Michelle O’Neil becomes the first nationalist First Minister in Northern Ireland
MPs have approved the government's plan to revive the power-sharing executive in Northern Ireland, with Stormont now headed by the nationalist party Sinn Féin for the first time.
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill will become Northern Ireland's first nationalist first minister when the power-sharing government is restored this weekend.
https://news.sky.com/story/michelle-oneill-why-northern-irelands-new-first-minister-is-hugely-symbolic-13061972
Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill will become Northern Ireland's first nationalist first minister when the power-sharing government is restored this weekend.
https://news.sky.com/story/michelle-oneill-why-northern-irelands-new-first-minister-is-hugely-symbolic-13061972
It's good to see government back because public services have been struggling for lack of ministerial direction.
Of course the actual appointment is more symbolic than anything else – the FM and deputy FM are joint heads of government and will continue to be.
Of course the actual appointment is more symbolic than anything else – the FM and deputy FM are joint heads of government and will continue to be.
It's definitely good to see NI having a government back to drive things along. I can't help but wonder what this might mean for the country and the United Kingdom as a whole though.
Original post by CatusStarbright
It's definitely good to see NI having a government back to drive things along. I can't help but wonder what this might mean for the country and the United Kingdom as a whole though.
Very little, quite frankly. First Minister vs Deputy First Minister is just a difference of title, they have the exact same powers, so O'Neill's actual power hasn't changed since she was DFM. And despite a Nationalist party now being the largest single party, Unionists overall still slightly outnumber Nationalists in the Assembly (and won marginally more votes at the last election). Both British and Irish governments have said they don't see unification happening any time soon.
Original post by anarchism101
Very little, quite frankly. First Minister vs Deputy First Minister is just a difference of title, they have the exact same powers, so O'Neill's actual power hasn't changed since she was DFM. And despite a Nationalist party now being the largest single party, Unionists overall still slightly outnumber Nationalists in the Assembly (and won marginally more votes at the last election). Both British and Irish governments have said they don't see unification happening any time soon.
Arguably it's quite significant for NI to have a government back after two years without one! It'll certainly take the pressure of the senior civil servant who have been keeping the government departments running all this time.
Original post by CatusStarbright
Arguably it's quite significant for NI to have a government back after two years without one! It'll certainly take the pressure of the senior civil servant who have been keeping the government departments running all this time.
Oh, certainly. And it means NI public services might actually get funded properly, which is obviously positive. But in terms of "what it means for the wider UK", really not much.
Quick Reply
Related discussions
- English language A paper 1 and 2 November 2023 prediction
- PGCE with QTS that uses remote learning?
- Reshuffle: David Cameron is back and Braverman sacked
- Student Finance UK citizen living in Ireland
- British Medical degree vs Irish Medical degree
- The north of England should separate from the south
- year 13-- a gyg blog
- Is the UK's future in peril?
- placement insurance for psychology students
- Help!! UoN or QUB for Medicine as an International.
- UK National Insurance Number
- Primary teacher requirements
- Grant 2023 A Level grading allowances in England similar to Wales/Scotland/NI
- why is scotland, wales and NI getting advanced info for exams but england isnt
- Student Finance NI
- Cameron-comeback, opinions?
- Childcare grant: Can we add/use childcare in Northern Ireland?
- Need help - A level
- Query regarding student finance
- I lost 10 pounds...
Latest
Trending
Last reply 4 days ago
Why is the political left now censorious and authoritarian??Last reply 4 days ago
Is it true that British unis are prejudiced towards degrees from Scottish unis?Last reply 4 days ago
If the Russell Group was now a fair representation of what it still claims to beLast reply 2 weeks ago
TSR Goes Green: How important will the environment be in this year's election?Last reply 2 weeks ago
Research Rankings of universities if you add Research Quality & Intensity percentagesLast reply 1 month ago
Is University of Birmingham prestigious and respected well enough in UK ?Trending
Last reply 4 days ago
Why is the political left now censorious and authoritarian??Last reply 4 days ago
Is it true that British unis are prejudiced towards degrees from Scottish unis?Last reply 4 days ago
If the Russell Group was now a fair representation of what it still claims to beLast reply 2 weeks ago
TSR Goes Green: How important will the environment be in this year's election?Last reply 2 weeks ago
Research Rankings of universities if you add Research Quality & Intensity percentagesLast reply 1 month ago
Is University of Birmingham prestigious and respected well enough in UK ?
