor Colin Harvey after challenging the academic on social media over his views on the IRA’s campaign of violence.

A STORMONT election could be called in late February to allow time for the EU and UK to strike a deal over the protocol, according to reports.

THERE’S a pent-up energy and expectation in the Sinn Féin ranks, coupled with a justifiable sense of frustration.