Northern Ireland assembly and executive Flashcards
What are the 4 main issues that make government and politics in NI different from the rest of the UK?
- Communal conflict
- Distinctive party system
- Security separate system of government
- Security
Define nationalist
Supports the incorporation of Northern Ireland into the Republic of Ireland
Define unionist
Supports a continued union between GB and NI
How does communal conflict make NI politics unique?
The main political divide is between unionists and nationalists. Unionists tend to identify as British and Protestant, whereas nationalist tend to identify as Irish and Catholic
How does the distinctive party system make NI politics unique?
Elections are contested between unionists and nationalists with the main issue being the constitutional status of NI. The UK parties therefore tend to not field candidates there
How does security make NI politics unique?
Terrorist campaigns killed more than 3,600 people and British soldiers patrolled the streets for decades. The IRA has adhered to a ceasefire since 1995, but splinter groups remain active
How does the separate system of government make NI politics unique?
Only part of the UK to have its own parliament between 1922 and 1972. Modern day devolution is distinctive so that nationalists and unionist can power share
What did the 1998 Good Friday agreement do?
Established power sharing devolution and required the UK and Irish governments to amend their constitutions to clarify the status of NI
How members are there in the NI assembly?
90
What electoral system does the NI assembly use?
The proportional system of STV
How much power does the NI assembly have?
- Primary legislative powers in alot of policy areas
- No major tax raising powers, but responsibility for corporation tax was devolved in 2015
- Some legislative measures demand cross community support
Who leads the NI executive?
It is led jointly by first minister and deputy first minister. The first minister is from the largest party and the deputy first minister is from the second largest party. This ensures power sharing, as both the unionist and nationalists will be represented in government
How are ministerial posts allocated?
On a proportional basis according to party strength
What two parties have shared power since 2007?
- The DUP, the largest unionist party who originally opposed the Good Friday Agreement
- Sinn Fein, a nationalist party which had close links to the IRA
Why was STV introduced?
To ensure that all sections of a divided society were represented
