Behind the headlines: Stormont’s power brokers.

By Killian Feehan – Account Manager

The unique structure of Northern Ireland’s devolved Government can make it unpredictable and challenging to navigate. The system is built on power sharing, but more often it’s defined by power struggles so knowing the key brokers and understanding what motivates them is vital for influence.

In 2022, Sinn Féin was returned as the largest party in the NI Assembly for the first time, a moment that garnered international attention and was hailed as a historic watershed by Sinn Féin and their surrogates. However, the advantage held over their nearest rivals, the DUP, is a razor-thin two seats – so with all to play for, and with voters scheduled to head to the polls in little more than 12 months, the political battle lines have already been drawn.

Intra-Executive disputes have spilled over into heated public confrontations. Sinn Féin and the Alliance Party have twice supported no confidence motions in their DUP Ministerial colleagues. Major infrastructure projects, including upgrades to the A5 Derry-Dublin carriageway, and the redevelopment of Belfast’s Casement Park stadium, are becoming political footballs rather than Executive priorities. Cross-party commitments such as agreement on a multi-year budget, net zero commitments, and enhanced environmental protections are morphing into wedge issues. These themes are significant because they will inform the tone, tenor, and substance of the political debate as we approach the May 2027 elections.

In every election since 2007, the DUP and Sinn Féin have emerged as the two largest parties, and until 2022, their MLAs have always held more than 60% of seats. This has left the division of power as a straightforward carve-up between Sinn Féin and the DUP, with smaller parties operating on the periphery. The latest polls provide no indication of an impending political earthquake, but fractures appear to be emerging in the political landscape.

If a week is a long time in politics, then 12 months is an eternity so early poll readings should be taken with a significant health warning. Nevertheless, the latest LucidTalk poll places combined support for Sinn Féin and the DUP at 42% (down from 50% in 2022, and 56% in 2017) with the Ulster Unionists, the SDLP, Alliance, and TUV all in a dog fight for third place, hovering between 11-13% each. Conventional wisdom suggests that Sinn Féin and the DUP will defend their position as the big beasts of Northern Ireland politics next May, but the strength and standing of the parties will be determined by emerging events and, ultimately, the mood of the electorate.

Putting aside the unpredictability of election cycles and who holds the balance of power, one thing is certain – in order to navigate Northern Ireland’s complex system of Government businesses, organisations and campaigners need three things: insight, awareness and access. That’s where we come in. At Cavendish, we empower our clients to influence Government and achieve clear outcomes.

Our Who’s Who guide lifts the lid on the NI political ecosystem. It maps the key advisers, power brokers and strategists across every major department and party, showing where decisions are shaped, long before they reach the Executive table or the Assembly floor. It’s a practical field guide to influencing a system that moves slowly, deliberately and always by negotiation.

In Northern Ireland, progress can be slow, but with the right insight, the right people and the right approach, we can make things move – together. One deal, one department, and one careful step at a time.

Download the guide or get in touch with us, and start engaging with confidence.