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First Day of Term

• Mark Devenport
• 12 Mar 07, 09:36 PM

There was a definite back to school feel about Stormont earlier today with old lags (as Nigel Molesworth might call them) showing the new boys and girls around the corridors. Even the heavily subsidised canteen is under new management. Eileen Bell is still there, staying on, according to Peter Hain's letter, until the new members can elect a replacement. Given Alliance's self denying ordinance, the SDLP's Alban Maginness is thought by many to be in the frame, although it should be remembered that the two big parties have so many MLAS that they could spare one or two for ceremonial purposes, provided the other side will wear it.

I left some of the politicians to it at Hillsborough castle this evening. They were chewing over the peace dividend with Peter Hain and some Treasury officials. The extent to which both Sinn Fein and the DUP are talking up the possible abolition of the new water charges makes you feel they think they have something close to it in the bag. Moreover their concentration on the economic package contributes to a sense that March 26th isn't really out of the question. Gordon Brown will meet the politicians next week after getting his Budget out of the way. By that stage the package should be more or less finalised as there won't be any time to waste before the deadline.

Have just been told the Guardian has a good story on Peter Mandelson's view of Blair's handling of Northern Ireland, so will break off now to go and read it.