Apparently Northern Ireland is not worthy of the freedoms from lockdown to be enjoyed by the rest of the UK

Even for the Stormont executive, Tuesday’s statement on Covid restrictions is almost beyond belief.

Few would dispute the seriousness of the pandemic but, despite the successful rollout of the vaccine to our most vulnerable age groups, apparently we are not worthy of the limited freedoms which the populations of other parts of the United Kingdom are soon to enjoy.

While in England non-essential retail and some outdoor hospitality will re-open early next month, in Wales self-contained holiday accommodation is set to reopen and in Scotland limited indoor meeting and the resumption of church services in time for Easter will give people there hope, here we are apparently expected to be grateful for click and collect and a ‘stay local’ message.

While we are all glad to see our young people getting back to class, it would appear that no other age groups matter, despite the fact that many older people will not be familiar with the technology to use click and collect and that all age groups, perhaps especially the elderly, are suffering isolation and despair.

I know discrimination is an overused word, but that is what this amounts to, both in terms of age groups and the fact that we in Northern Ireland are being treated differently from the rest of the regions.

Nor does the deputy first minister’s claim that the reason for this is the executive’s earlier statement that we cannot move backwards cut any ice as this is also the position of the Westminster government.

No doubt the excuse will be that there are five parties involved in decision making here but for the leadership of unionism to acquiesce in the separation of policy from the rest of the United Kingdom with the damage and misery this will inflict on jobs, businesses and the mental wellbeing of the general population is a disgrace.

Despite the difficulties, the DUP has let down those who, like myself, have always given them my vote in the expectation that they would uphold the Union in every circumstance.

If the current party leadership is not up to the job of acting in the best interests of all the people of Northern Ireland then it needs to be removed internally and replaced with one which will.

Evan Bingham, Belfast BT5

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