Stormont’s five main parties had their first opportunity to face each other in the UTV leaders’ debate.
There were only days left until the vote, the main task for all of them was to overcome the pressure of a televised debate without major omissions.
There have been some heated talks on issues ranging from the cost of living crisis to the post of prime minister, but all five managed to escape largely unharmed.
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Although they adhered to their key campaign messages, some of Stormont’s leaders performed better than others in the glare of the studio lights.
Jeffrey Donaldson
The DUP leader is by far the longest-running debate.
At first, he seemed muted as he failed to take full advantage of newspaper reports that Sinn Fein had approached Saorad about Irish unity.
However, he was forced to continue further in the offensive as the Sinn Fein, SDLP and Alliance challenges intensified due to the cost of living crisis.
Sir Jeffrey was the strongest when he emphasized that Sinn Fein overthrew Stormont’s executive director for a three-year power-sharing deal after the RHI dispute, at a time when Michel O’Neill was health minister.
But he was struggling to defend the DUP, which is removing the first minister over the Brexit protocol – and his claims that it did not bring down the executive branch were confusing. 5/10
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Michelle O’Neill
As Sinn Fein is ahead in the polls, the party’s vice president may lose the most from this clash of leaders.
Ms. O’Neill was under pressure over a letter from Sinn Fein chairman Declan Kearney in 2020 to Saoradh, a group accused of having links to the New IRA.
She said there had been “absolutely no experience” in forming an alliance with the dissident Republican Party over a border poll, despite a letter inviting them to a meeting to commit to “developing a common strategy”.
Ms. O’Neill largely managed to stay in the message, delivering key remarks by Sinn Féin, which the party repeated throughout the campaign.
Although she was not as outspoken as the others in the debate, she was strongest in challenging the DUP and UUP for refusing to say whether they would run for office with the first nationalist minister. 6/10
Naomi Long
The leader of the Alliance Party is considered one of the best speakers in Stormont and gave another confident performance.
She did not face any particularly difficult questions, but she was clear and candid in her arguments.
Ms Long briefly unloaded trade checks in the Irish Sea at the door of the DUP, saying that the party “has a huge influence during the Brexit process and we have finally reached the Protocol”.
Although he seemed to be reviewing the notes on the back of an Alliance document during the leaders’ introductory remarks, at least that was a way to put the party’s brand at the center of the scene. 7/10
Colum Eastwood
As the SDLP has failed to make progress in opinion polls, Mr Eastwood is making the most of the opportunity to oppose his political opponents.
From the outset, he cleverly distinguished his party from Sinn Fein in its approach to Saorad, saying: “These people will not participate with me in trying to build a new Ireland.”
Focusing his message on the cost of living, the SDLP leader struck at the DUP for leaving the executive branch and dismissed talk of a first nationalist minister, stressing the joint nature of the service.
And while the days of “Vote for Mike, Take Colum” may be over, his praise of Health Secretary Robin Swan could be concluded in some UUP transfers on election day.
Mr. Eastwood seems to be the calmest in these discussion circles, and this occasion was no different. 8/10
Doug Beatty
The leader of the Union Party in Ulster was on the periphery of the procedure, both in terms of the seating plan and in terms of his contribution to the debate.
Mr Beattie failed to clearly distinguish his party’s message from others, especially the DUP, and in many cases said he agreed with his colleagues.
As Sir Jeffrey was at the center of the challenge for other parties, the UUP leader faded into inappropriateness.
Even on the topic of health, he did not make the most of public support in opinion polls on Robin Swann’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Poor performance. 3/10
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