Letter: ​Unionist leaders must remain determined to undo wrongs inflicted by Conservatives

Perhaps this is not a matter of surprise as the Government had already painted themselves into a corner, having stated their unwillingness to re-open the terms of the Windsor Agreement.

Sadly the present NIO team appear to be Midas in reverse - everything they touch turns to dross! If they truly believed that becoming rule takers from the EU gives Northern Ireland the best of both worlds, then they might be expected to advocate that the whole country become rule takers.

Unionists must now look to the next election when the return of an alternative Labour government is at least a distinct possibility. However disappointing this may be for those of us who for a lifetime have been advocates of “Conservative” principles and aspirations, we must remember that the Labour politician, Roy Mason, was the best Secretary of State that Northern Ireland has ever had.

The jury is still out on Hilary Benn, however he is a sufficiently experienced politician to realise that a fresh approach is required to resolve the present hiatus.

Kier Starmer appears committed to re-opening our trading relationship with the EU. This should involve reduction in trading restrictions, which in turn should facilitate review of EU restrictions on internal trade within the UK.

In the meantime, the current Secretary of State has to address the fallout from the unavoidable resignation of the Chief Constable. For the future it is essential that not only political leaders, but police officers of whatever rank, study and assimilate the observations of Lord Denning when in 1977 giving judgement against the then Attorney General he stated “to every subject of this land, however powerful, I would use Thomas Fuller’s words over three hundred years ago, ‘Be ye ever so high, the law is above you..”. This maxim should be engraved on a plaque hanging over the desk of each incumbent at Stormont Castle, as well as Brooklyn. Toadying to those intent to breaking up the UK has to stop.

A limp rebuke towards Leo Varadkar that his impertinent interference in UK affairs is “unhelpful” is a gross understatement of reality. He may have a right to say whatever he wishes, but that does not render such comment beneficial.

Good neighbourly relations between the people of Northern Ireland and Ireland would be mutually materially advantageous. However such relations are rendered impossible when Irish leaders continually express their aspiration to take over the property of their neighbour. It is the responsibility of the Secretary of State to robustly respond to such. Sadly once again a Conservative politician is shown to be sadly lacking in character and vision.

Unionist leaders must adhere steadfast to their determination to undo the wrong inflicted on this community by Boris Johnson in 2019.

Jeremy Burchill, Leyburn