As talks between the main Northern Ireland parties continued yesterday (Tuesday), it was clear that many issues have still to be resolved before a realistic attempt to restore our devolved structures can be made.
Circumstances leading to the re-introduction of direct rule 12 months ago have been widely discussed but remain contentious.
However, all the main players should be capable of reaching agreement on the need for an early assembly election.
It remains breathtaking that Tony Blair should regard democracy as an imperative in Iraq but merely an option in Northern Ireland.
Although the British prime minister has made a central contribution towards the cause of progress both before and after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, his decision to cancel the assembly elections scheduled for last May was deeply flawed.
Firstly, and most importantly, the assembly's five-year term had come to an end and it was essential that all those involved in negotiations over its future should have their mandate renewed by the electorate.
Whether the assembly was active or suspended in the meantime was largely beside the point.
There have been many precedents in the relatively recent past for elections to bodies which either had no powers or were being boycotted by one group or another.
The postponement of the poll inevitably led to suspicions that Mr Blair had intervened because he believed the outcome would not suit his purposes.
It may well be that his analysis was incorrect, and the balance of power within the assembly would not have changed radically, but that is also irrelevant.
The people must be allowed to pass their own verdict, and the British and Irish govern-ments can then deal with the consequences to the best of their ability.
Delaying any election until the new year, or even later, cannot be viewed as an option.
A poll is long overdue, and, regardless of whether a deal on devolution proves possible, it should go ahead in November.
