TAKE a deep breath, exhale slowly and allow yourself a small smile because it’s almost over. Within a few short days the election battle will be over, the counts will be underway and we’ll know the winners and losers of the 2017 Assembly election.
Ahh, but there is a wee rub. Under normal circumstances, the weeks after the election would be spent allocating ministries, deciding committee posts and negotiating over a Programme for Government. The chances of that happening this time are looking slim.
The weird world of waffling and redlines means that there will be a series of arguments over who will go into government with who, with all the brinkmanship that Secretary of State Brokenshire can cope with.
Will an Executive be formed? Or will we face Direct Rule? There may be a tendency amongst the electorate not to care whatever happens, as long as something happens.
Everything is on the table as far as Sinn Féin is concerned, with an Irish Language Act and marriage equality included in the demands before Michelle O’Neill will take her party into government.
Do they sense blood in the water as the DUP reels around in the wake of RHI?
The ‘smaller’ parties vying for attention in this slagging match are hoping that they can still benefit from any cynicism that may arise from the alleged scandals swirling around.
Whatever the outcome there are a set of people who might care about their pay packets. Last week our MPs received a pay rise, bringing their salary to around £76k. If they bunch together maybe they could afford an ad in the Metro newspaper!
