Political News
Executive ‘in disarray’ over Finance Minister John O’Dowd’s draft multi-year budget
Finance Minister John O’Dowd has published his draft multi-year budget. However, the DUP has said the budget has not received Executive approval, and the allocations “are deeply flawed and will require significant changes if they are to command our support.”
UUP: Mike Nesbitt to step down as party leader
Mike Nesbitt is standing down as leader of the Ulster Unionist Party. He made the decision ahead of the 2027 Assembly election, saying he cannot commit to full-time politics until the end of the next mandate.
Explanation: What are the three different levels of government in Northern Ireland?
Northern Ireland has three different levels of government as a devolved region within the UK: Local Councils, the Northern Ireland Assembly, and the UK Parliament.
Your Representatives
Councils are responsible for local services such as waste collection, leisure centres, parks, planning, environmental health and community development. They cannot make laws. Councillors are elected using Single Transferable Vote (STV) every four years.
The Assembly is the devolved legislature for Northern Ireland, based at Parliament Buildings, Stormont. There are 90 members that are elected from 18 constituencies. The MLAs make laws on devolved matters such as health, education, justice, infrastructure and agriculture. MLAs are elected every five years using STV.
The UK Parliament is the highest legislative authority and NI is represented by 18 Members of Parliament. MPs make decision on reserved and excepted matters, which include defence, foreign policy, immigration and taxation and welfare. MPs are elected every five years in a general election using First Past the Post (FPTP).