ONCE the votes are counted and the seats declared, the focus quickly shifts to whether an Executive can be formed, and then who will pick the various government departments.

Thinking about what ministries you should take, or whether you should go into government at all, tends to be overshadowed by the race for who is going to get the posts of First and Deputy First Minister.

Yet parties often end up sinking or swimming on these key strategic decisions, which go far beyond who ends up in the top spots within the Executive.

Let’s take Sinn Féin. Much has been written in recent months about the decline in support they have seen in polls throughout the year.

David McCann: Sinn Féin need to learn lesson of choosing wrong Stormont departments

Brian Feeney: How can unionists still pretend that nothing has changed?

Part of this decline is attributed to a failure to progress key initiatives such as Casement Park and the Good Jobs Bill, and a lack of strategic focus on their Stormont operation.

There has even been speculation about whether the party should be in the Executive at all.

John Manley: Sinn Féin support has slumped and the party is struggling to get back on the front footOpens in new window

As they approach the next Assembly election, Sinn Féin need to focus much more on which departments they........

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