Equalising the First Minister and deputy First Minister Titles

Division held on 9 March 2026. The Motion Was Carried

Decision type

Simple Majority

Method

Lobby Division

Result

The Motion Was Carried

Debate

First Minister and deputy First Minister Titles

Official Assembly record of this division Official Report of the debate

The motion voted on

Motion (Private Members' Motion): Equalising the First Minister and deputy First Minister Titles

That this Assembly recognises that the titles of the First Minister and deputy First Minister are joint and equal in authority and responsibility; acknowledges that the difference in titles is a historical anomaly, made at the request of a unionist party; agrees that the current titles entrench division, frequently detract political attention from matters of real importance, and are against the true meaning of the Good Friday Agreement; notes that several holders of the office of the First Minister and deputy First Minister have called for the titles to be changed to reflect their joint nature; and believes that the titles of the First Minister and deputy First Minister should be equalised ahead of the next Assembly election.

The motion has not been assessed yet.

Tabled by: Mr Matthew O'Toole

Totals

How each MLA voted

MLAs who did not vote are not listed. Download these votes (CSV)