IN just over six months’ time – March 19 or 20 2027 – the Assembly will dissolve in preparation for an election on May 6.

Although the present Assembly was elected in May 2022, it wasn’t until February 3 2024 that a deal was reached to appoint a First and Deputy First Minister.

In the 30 or so months since then, not much has happened in legislative terms; primarily because the relationship between Sinn Féin and the DUP remains as cantankerous as it was in the period between May 2022 and February 2024.

What we won’t see in the days before this mandate ends is an agreed document from the Executive parties – Sinn Féin, DUP, UUP and Alliance – setting out their joint achievements since the last election.

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That, when you think about it, is an odd omission. These parties have shared office regularly in the past and are almost certain, barring an electoral catastrophe, to share it again after May next year.

Surely there must be a number of things they would be happy to take joint responsibility for, to present as evidence of their ability – albeit only occasionally – to actually govern in consensus and common cause.

The next mandate will include the 30th anniversary of the........

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