Leading article: No more excuses

The votes have finally been counted. The results are in. Both Sinn Fein and the Democratic Unionist Party have strengthened their positions in the Stormont Assembly, squeezing their respective rivals in the republican and unionist movements yet further. The Ulster Unionist Party leader, Sir Reg Empey, had to suffer the humiliation of waiting until the third stage of counting before being returned in East Belfast.

That's the politics. But after this week's Assembly election, the democratic will of the people of Northern Ireland is also plain for all to see. There is an overwhelming demand in the province for a return to local power sharing government.

There must be no more delaying tactics. No more posturing. No more excuses. Now is the time for the leaders of the DUP and Sinn Fein to come together and deliver a restoration of devolved government.