Not a pact exactly, (and it’s only in north and west Belfast) but could the new agreement between the UUP and the DUP lead to a much vaunted, but little in evidence realignment of Unionism in Northern Ireland. The News Letter reports:
“Unionist co-operation is not so much about voting pacts and electoral arrangements; rather, it is about unionist elected representatives committing themselves to engaging and working together, in continuing partnership with the community, in order to ensure co-operation takes place in a real and meaningful way.
“This is by no means short-term in nature. It will involve developing long-term strategic positions in relation to social, economic, educational and cultural issues impacting on north and west Belfast communities.”
Mick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty