The short answer is YES! There are a lot of areas that are very applicable to the exams:
- The DUP has had its first openly gay representative elected. Alison Bennington was elected in Newtownabbey sparking a rare open debate in the party ranks. Jim Wells has criticised the party for allowing her to run showing the traditional and conservative side of the party. East Belfast DUP MP, Gavin Robinson meanwhile has taken a more open approach and suggested it is a 'Good news story.' Arlene Foster, not surprisingly, has attempted to sit firmly on the fence suggesting that it does not mean their policy on marriage equality has changed. It is an unusual and unexpected step however which seems to suggest some form of new thinking, at least in certain parts of the party. Remember, this is a party who are known for their stubbornness but they should be considered for their pragmatism and adaptability at times. At one time the thought of Martin McGuinness and Ian Paisley sharing power would have been laughable.
- Alliance breakthrough: There is no doubt that the elections were a good one for Alliance. They now sit at 11% which takes them over the 10% line for the first time in terms of electoral share. They are still the 5th largest party but they are closing the gap on the SDLP and UUP. Why the rise? Alliance suggest a new wave of younger, more open minded voter coming through to which Orange and Green are just colours. Realistically, there is a tired apathy over the old unionist and nationalist parties after so much lack of government. People may at last be starting to vote with their feet; Brexit may also play a part and lack of strong party drive on behalf of the UUP and SDLP. Some will put this boost in votes down to voter apathy and protest votes. Time will tell if this is a more long term process.
- Sinn Fein and SDLP? Sinn Fein have not lost out on these elections but they certainly haven't been a success story either. They have lost several seats and saw the SDLP re-emerge in Derry. They have also saw People Before Profit emerge again in West Belfast as strong opponents. This will be worrying signs for Sinn Fein. The murder of Lyra McKee in Derry, despite having no Sinn Fein connections and being roundly condemned by the party has undoubtedly encouraged some voters to return to the SDLP - at least for now. The SDLP have had a reasonably good election after poor results in the past couple of elections. Their increase in Derry has been welcomed by the party and may reduce the in fighting which has been apparent over the links with Fianna Fail recently.
- The UUP have had a poor election performance after doing well in the past set of council elections. The party is struggling to get its voice heard and the new leadership is not as prominent in the public sphere as Mike Nesbitt had been.
- On a UK basis - The election was a DISASTER for the Tories with the biggest council losses since the 1990's! The Tories lost over 1,300 seats! This has led to huge pressure on the leadership of Theresa May who still vows to continue and puts the reasoning behind the results as Parliaments rejection of her Brexit deal. Labour meanwhile also fared poorly. They should have been gaining ground on a governing party that is clearly divided and split - Yet it is clearly divided and split and voters are unsure of what it stands for. The main beneficiary is the Liberal Democrats who have been resurrected - leaping by over 700 seats!
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