EVEN the proverbial dogs in the street knew Chris Heaton-Harris would perform another fudge yesterday. The reality is that he, the Northern Ireland Office and their political masters in London have no plan and are simply buying themselves time in the hope that events will play out kindly for them. In so many ways the Tories and the secretary of state have brought this on themselves. We don't need reminding that this mess stems from Brexit and the lack of foresight, honesty and consistency that followed.
Ahead of October 28's deadline for restoring the executive Mr Heaton-Harris employed strong arm tactics, warning that he wouldn't hesitate to call an election. Yet when it came to the crunch he bottled it, his hands reportedly tied by Rishi Sunak – though the secretary of state has denied this. What he announced yesterday – a "short, straightforward extension" – to the window in which an election can be called was merely a holding exercise. It was coupled with a threat to cut MLAs' salaries, a populist move that punishes more than two-thirds of those elected in May who'd be more than happy sit on Stormont's blue benches if the DUP would end its boycott.
There was of course some relief to learn that we won't be going to the polls until at least February, a costly, unnecessary election being the last thing that both people and the polity need. The route to resolving this impasse is clear – the EU and UK agree pragmatic concessions on the protocol in the coming weeks that will reduce the number of checks on goods arriving at the north's ports. That's arguably the easy bit, as from there it's over to Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and the DUP.
Spooked by opinion polls, the DUP used the protocol as a tactic in the election, raising the bar on its demands so as not to be outflanked by the absolutist TUV. It was strategy that worked as the party outperformed most commentators expectations. However, the DUP must now identify a landing zone that'll enable it to save face and return to Stormont, not an easy task when policy appears to be set by hardliners outside the party who'd happily see power-sharing fail. Sir Jeffrey may also have problems selling any compromise within his own ranks.
In the political vacuum that currently prevails there's an absence of fresh ideas and too many empty threats. The secretary of state's fudge has ensured we can have a merry Christmas but it may not be a happy new year.
