The Northern Ireland Assembly often called Stormont faces significant challenges. It has a distinct role and purpose to provide Northern Ireland with a mechanism to form a voice in local issues. The Assembly’s political disagreements have meant it has not been able to properly function, raising the important question: Will Stormont be abolished one day?
This article will interrogate the challenges associated with the Assembly and its future, as well as, if abolition is indeed an option, what that means for Northern Ireland.
What Is Stormont?
Stormont is the name of the Northern Ireland Assembly. It is located at Stormont Estate, Belfast. The Assembly was established in 1998 following the Good Friday Agreement. The objective of the Assembly was for Northern Ireland to have its own form of local government to manage a number of devolved areas such as education, health, and justice. Stormont is a devolved government and allows Northern Ireland to make its own decisions at a local level, and Parliament in London, normally, deals with national matters, including defense, foreign relations, and monetary policies, etc.
Why Was Stormont Created?
Stormont developed from years of conflict, commonly referred to as “The Troubles,” which brought with it harsh realities into the everyday lives of numerous communities. In that period, Northern Ireland had been, in the eyes of many, an unprecedented conflict situation from around the late 1960s to the late 1990s. Thousands of deaths occurred during that time as a result of violence engaged in by unionists (who wanted Northern Ireland to remain under the UK) and nationalists (who demanded its joining with Ireland). The Good Friday Agreement brought in a peace framework between the two communities and a system of power-sharing.
How Does Stormont Work?
Stormont is based on a power-sharing system. This means that the leadership is shared between unionist and nationalist parties in Northern Ireland. The two biggest parties cooperate to create the government, wherein the First Minister is from one party and the Deputy First Minister is from another. There are 90 elected members known as Members of the Legislative Assembly, or MLAs. These legislators address issues delegated to Northern Ireland. The power-sharing system only works if both parties consent to participate and work together; should either side leave the agreement, the government would not be able to work.
Why Has Stormont Collapsed?
Stormont has collapsed on a number of occasions since 1998. The main challenges have always been political disagreements between unionists and nationalists. These disagreements manifest themselves in rights of identity, language rights, Brexit, and the mechanics and processes of how sharing is developed.
For example:
The Assembly was suspended in 2002 due to a crisis over spying allegations. The Assembly was suspended again from 2017 to 2020, this time with disputes over a renewable energy scheme and some cultural issues. The Assembly was suspended a third time in 2022, also primarily due to disputes over the Northern Ireland Protocol (a Brexit trade arrangement).
Each time that Stormont collapsed, London had to directly govern Northern Ireland.
When Stormont isn’t working, Westminster takes over in the form of direct rule. Direct rule allowed London to make decisions for Northern Ireland, rather than local politicians who are not able to act in the absence of Stormont. While direct rule ensures that there is a government to act, there are many in Northern Ireland who feel that this is a further diminishment of their voice. Westminster does have the legal power to suspend the Assembly or even to abolish it altogether, but this would be incredibly controversial.
Could Stormont Be Abolished?
Legally, Stormont could be abolished. The Assembly was created in law by the UK parliament, and it could be removed in law by the UK parliament. This would not be straightforward, as the Assembly is underpinned by an international treaty in the Good Friday Agreement, and this treaty is between the UK and Ireland. Abolishing Stormont can be viewed as a breach of that agreement. It could also lead to political and civil unrest, as many individuals in Northern Ireland support devolved governance as a component of the peace settlement. So while abolition is legally an option, it is politically risky.
What Would Abolition Mean?
If Stormont were abolished, Northern Ireland would be governed directly by London all the time. Such an arrangement would involve several considerations:
- Local needs may receive less attention
- Local communities may all feel sidelined
- It could increase tensions between unionist and nationalist interests.
- It could put the peace process in danger.
Many observers believe that without Stormont there is a high likelihood that trust between the communities would break down again.
Why Do Some Want Abolition?
Some people believe Stormont isn’t working. They criticize that consistent deadlock bottlenecks the system as not being functional. Some Unionists will at times suggest that London take full control. Local nationalists argue that the failure of Stormont means they can push harder for Irish unity. Critics also say that Stormont is a waste of money. It costs the taxpayer millions each year, whether it is working or not! These arguments make abolition attractive for some. Most leaders accept that, even with all the failures, Stormont is still better than nothing.
Can Stormont Be Reformed?
There is a consensus among experts that reform is preferable to abolition. Some options for reform include:
- Modifying the criteria for how power-sharing functions of one party cannot veto the whole framework.
- Providing Stormont with expanded financial dispensations to have control over its own budget.
- Facilitating new party development and practices that depoliticize the unionist-nationalist dichotomy.
- Reform has the potential to solidify the workings of Stormont and protect against future collapses.
Brexit and the Future of Stormont
Brexit has transformed Stormont’s future into one of ambiguity. The Northern Ireland Protocol created a system of trade checks between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. Unionists maintained that it detached them from Britain, and nationalists argued that it kept the Irish border open. The dispute has meant Stormont has not been functional. And unless something is done about the Protocol, it will have corrosive effects, and Stormont will be weak and unstable.
Public Opinion on Stormont
Polling suggests that citizens of Northern Ireland are frustrated with Stormont. They are overwhelmingly cynical about whether politicians can come together. And yet, most people want Stormont. They would rather have a local assembly making decisions than direct rule from London. This suggests that Stormont is unpopular, but that most citizens do not want it abolished.
The Role of Ireland
The Republic of Ireland has an interest in Stormont. Under the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement, Ireland is a partner in the peace process. If the UK were to abolish Stormont, and it was not agreed upon with Ireland, it would likely undermine relations between the two countries. The international context makes it even less likely that abolition would occur.
Can Irish Unity Replace Stormont?
One other possibility is that Northern Ireland could one day become part of the Republic of Ireland. It would be possible Northern Ireland would have a different form of local government as part of a united Ireland. This option is contested, and it is very speculative. It will depend on future referendums and political considerations.
Why Is Stormont Still Relevant?
Stormont is more than just a parliament. It reflects peace and cooperation. Even when it does not work, it still shows that both communities are meant to share power. Abolishing it would signal to the public that the peace agreement does not matter anymore. This is why most experts conclude it is better to fix Stormont than end it.
