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| 31-January-2026 |
Stormont is a broken, hapless administration whose rambling incoherence is excruciating
This year MLAs have spent just nine minutes debating legislation in the assembly chamber — yet could find time to discuss everything from the traitors tv show to Donald Trump and 'blue Monday'
Few U-turns in Stormont's history have been both as sudden and significant.Last Thursday, John O'Dowd's Department of Finance announced the outcome of 'Reval 2026' - a revaluation of business properties across Northern Ireland to decide how much each should pay in rates, the local property tax jointly controlled by Stormont and councils.
On Monday, O'Dowd stoutly defended the policy from criticism. He lambasted MLAs who queued up to question him and insisted he was standing over the policy.
Just 72 hours later, he abandoned this approach. It was a humiliating reversal of a major government policy, and has additional significance because it came from Sinn Féin's most capable Stormont minister.
What happened this week is significant in itself. But its far greater significance lies in what it reveals about the Executive.
Things in the Executive are bad, and they're getting worse.
Continue @ Bel Tel.
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