When it came to Northern Ireland, I always used to take a “plague on both your houses” approach to the murdering bastards on both side of the sectarian divide. Like a lot of people I was, however, pleasantly surprised when Ian Paisley and Martin McGuiness formed an effective working relationship.

Even though some things in Northern Ireland do remain newsworthy: according to the Observer the South Belfast seat may be contested (for the first time ever) by catholics standing for both the SDLP and the Conservative and Unionists.

The sitting SDLP MP Alasdair McDonnell is likely to face Conservative and Unionist candidate Peter McCann. A former BBC senior executive McCann is a Catholic from the west of the city.

A spokeswoman for the UUP said no one could comment as there was an "ongoing selection process" taking place. She said the decision would be taken in the middle of January.

I will be the first to admit that this is not much of a story in the grand scheme of things. But perhaps, just perhaps this is an example of a tiny crack in the ridiculous sectarian divide that has blighted Northern Ireland for centuries.

I look forward to the day when the Mid Ulster seat is contested by Harry Burns (Sinn Fein) and Dermot Sullivan (DUP)!