Opinion

At election time remember what SF has done for health service – nothing

In Newry and Armagh and South Down we have Sinn Féin MPs,  Mickey Brady and Chris Hazzard, defending their parliamentary seats which they will not take if re-elected.


So, a vote for them, in my opinion, is a wasted vote, despite their claims of achieving so much from the sidelines when in reality every vote counts to effect real change at Westminster.

This forthcoming election will sadly not be fought on many issues but here’s hoping the health service will be one of them, with nurses (RCN) taking part in their first such strike in more than 100 years.

Recently, we had messrs Brady and Hazzard’s northern leader, Michelle O’Neill, stating: “Nurses and all our health care staff are the backbone of our health service. They deserve to work within safe staffing levels and with a proper deal.”


How can the electorate take O’Neill’s words seriously when, as minister for health in 2016/17 at the assembly, what backbone did she show supporting the RCN’s same demands back then on her watch? None. She rejected them and now comes via her party MP candidates expressing concerns and support for our beleaguered health service and its workers.

This comes at a time when we are short of 3,000 nurses in the north, causing much stress and sickness within that workforce, with the grim reality there is an above average rate of a 23 per cent suicide rate within the health profession.


Although our health workers do not put a price on the health of the public, nevertheless a newly qualified nurse in the north receives £2,000 per year less that their counterparts in Scotland.

The treasured Daisy Hill Hospital falls into the constituency of our two abstentionist MPs – Brady and Hazzard – and come election day we should bear it in mind that their Sinn Féin northern leader Michelle O’Neill did nothing as health minister to support the health workers and their demands at Daisy Hill Hospital and throughout the north.

JOHN McCABE


Newry, Co Down

32-county constituent assembly can ease transition to Irish unity

In the event of a future ‘Yes’ vote border poll, the potential for disorder can be easily mitigated, with the space required for an orderly transition to a United Ireland afforded.

Immediate to that circumstance the British government should withdraw its claim to sovereignty in Ireland and make public its intent to leave the Six Counties. (That it should do so regardless is not of consequence to this particular argument.)

This would afford space for a constituent assembly, elected on a pro-rata basis, freely elected by universal suffrage within the national constituency, to begin the process of agreement towards the structure of a 32-county republic.

Upon the completion of its remit, which would be to draft governmental structures and arrangements to be embodied in a written constitution and charter of fundamental rights, the determinations arrived at can be put to the people of Ireland by referendum.

In the event of a ‘Yes’, the process of transferring political power should begin with immediate effect, with same to be completed, wholly and in full, within a two-year period.

The function of overseeing the required transition would be the mandate of a national government, to be configured out of the membership of the assembly with the purpose of fulfilling this task. It would do so in liaison with other relevant agencies, across said period – namely the withdrawing British government and the European Union, notwithstanding outside assistance beyond here.

A process as this can fully diffuse the oft-hyped potential for disorderly constitutional change. The idea it need be somehow more complicated suggests towards ulterior motive – to the hope of frustrating Irish self-determination even further to the surmount of the principle of consent.

In 1998, republicans were told we were not endorsing the unionist veto – that we’d only be subject to its thrall until a nationalist majority could be mounted in the north and that the Republic, then, would follow. We have not come this far to now be waylaid, come the end of the road. At the very least, it must remain as such.

SEAN BRESNAHAN


Omagh, Co Tyrone

Test for unionist unity

The anti-British, anti-Brexit coalition of Sinn Féin, SDLP and Greens is a thinly disguised flag of convenience promoting a blatant sectarian headcount – Sinn Féin are calculating on a surge of pan-nationalist turnout to oust Nigel Dodds; the SDLP are confident of victory in Foyle and South Belfast. Their success will be a boost for Labour where their backing could put the Marxist-leaning Corbyn into Downing Street. Added to the anti-Brexit brigade are Alliance attempting to split the unionist vote by attracting remainer unionist support.

Together this rum lot will test the resolve and mettle of unionist unity and solidarity. Therefore the unionist family has a massive decision of conscience to make to maximise the number of unionists returned to Westminster. Should, as intended, the DUP be given a vote of confidence they will owe unionism more than their attendance in parliament.

The Brexiteer rump of the Tories shafted the DUP when agreeing to the Boris border in the Irish Sea. A great act of betrayal by so-called friends and fellow unionists. My vote, and I suspect thousands of unionist remainers and leavers alike, is being lent to the DUP. It is the right and proper choice to make. Now is the time for the DUP to earn trust and respect by delivering for the unionist cause. They can not fail and given a fair wind they will surpass expectations.

DAVID McNARRY


Strangford, Co Down

Depraved acts of exploitation

As a father of two girls and grandfather of three I just shudder to think how helpless those poor innocent young girls felt when abused by Jeffery Epstein’s “specially selected clients”, to carry out their inhumane, depraved acts of sexual exploitation.

I appeal to every media outlet, local and international, to pursue these horrific incidents to the bitter end in order to establish a permanent penal code that would make others  think twice before indulging in such acts of immoral depravity.

HARRY STEPHENSON


Kircubbin, Co Down

Double standards

We are all well used to regular, poorly informed, preachy letters from Trevor Ringland.

But when Trevor’s opportunity came to be a Unity Candidate in the wake of Lady Sylvia Hermon in North Down, he bottled it.

Mr Ringland thinks we should all do as he says, not what he does.

CLLR CADOGAN ENRIGHT


Independent, Downpatrick, Co Down