Now the work begins for Northern Ireland

The voters have spoken and Ian Paisley's Democratic Unionists have topped the polls in Northern Ireland's Assembly elections.

Winning 36 (up 6) of the 108 seats, with Sinn Fein winning 28 (+4), it is now down to Paisley and Gerry Adams to try and come to terms and form a power-sharing Government. Whereas Sinn Fein and Adams appear to have moved far closer to democracy and are prepared to sit behind the table and work for Northern Ireland I hope that the DUP and Paisley will not keep using excuses to avoid what is needed.

For the record, the Ulster Unionists were down 9 at 18 and Labour's sister party for Northern Ireland, the SDLP were down 2 at 16. The Alliance gained a seat to have 7 seats, the Progressive Unionists held their only seat, the Greens won their first ever seat on the Assembly in North Down and an Independent, standing on a ticket to save a local hospital, was elected in West Tyrone. The UK Unionist leader lost his seat.

Let's hope that the Parties can work together. The Ballot Box has always been better than the Gun and Bullet.