By Stephen Walker BBC Northern Ireland London correspondent

When you have a quick glance through Angela Smith's CV two areas spring out - a love of Coronation Street and a hatred of fox hunting.

So is this soap-loving MP ready for the high drama of political life in Northern Ireland?

With its plot lines of threatened walk-outs, suspensions and allegations of spying, Stormont is never short of a dull story line and the Basildon MP is now in the thick of it.

John Reid: Announced suspension of the power-sharing institutions on Monday

Now she must put all her experience to the test.

For 12 years she was the public relations chief of the League against Cruel Sports, a post she gave up on entering the House of Commons in 1997.

Her victory in Basildon received national attention when she took the prized seat from the Conservatives.

The Essex constituency was a political weathervane and her success was seen as an indication of how well Labour had done under Tony Blair's leadership.

The victory put her in the national spotlight - and despite a reduced majority she held onto the seat in last year's general election.

No baggage

She is fiercely loyal to New Labour and her work was rewarded with her first job in 1999 when she became parliamentary private secretary to Paul Boetang at the Home Office.

It was her first move up the ladder of government and last year opportunity came knocking again when she was appointed an assistant whip.

Her move to the Northern Ireland is not entirely surprising.

The government wanted somebody who was trusted and had served at junior level and who had no Northern Ireland baggage.

One Labour colleague who knows her well says she fits the bill.

"She is regarded as a safe pair of hands, although she does have a independent streak.

It is not known how long suspension of the Stormont Assembly will last

"Her strong stance on hunting proves that. She is also very funny and I am sure will add a bit of much needed humour during these difficult days."

Angela Smith arrives in Belfast with Ian Pearson, the MP for Dudley South.

The pair have been working together in the Whips' office since last year.

If the Basildon MP is seen as the witty one, Pearson may be cast in the role of straight man.

He is pro-European and an expert on economic regeneration.

One senior Labour backbencher says the rugby-loving West Midlands MP is regarded as "very quiet".

"He has no enemies but he is certainly not noted for saying anything controversial. If the government want someone to keep their head down, he's the man."

Uncertain times

Ian Pearson 's career path is very similar to that of his new colleague in the Northern Ireland Office.

The Oxford graduate won the Dudley West seat in a by-election in December 1994 and has held the Dudley South seat since 1997.

He served as a parliamentary private secretary to Geoffrey Robinson the controversial Paymaster General.

Last year, Ian Pearson moved to the whips' office where he joined up with Angela Smith.

The pair arrive in Belfast facing uncertain times and their stay depends on how quickly devolution can be resurrected.

The government hope suspension will be short - but in the political world of Northern Ireland temporary measures often become permanent.