The Executive Forms - An Analysis into the Cabinet and it's Programme for Government

With the official presentation of the Programme for Government earlier today, the sun has now risen on what will be the first Nationalist led Executive since the era of Sinn Fein’s u/Trevism in 2018. The SDLP’s narrow lead in the Assembly being secured in what was a rather impressive display of campaigning and drive in comparison to their contenders despite the seemingly foregone conclusion prior that the office of First Minister would again be inhabited by the Alliance Party following results day. Given they enjoyed an almost 10% lead in all available polling. But few will argue that u/SoSaturnistic will be anything but effective and driven if their tenure as Deputy First Minister prior is anything to go by and that the SDLP will be an effective Executive leader.

Today, we’re going to take a closer look into the 19th Executive’s Programme for Government and it’s newly assembled cabinet. Special points will of course be rewarded for avoiding collapse.

SDLP Leader u/SoSaturnistic will inhabit the leading Executive Office this term in the first Nationalist-led Executive since 2018

Unsurprisingly, the biggest policy influence throughout the Programme for Government is the SDLP. Saturn is arguably one of the most proficient legislators in Stormont’s history and would’ve had a steady hand in policy drafting regardless of the SDLP’s position but there is certainly a lot more SDLP here than there was ever LPNI initially during the past two Executives. However there are still elements of the Alliance and UUP’s vision for Northern Ireland, albeit a little more expanded.

Starting with Justice, the elements of the agenda seem largely in-keeping with the objectives of the previous Executive. Focusing on positive reforms aimed at making justice more transparent and appealing to a people that have always treated it with at least some wide suspicion. Police recruitment quotas based on religious identity may be almost incomprehensible to other nations but in NI, it certainly holds prudence. The Justice Section also hopes to combat familiar problems such as abusive behaviour and the expansion and protection of rights. The UUP’s policy is also particularly present as a declaration is made to “bring in new powers to allow courts to compel persons to explain the sources of any suspicious, unexplained wealth which may be the fruit of money laundering or criminal activities'' in order to combat potential paramilitary activity. A keystone of what was an admittedly lacking justice policy from the AEIX.

With a noted consideration for previous precedent, the Justice Portfolio has been designated by agreement to the Alliance Party Leader and Deputy First Minister u/ohprkl. Given Justice’s culturally and politically important position within the confines of the Executive, it’s heartening to see that this Executive has chosen a religiously ‘neutral’ figure to carry out it’s agenda as opposed to relocating the position to the largest party.

Finance next and overall, not a particularly stimulating read in comparison to other legislative fragments. Most policies are either continuation of previous policy or pledges to ensure other policies from other sections are appropriately funded. However in all fairness, one imagines that an Executive made-up of the SDLP under Solidarity, the APNI under Phoenix and the UUP under the Conservatives would struggle to find enough common ground to deliver striking and engaging economic change. Perhaps, for the sake of our dear Executive… A little piddle around the edges of the lake of ambition is enough to ensure no one attempts to dislodge their colleague’s breakshaft in the Executive car-park.

The new Finance Minister will be none other than former Communities Minister and prolific Stormont politician u/Neatsaucer. Whilst some may question why the position wasn’t reclaimed by the SDLP given they had both first pick in the d’hondt process and the position during the last term, it should be considered that the Finance Minister’s predecessor is unlikely to be a stranger to the halls of the finance ministry or any ministry for that matter. Yet, Neatsaucer is a notably competent and intelligent legislator and the budget and other financial policy is likely and hopefully in good hands with her.

Finance Minister u/Neatsaucer

Economy next, for those wondering the difference between Economy and Finance… don’t worry, we don’t know and neither did the former First Minister u/BoredNerdyGamer by all accounts. Regardless, the department responsible for stimulating and developing the economy (amazing what one can do with 5 minutes and the internet for research) is being headed by the SDLP this term. Whilst their policy has been somewhat blunted, they’re still largely heading into it with clear and concise motivations. There’s also a fair smattering of UUP policy either included directly in this section or spread out amongst other sections that’s lifted from their Economic aspirations. There’s a notable absence of APNI policy here however, which is not entirely surprising given their manifesto pledge to devolve all taxes immediately would be liable to hospitalise the more hardline members of the UUP. u/Later_Slater1707_ will take the helm of the department, another notably competent legislator, it will be interesting to see how this relative newcomer to the Executive cabinet will handle the coming term.

Trains, Drains and Cycling Lanes seem to be the main brunt of the Infrastructure section. Fairly common-sense policy that will compliment previous Executive’s commitments to ramp up transport infrastructure amongst rural communities and between Northern Ireland and the ROI. The only UUP portfolio aside from their position within the Executive Office, u/Checkmybrain11 will be heading the department, a former PM and a several term Minister within the Executive, it’s difficult to either doubt or mistrust their credentials.

AERA is a good mix of environmentally friendly policies and will be likely a welcome programme should it be successfully carried out to deadline. u/Comped will be holding the position, a man who when questioned on lake sanitation during an AERA session pre-AEVII, proceeded to outline to the Assembly that they had been to a lake once, there were birds and… it was nice. May their ensuing term be lacking the same potential for fever dreams.

Investment, Innovation and Improvement mark the core message of the Health policy and all overseen by a former Secretary of State for Healthcare… it’s all this largely left-leaning Assembly could ever want. Whilst a number of the commitments are admittedly bound to the decision making of the Finance Minister as opposed to the Health Minister, there’s still plenty of positive change to expect from the department. u/HK_Norman will be the man to see in the coming term and hopefully will remain blimpless throughout it.

Education… the core of any society. Hence a wide-range of policy focuses ranging from expanding the curriculum to focus on more modern and mindful subjects as well as a focus on expanding childcare and youth services, we’re incredibly happy with the progress the Education department is hoping to advance this mandate. Former Alliance First Minister turned SDLP Deputy Leader u/BoredNerdyGamer has agreed to take up the mantle and will hopefully provide the same leadership to the department that he did to the Executive.

Former First Minister and now Education Minister u/BoredNerdyGamer

Finally… Communities. Stadium, Housing… all pretty standard for the department. One interesting inclusion however is the strengthening of Irish Language Protections and Usage legislation… This policy’s mere inclusion is a welcome sign of how Northern Ireland’s politics has mellowed significantly with age and hopefully is an omen of things to come. u/Comped is double-jobbing in this office… so if anyone see’s them ducking into the Shankill with a suspiciously sign-like object, remember… best not to follow him and it's 48 hours minimum to report a missing person.

And that brings this excessively long analysis to a close. I admit myself impressed at the contents of the PFG and similarly impressed at the strength of the Cabinet. It’s sure to be an interesting term.

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- Written by Bryan N. Gaskin on behalf of the Executive Issue