What is stormont?

Stormont is the name commonly used for the Northern Ireland Assembly and Executive, after the Parliament Buildings at Stormont in Belfast where they sit. The Assembly has 90 members, called MLAs. Power is shared between nationalist and unionist parties under the 1998 Good Friday Agreement.

The Assembly makes laws on devolved areas including health, education, housing, justice and agriculture. MLAs are elected by single transferable vote, with five members for each of 18 constituencies. Members designate themselves as nationalist, unionist or other. Parliament Buildings opened in 1932 and housed the old Northern Ireland Parliament until 1972, when direct rule from London began.

Power sharing is required by law. The Executive is led jointly by a First Minister and deputy First Minister, who have equal powers. One comes from the largest party, and the other from the largest party of the other main community. Ministries are shared out between parties using the D'Hondt method. Some key votes need cross-community support, meaning backing from both nationalists and unionists.

Because both sides must take part, Stormont has collapsed several times. It was suspended from 2017 to 2020 and again from 2022 until February 2024, when it was restored. During gaps, civil servants kept services running but could not make major decisions. Supporters say power sharing keeps peace. Critics say it makes government slow and fragile. Its restoration in 2024 followed a long dispute over post-Brexit trade rules.