Power-sharing an issue as DUP to launch election manifesto
Ian Paisley's DUP is due to launch its much-awaited election manifesto this morning which will indicate whether it agrees to share power with Sinn Féin.
Both the SDLP and the Ulster Unionists have said the party will fudge the issue and talk hard until after election day.
The DUP is selling this election as a battle for becoming the largest party in the North with the nightmare prospect that Sinn Féin could do it if the unionist vote splits.
The DUP's intention, it says, is to force republicans to unconditionally support the PSNI, the courts and the rule of law to ensure that when devolution returns it can be on a stable and long-term basis.
The Ulster Unionists have said that the party will agree to share power with Sinn Féin by the March deadline but Ian Paisley is terrified of saying so before the election as it would split the DUP down the middle.
