Any proposals from the DUP or Sinn Féin for the re-establishment of Stormont must be accompanied by plans for reform that will learn from past mistakes

Spiralling waiting lists and a failure to tackle high rates of mental illness are glaring symptoms of the breakdown at Stormont

The Democratic Unionist Party got a taste of power, but they overplayed their hand and were outmanoeuvred by Brexiteers whose commitment to the union ultimately came second to their desire to get Brexit done

The SDLP was floored by the loss of its then leader Mark Durkan’s seat in the 2017 general election wipeout. Two years later, it has yet to get back on its feet

In a party whose leaders are anointed, rather than contested, the challenge to O’Neill may signal a move towards more democratic principles

The DUP leader’s brusque manner and provocative behaviour towards nationalists are undermining any hopes of reconciliation

Julian Smith’s arrival as Northern secretary was welcomed by some, but he may struggle to bridge a widening gulf

The Tory leadership frontrunner would happily throw his allies under a bus if it advanced his own ambitions