BY any measure, the union flag protests were an unmitigated disaster. They unleashed a nasty season of ill
will last Christmas, driving shoppers away from Belfast city centre during the most crucial trading period of the year, disrupting traffic, damaging the city's image and inspiring copycat protests across the north. The protesters also singularly failed in their ambition to see the union flag again fly daily from Belfast City hall, which makes the dismal prospect of fresh protests all the more bewildering.
With its customary clumsy logic, the unelected Ulster People's Forum, which presents itself as the voice of the protesters, says that the flag "is worth more than our lives, never mind the mere economy".
It is a worrying and highly contestable statement, designed to raise tensions and fears. The vast majority of people in Belfast and beyond will hope that the latest protest calls will come to nothing.