Political News
Sarah Owen and Baroness Ruth Anderson are new ministers at Northern Ireland Office
Sarah Owen and Baroness Ruth Anderson will join Chris Bryant, the new Secretary of State, at the Northern Ireland Office. They have been appointed to the government by Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
Sinn Fein: Gerry Kelly not contesting next Assembly election
Gerry Kelly was first elected to the Assembly in 1998 and has now decided he will not put his name forward for re-election next year. The Sinn Fein MLA will remain in post until the Assembly dissolves next year.
Chris Bryant appointed as Northern Ireland Secretary
Chris Bryant has been promoted to Secretary of State for Northern Ireland by the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham. He replaces Hilary Benn at the Northern Ireland Office.
Elections
2027 Assembly Election
2024 General Election
2023 Local Council Election
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)
