The DUP and Sinn Fein have been playing the same game for the entire decade since the SAA, they blame the other for any breakdown in government. It works well for them, no-one can say either party has suffered electorally over the past 10 years as a result of the strategy, rather it has been incredibly successful for both.

Since the Good Friday Agreement was signed both parties have swooped in from the fringes to overtake the UUP and SDLP as the largest Unionist and Nationalist parties. The recent clean sweep of Westminster seats by the DUP and Sinn Fein shows the true extent of their dominance. The PRSTV (Proportional Representation Single Transferable Vote) system tends to produce a more pluralistic reflection of the electorate, but the priorities of the electorate can be seen in the dominance of Sinn Fein and the DUP with the Westminster FPTP (First Past The Post) system.

Whilst this current period of no-government isn’t the first time we have faced similar situations since the start of power sharing in Northern Ireland, it is the longest we have gone without government for a number of years. The break-down of relations has been framed as a fundamental split over issues like the Irish Language Act and the RHI scandal, but really this could be viewed as posturing for two fairly new leaders establishing themselves as the hardliners that much of their base demands. With the passing of the baton from Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness to Arlene Foster and Michelle O’Neill there was always going to be a period of uncertainty and hostility as the new leaders of Unionism and Nationalism clashed. They couldn’t appear to giving in to the other side too much, or appear too happy to co-operate, lest they run the risk of being displaced by more hard-line politicians.

But this is not the main reason for the lengthy and continued stand-off that has seen NI running rudderless for the past 9 months. Neither the DUP or Sinn Fein have suffered electoral consequences of their actions. In a recent podcast interview, Kellie Armstrong of the Alliance Party lamented the lack of urgency displayed by both major parties to restart government at Stormont. To my mind this is why we haven’t seen an urgent push towards government (that and the Tories have been somewhat preoccupied with Brexit and losing their majority) — neither party can hold onto the extreme in their base by compromising after spending months blaming them for the breakdown in government, nor can they do a deal without being seen to drive a hard bargain. With talks now reportedly progressing and the Belfast Telegraph reporting that a “thaw” in relations is under way we can only hope that differences can finally be put aside in favour of governing.

However, the public frustration at the lengthy negotiations, stand-offs, and endless missed deadlines seems unlikely to cause a major shift in voting intention. Sadly, Northern Ireland’s government will continue to be marred by the influence of the extremes of both communities whilst the DUP and Sinn Fein remain the largest parties. And from the looks of things, that isn’t going to change without a serious catalyst.

By Josh Hamilton

Editor in Chief at www.thejist.co.uk