WHY is there no serious debate about electoral reform at Stormont? It seems like the sort of argument we would enjoy.

Reform is constantly discussed in our neighbouring jurisdictions and beyond – the Welsh assembly will be elected by a new method in May this year.

We regularly grumble about co-option, which can only be tackled through reform. Complaints about the subject have resumed as Jon Borrows heads for a coronation as UUP leader.

Act Now Northern Ireland, a democracy campaign that grew out of the 38 Degrees petition website, has said co-option should be “addressed now, in advance of the council and assembly elections next year” before it “further weakens people’s faith in the political system”. It has blamed falling voter turnouts on the issue.

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Yet there is little evidence co-option truly bothers the public. At the last assembly election, 28 of the 29 co-opted members were returned – fairly conclusive proof their status caused no push-back at the ballot box.

Co-option recalls the debate a decade ago over double-jobbing, a practice condemned by the political class despite being of no particular concern to the electorate - otherwise, the double-jobbers would not have been elected to........

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