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For a short time.. even a day or so it seemed as if the impossible had happened.. Throughout the noise and anger of the Assembly parties mounting up against Arlene Foster - the one group of critics conspicuous by their very obvious absence were Sinn Fein. Instead, at the very beginning, words of caution flowed allowing Arlene Foster to appear to have the continued 'trust' of their 'Executive partners' Could this be the start of something new - a genuine partnership at the heart of government? A post fresh start agreement which was indeed a Fresh start? This illusion however proved temporary as business as usual resumed. Sinn Fein soon found it hard to stay out of the fray or else they would be mutually condemed. To add to this the DUP played party politics with the issue announcing a statement from the First Minister. This was always to be a joint office so such unilateral actions quickly poisoned any political will on behalf of Sinn Fein.
Instead of looking like a political turning point therefore the Executive looks as shaky as ever. The DUP are clearly isolated and this was demonstrated by a mass walkout from the chamber as Arlene Foster got up to make her statement. She claimed this was trial by television however it is clear that all is not rosy in the garden within the Executive.. This illustrates where limitations lie within a coalition executive constrained by power sharing. The office of the Executive should have a JOINT First and Deputy First Minister in charge but this has obviously been overruled on this occasion. The Collective responsibility is also still lacking. What had seemed a somewhat cosy arrangement following the Fresh start agreement seems to be unravelling. The test will be in how it copes with the implications of the Cash for Ash scandal.
Instead of looking like a political turning point therefore the Executive looks as shaky as ever. The DUP are clearly isolated and this was demonstrated by a mass walkout from the chamber as Arlene Foster got up to make her statement. She claimed this was trial by television however it is clear that all is not rosy in the garden within the Executive.. This illustrates where limitations lie within a coalition executive constrained by power sharing. The office of the Executive should have a JOINT First and Deputy First Minister in charge but this has obviously been overruled on this occasion. The Collective responsibility is also still lacking. What had seemed a somewhat cosy arrangement following the Fresh start agreement seems to be unravelling. The test will be in how it copes with the implications of the Cash for Ash scandal.
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