It is time to grasp the opportunity for improvement created by the disruptions of Covid 19 and Brexit

Covid 19 has shown that we can react quickly and effectively if we have to.

We have seen that the NHS and educationalists can react quickly and effectively within the limits set by politicians and the ‘anti’ people.

We have had innumerable reports about how Northern Ireland is an ineffective and wasteful community, we have considerable anecdotal evidence that neither Great Britain (for unionists) or Republic of Ireland (for nationalists/republicans) would be willing to sustain the financial drain that is NI.

We have seen that a determined minister can make correct decisions to break out of the stultifying morass that usually bedevils possible positive change. But we do need ministers who regard the whole of our society as their responsibility not just to please their political supporters.

Surely it is time to grasp the opportunity for improvement created by the disruptions of Covid 19 and Brexit.

More of us should be querying why we have so little optimism, so little emphasis on delivering the well documented requirements in education, health, infrastructure, sectarianism, lack of interest in improvement.

It is time more of us thought about what we can do to make NI a better place for every one who lives here, and started pressing for improvement.

Tom Ekin, Belfast BT9

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