Fear is fuelled by political leaders on both sides

It would appear as if the Northern Ireland Assembly Elections on March 2 this year will result in the same parties securing a similarly high proportion of seats in the new assembly.

However, I sincerely hope that the leaders of these bigger parties will not take this to be an endorsement of their actions over the last months.

The election result will, in my view, be a reflection of the perpetual fear of the other side of the community which pervades here.

In my opinion, this fear has been fuelled by political leaders (on both sides) who have revived past animosities in order to strengthen their prospects of success.

There is real grass roots anger at the conduct of members of our government and their confrontational attitudes towards one another.

Hard-hitting media analysis and some extremely perceptive political satire has reflected this. The huge following both of these have attracted is something our political leadership would do well to note.

They would also be wise to recall public sympathy for the reconciliatory words of Ian Paisley Jr on The View on 19th January. This is where the popular mood is.

We cannot afford these elections to be followed by a prolonged period of recriminations and impossible demands.

This will bring a prolonged period of Direct Rule by Westminster which would expose us to excessive control by a government and parliament which cannot be depended on to act in our interests.

We clash with Westminster on fundamental social and moral issues. Our predominantly Christian ethos is not reflected in Britain.

Thirty years of Direct Rule did little for Northern Ireland. There is no reason to expect any different outcome should we experience it again.

Our political leaders should not regard their success in these elections as a mandate to conduct themselves as they have done, attacking each other at every turn.

We expect our politicians to re-establish an effective Executive and Assembly immediately.

This is why those who decide to vote in these elections will vote (albeit that fear may drive them towards voting on traditional lines) - and paradoxically why so many may chose not to do so.

We expect them to take on responsibility and to act responsibly, in the interests of all sections of this community.

Nothing less will do.

Fin Lappin, Dollingstown