Downsizing Stormont
The Assembly Executive and Review Committee met this morning to discuss how big Stormont should be. The meeting took place behind closed doors, but I'm told Sinn Fein favoured keeping the current 108 strong chamber, whilst the other parties backed various reductions. The DUP, in line with their recent speeches and documents, suggested an assembly of 72 to 75. Alliance opted for a similar number. The Ulster Unionists backed a reduction, but didn't specify how many MLAs. The SDLP were open to moving to a 90 strong assembly.
Sinn Fein sources say there are reasons why Stormont has so many MLAs and they are concerned about any move which would dilute the Assembly's representative inclusive nature. Speaking to the Politics Show recently, Alex Maskey talked about the constituencies which already have either no nationalist or no unionist representation.
However the expected reduction in local Westminster constituencies to 15 will, as things stand, have a natural knock on effect bringing Stormont down to 90 MLAs (even if each seat retains 6 MLAs). Given the range of views exchanged this morning it seems that, at the very least, a reduction to 90 politicians now appears likely.
I'm 
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