Over the past week, I have, when possible, listened to radio phone-in shows, watched current affairs television programmes and read letters printed in newspapers.

It has become abundantly clear to me, that the vast majority of people are fed up with the lack of political progress at Stormont.

The two main parties (DUP and Sinn Fein) appear to be guilty of putting their own 'political' agendas ahead of the real issues that affect the everyday lives of the people that they have been elected to represent.

I am not talking about flags and marches. I am talking about the economy, healthcare, housing and education – real political issues that real politicians talk about.

I was impressed when Reg Empey succinctly noted in a recent speech (in no uncertain terms) that it was about time that the DUP and SF got up off their backsides and started to do something.

If they cannot end their petty squabbles, then they should step aside and let someone else do the job, because the electorate have lost patience already.

RP,
Belfast