Change Assembly Voting: Mallon

Ten years on from the signing of the Belfast Agreement, one of the main contributors to its construction has said he would radically change the voting system at Stormont.

Seamus Mallon, former SDLP Deputy Leader, said he favours finding an alternative that still guarantees equality, noting that NI Assembly members are currently required to designate themselves unionist, nationalist or other.

"I would look at the whole question of designation," said Mr Mallon

"I would seek an alternative as a protection for the rights of both communities.

"And I think possibly if we look down those lines, in terms of any coming review, there might be a way of obtaining the absolute protection of equality."

Mr Mallon described as "demeaning" the way the Alliance party was able to redesignate itself to enable David Trimble and Mark Durkan to be elected First and Deputy First Minister in 2002.

He also said he would like to see "healthier flexibility" in the way the Northern Ireland Executive is formed.

(BMcC)