The only consistent feature of the DUP’s election disaster is disaster itself. In three safe unionist constituencies, the party lost to the TUV, the UUP and Alliance. So what message were voters sending, other than being so fed up they would turn to anyone else?

Many other former DUP voters simply stayed at home. This must all have reflected frustration with the party’s Brexit manoeuvring, yet leader Gavin Robinson did relatively well against Alliance in East Belfast, despite being responsible for recent manoeuvres.

This has secured Robinson’s position, despite presiding over what is arguably his party’s worst-ever electoral setback. There will be quiet relief in some DUP circles that Ian Paisley has gone and the DUP can move beyond its Paisleyite roots. However, Paisley lost to TUV leader Jim Allister, suggesting the party needs to reconnect with ‘traditional’ unionism.

It is clear the DUP will have to fundamentally rethink its way forward, but the signs from this election are pointing in different directions.

David McCann: Sinn Féin has confounded expectations again

Brian Feeney: Keir Starmer will be the last prime minister of the UK

******

Six weeks ago, Belfast High Court struck down legislation that gave anonymity to people accused but not charged of sexual offences, extending to 25 years after death.

Alliance justice minister Naomi Long, who piloted the law through Stormont, has dropped her intention to appeal the verdict, as her concerns were not shared by other ministers. But did she have a point? Long received advice the ruling had serious constitutional implications because the judge based much of his ruling on........

© The Irish News