Opinion

Loyalist violence shows need to build a better peace

IT is difficult to single out any one episode among the litany of violence and destruction of recent days, but perhaps the most depressing was that of youths forcing open a steel gate at Lanark Way and hurling petrol bombs across the interface.

Encouraged by watching adults, young people who were not alive during the Troubles and born after the Good Friday Agreement was signed - 23 years ago tomorrow - are being drawn into perpetuating the sectarian strife which so deeply scars our society.

Painted on one of the gates, which divides the loyalist Shankill Road and nationalist Springfield Road in Belfast, are challenging words written by Benjamin Franklin in the 18th century: "There was never a good war or a bad peace."

With some justification, many people will regard the rapid escalation of disorder as symptomatic of not only "a bad peace" but also the outworking of bad politics, bad leadership and bad relationships.

The communities and young lives afflicted by the current spate of trouble deserve better; so too do the police, who have been targeted and had more than 50 officers injured in a week.

Unionist politicians deserve to face scrutiny for their role in raising fears over Brexit - especially when it is a direct consequence of the DUP's approach - and for their criticism of the PSNI.

It was encouraging that unionists joined other assembly members yesterday in voicing their support for the police and in condemnation of the violence.

Executive ministers also issued a joint statement, which emphasised that "those who would seek to use and abuse our children and young people to carry out these attacks have no place in our society".

Chief Constable Simon Byrne briefed the parties on the situation, including the DUP; Arlene Foster's belated decision to engage with Mr Byrne is welcome.

These are important developments, but are unlikely to immediately ease tensions which have intensified as unionists have stepped up their opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The Dublin and London governments need also to become more engaged. Boris Johnson talks much of how he values the United Kingdom, yet it is difficult to think of any intervention he has made which has not in some way destabilised the north.

The Brexit process has undoubtedly sharpened divisions. Political and civic leaders have an urgent responsibility to soften them through dialogue and cooperation, and model a better peace.