Opinion

Politicians putting political advantage ahead of citizens’ welfare

I want to say clearly that I don’t want another lockdown, I want our business sector to do well, I want a situation where all restrictions such as mask wearing and social distancing can be removed. But everyone wants this and expressing these desires doesn’t make me or anyone else a good leader. It achieves nothing, unless I am an ambitious politician who wants to be the next First Minister – in which case claiming to be a ‘friend of business’ might win me some votes.

One of the problems with having an election in six months is that what is good for politicians is not necessarily good for the country. It is often easier for a politician to say what his electorate want to hear, rather than to alert them to a difficult reality. The irony is that a failure to properly take charge of the Covid crisis now will be even more damaging to business in the long term.

When we need leadership most, we often end up with wishful thinking and empty phrases about supporting business, with decisions delayed. Unfortunately, as we found out last year, this tends to lead to chaos with businesses purchasing stock, only to have it wasted as lockdowns become inevitable.

With our NHS overstretched and the likelihood of major problems over winter, we need to see our Stormont executive working together and leading our people out of this crisis. Once the executive decides on a set of restrictions or actions the worst thing that any minister could do is set about undermining public support for those measures, but sadly that is what we have seen from some DUP ministers.

The evidence of the significant increase in demand for first dose vaccinations is almost definitely a direct result of the Covid certification scheme and will help prevent the NHS being overwhelmed.

Next May the public will not look back kindly on those politicians who seem to be putting political advantage ahead of the welfare of our citizens.

ARNOLD CARTON


Belfast BT6

Aontú ticks most belief boxes

Aidan Gribbin (November 18)  laments the apathy of some Irish Catholics toward their religion and their sense of national pride. Who can blame him? This lack of interest in their roots has many causes, not least, the smothering influence of a media that is sycophantically pro-British in its outlook, output and mindset. This not-so-subtle social engineering has seeped into every aspect of Irish life – even in the south. This constant attack on Irishness has been exacerbated by the kowtowing of the larger parties on both sides of the border. The southern elite has long held a partitionist mindset and the SDLP has always been agnostic on Irish unity. The former republicans of Sinn Féin (and the so-called nationalist SDLP) openly embraced Westminster rule when they welcomed the imposition of abortion legislation in the six counties over the heads of we Irish natives. The Shinners in particular have not only been fanatically pro-abortion, but have been infiltrating Catholic institutions in order to eliminate any values they deem counter to a globalist philosophy. In effect they are doing more damage to Catholicism and Irishness than 100 years of unionist misrule. I can also understand Aidan’s frustration in being unable to find a party that represents his values, Might I suggest he checks out Aontú. I think he will find it ticks most of his belief boxes. The party has already made inroads north and south from a fairly recent beginning and in the face of a hostile media and will continue its growth in the forthcoming Stormont elections. Aontú’s three main pillars of being pro-life, pro-unity and pro-social justice are the mainstays of a party that campaigns on many issues including, health, housing, education, farming and so much more. I, along with many others, got off our sofas to help counter the enemies of Christianity and Ireland, both abroad and more dangerously at home. Perhaps Aidan would consider doing the same.

GERARD HERDMAN


Aontú, Belfast BT11

Wonderful act of kindness

I really enjoyed Anne Hailes’s article on kindness (Monday Life, November 22). When I was working I felt the concierge was the most important person in our building and I always made sure to show my sincere appreciation.

One day I parked my car as usual and attended busy internal meetings all day. Unbeknown to me the concierge had spotted my slow puncture, had got my keys, took the car to the nearby CTS and got a new tyre, leaving the car back to greet me at 6pm. He never said anything but next day my secretary told me what had happened. For me it was such a wonderful act of kindness and typical of life in our part of the world.

IAN ELLIOTT


Belfast BT9

Seek proper advice before buying a puppy

I would like to put the general public on a red alert status on the run up to Christmas. I am referring to the dreadful presence of the illegal puppy farms in our midst. The conditions in which these tiny creatures are kept are appalling in the extreme along with a substandard diet. The mother of these pups is condemned to a life of ill-treatment and acute exhaustion as she is forced to conceive litter after litter of pups. If someone wants to buy a pup, as is their right, they should insist not only in seeing the living conditions but also the mother as well. Please remember too that  there are untrustworthy websites out there and never, ever meet someone who wants to hand you over your pup in a supermarket car park. Why not visit the plethora of animal rescue centres out there that have dogs of all ages crying out for a loving home? Furthermore, the volunteers will advise you on the dogs that are most tailored to your needs. I know of no greater act of kindness than for someone than to give one of these dogs a second chance and are so lucky to become your forever friend.

L McDERMOTT


Belfast BT11