Some further reflections on Northern Ireland

The election of Edwin Poots as leader of the DUP is a further marker of the disintegration of Unionism as a political force. The DUP is moving away from its supporters, and, in so doing, destroying its own political base. An increasing proportion of (perhaps middle class) Unionists are defecting to the Alliance ; while working class Unionists appear to be moving their allegiance to a party to the Right of the DUP. The Good Friday Agreement saved Unionism by anchoring it within the EU, and ensured that it was supported by consultation mechanisms which connected the Irish and British governments and Stormont. The DUP have illogically cut the ground from underneath them, and may have done irretrievable damage to its own political position. However, the political consequences may be extremely costly for everybody in Northern Ireland.

These consequences can only be exacerbated by the proposed amnesty for atrocities committed by British soldiers, which would probably be accompanied by similar immunity for similar crimes committed by the IRA and loyalist terrorists. This extraordinarily misconceieved measure would only cause further dismay. Just because the British state has decided that it is timely to 'move on' does not mean that those who have been directly affected can do so. There can truly be no peace without justice. More than any other single act, this starkly demonstrates the British government's complete absence of care and thought with regard to Northern Ireland.