An SDLP-UUP-Alliance coalition is possible

On the face of it the DUP are sure to choose the first minister, and Sinn Féin the deputy first minister.

But the arithmetic is fascinating in that the numbers allow for a coalition to seize the top spot if they borrow a page from Enda Kenny’s playbook.

On paper it is possible to form a coalition of the SDLP (12 seats), UUP (10 seats) and Alliance Party (8 seats) with a combined 30 seats, which would allow them to choose the first minister and have first pick of the ministerial offices.

Given that all three of these parties have roughly the same number of seats they might want to rotate the position of first minister between them.

To borrow a phrase from the former leader of the UUP: vote Mike get Colum (and Naomi).

This coalition – a coalition of the willing – would need to take a long hard look at the rules of the Assembly to determine how best to do it.

Possibly the simplest way to proceed would be for SDLP and Alliance MLAs to resign from their respective parties and to take up membership of the UUP for the duration of this Assembly so they can designate as ‘unionists’, albeit they might not have designate for this to work.

But if Enda Kenny can cobble together a coalition then is it really beyond the ken of these parties to do the same here in Northern Ireland?

Bernard J. Mulholland, Malone Road, Belfast BT9