Political News
DUP: Foyle MLA Gary Middleton to step down due to ‘significant mental health challenges’
“I am journeying through a difficult experience and have been for some time,” the Foyle MLA said in a statement on Thursday. He will step down from the Assembly on Friday, giving the DUP one week to select a replacement.
Sinn Fein: Maolíosa McHugh not standing in next Assembly election
Sinn Fein MLA for West Tyrone, Maolisa McHugh, has announced that he will not be standing for re-election in 2027. He has been in Stormont since 2019 when he was co-opted by Sinn Fein.
Starmer announces £17m allocation to support NI households with home heating oil prices
The Executive have criticised a £17m funding package to support households in Northern Ireland with the price of home heating oil, saying it “falls far short of what is required”. The Prime Minister announced the allocation on Monday.
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).