The virtual election: the 2003 Northern Ireland assembly election

Abstract

The paper sets the context for the November 2003 election, reports its results and discusses the consequences of the electoral outcomes. It notes that the election did not take place within an atmosphere that was conducive to the resolution of the outstanding difficulties, notably over the decommissioning issue, and that the advance of the DUP and Sinn Fein has frustrated the prospect of an early restoration of devolution. The paper also looks at the review of the Agreement, which began in February 2004 and concludes that direct rule is likely to remain in place for the foreseeable future.