Now to the bread and butter issues
AFTER a feisty and at times stormy debate, the Northern Ireland Assembly has voted for the devolution of policing and justice. That outcome was never in doubt, but the actions of the 17 Ulster Unionist MLAs who opposed the deal will dominate the political agenda in the days to come.
Unionists have nothing to fear from the return of these powers to Stormont in the proper circumstances and the financial deal offered by the British Government to facilitate the process and underpin the criminal justice system was a generous, indeed probably once in a lifetime offer. The Ulster Unionists did not oppose devolution per se, but used the issue to highlight what they characterised as the dysfunctionality of the Executive and in particular the mishandling of education.
Whether or not one agrees with their timing or tactics, they had a right to vote as they did, and the pressure exerted on them via questionable opinion polls, phone calls from America and thinly-veiled threats closer to home was crude, ill-judged and ultimately counter-productive.
Defying rumours of splits and internal tensions, the DUP held its nerve and has shown leadership in sealing and selling a deal it believes is good for Northern Ireland. They must now turn their attention to showing our citizens that the administration can deliver on the 'bread and butter' matters and that the kind of institutional problems highlighted by the Ulster Unionists – and indeed by the TUV – can be overcome.
By asserting his independence, Sir Reg Empey has probably only succeeded in raising further questions about the merit and relevance of his link-up with the Conservatives.
The parties must now make their cases to the people and yesterday marked the unofficial start of the election campaign. The events of the last few days will set the tone on the hustings in what promises to be a fiercely-contested battle, which could have far-reaching ramifications for the future of unionism.
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Weather for Belfast
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 6 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North west
