We have a draft Programme for Government for the first time in eight years. A Northern Ireland Executive has produced a list of policy approaches and priorities that it will attempt to fulfil before the next election due in May 2027.
This Executive has one major disadvantage over its Scottish and Welsh counterparts: it has lost two years of its mandate to implement its policy agenda. This also means those critical early years when unpopular decisions can be made are gone, but I live in some hope now that our recent cycle of elections has ended.
The Programme for Government is mercifully short in what it has chosen to prioritise – nine areas, ranging from reducing childcare costs to transforming public services.
I know we often hear about the need for ambition, and yes, the Executive should strive for the best outcomes, but what devolution needs now to be successful is to target its ambitions.
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A plan that can be delivered is........