Asreshuffles go, this one did not have a great deal of "wow factor" about it.

But some cold electoral logic can be detected in the DUP's re-jigging of its Stormont team.

Robin Newton becomes Junior Minister at OFMDFM in a move that will surely increase his profile.

DUP leader and First Minister Peter Robinson indicated recently that he may choose the Assembly over Westminster.

If that happens Mr Newton will be a strong contender to land the DUP's East Belfast candidacy at the next General Election.

Regular photocalls with fellow OFMDFM Junior Minister Gerry Kelly may not necessarily be part of the gameplan, however.

MPs Nigel Dodds, Jeffrey Donaldson and Gregory Campbell are vacating their ministerial seats.

But party sources are stressing that this does not mean they have permanently opted for the Commons, rather than Stormont.

Decisions have still to be taken on that front.

There has been speculation that Mr Dodds will become the DUP's main man in Westminster, while also working on party-building tasks as deputy leader.

That would leave the DUP needing a main North Belfast flag bearer in the Assembly election.

Step forward Nelson McCausland, who will be in the public eye a lot more now as Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure.

The appointment of this Ulster-Scots enthusiast is hardly likely to delight Irish language activists.

It will be taken by many as a strong signal that the DUP is not for turning in its opposition to an Irish Language Act.

Mr McCausland has impressed party colleagues with media performances in recent months and was talked about at one stage as a possible European Election candidate.

Arlene Foster is believed to have wanted to stay at Enterprise, and has got her way.

Sammy Wilson moves to Finance, which has a reputation for being an unexciting job.

The public purse is facing a squeeze in the months and years ahead and the Stormont Finance Minister may well have to break bad news to Executive colleagues on spending plans.

It would be no great surprise if Mr Wilson also indulged in the occasional spot of UUP baiting, over the future expenditure intentions of their Conservative Party allies.

The DUP will announce new committee chair appointments in the next few days, with MPs David Simpson, Iris Robinson and William McCrea expected to leave their posts.

Ian Paisley Jnr is being tipped to replace Mr McCrea as Agriculture Committee chair.

Electoral politics is a factor here too — Mr Paisley Jnr is likely to be taking on TUV leader Jim Allister in North Antrim next year in a landmark General Election battle.

The return of Edwin Poots to the Executive is no surprise at all. His party leader had publicly promised him a swift route back to a Ministerial post.