The Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie can learn from his mistakes

A letter from Arnold Carton:
By Letters
Published 26th Jan 2022, 10:30 BST
Updated 26th Jan 2022, 10:33 BST
Doug Beattie has led the Ulster Unionist Party in a process of change, he wants to lead Northern Ireland in a process of change and he now has an opportunity to be an example of change himself, by publicly apologising as he has doneDoug Beattie has led the Ulster Unionist Party in a process of change, he wants to lead Northern Ireland in a process of change and he now has an opportunity to be an example of change himself, by publicly apologising as he has done
Doug Beattie has led the Ulster Unionist Party in a process of change, he wants to lead Northern Ireland in a process of change and he now has an opportunity to be an example of change himself, by publicly apologising as he has done

Misogyny is not a laughing matter and Doug Beattie’s comments are a serious problem for him and us.

His political opponents will be glad if he resigns; they will pretend that is the problem solved, but that will be dishonest.

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Misogyny hides in many places and no party is exempt; removing Mr Beattie will be a mere pretence that the problem is solved.

My wife and I were impressed by Mr Beattie’s courage on Talkback and Nolan yesterday morning, it would have been easier to hide but Doug Beattie is no Boris Johnson.

Mr Beattie has led the Ulster Unionist Party in a process of change, he wants to lead Northern Ireland in a process of change and he now has an opportunity to be an example of change himself, by publicly apologising as he has done, then following up with anti-racist and anti-sexist training for himself and his candidates.

Wouldn’t we all rather have politicians who can learn from their mistakes?

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Rightly, many people will be annoyed by Mr Beattie’s comments, but look at the courage he has shown in supporting women’s autonomy over their own body and supporting equal marriage.

He has begun the process of bringing intelligent young women into the party.

In a fairly conservative party like the UUP this took courage.

It could be argued that getting rid of Beattie would be a backward step because it is pretence for solving the problem.

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Just as Northern Ireland needs to change, Doug Beattie can continue to be an example not of perfection but of how change is possible.

I would appeal to him to continue the process he has started.

Arnold Carton, Belfast BT6

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Related topics:Doug BeattieUlster Unionist PartyNorthern IrelandBoris JohnsonBen Lowry