Opinion

North’s politics could become completely different in image in 2022

So, our political leaders have been strangely quiet over the last two weeks with absence from both the airwaves and the printed media very noticeable. But, how have our oft-times criticised political parties succeeded or failed during 2021 with all its problems – not least of which being the pandemic and the protocol?

There can be little doubt that last year has been a very successful year for Mary Lou and Michelle in leading Sinn Féin to the top of the hill across all 32 counties. It is now widely accepted that SF will be the largest party in the six counties after the Assembly elections in May as well as being in government in the south following the next elections there. Poll after poll has shown SF surging further and further ahead in popularity among the electorate.

The very opposite seems to be the case for Donaldson and the DUP. The past year has seen the once-mighty party of unionism fall into complete disarray and Sir Jeffrey has failed to be an effective leader or bring any sense of cohesion to the DUP. Too many individuals appear to think that they are bigger than the party and do and say their own thing.


The UUP, under new leader Doug Beattie, has had a mixed year. Doug started his leadership in a positive and inclusive fashion, which led many to believe that a new form of liberal unionism might well capture the attention of a forward-thinking electorate. However, sharing a political stance with the PUP’s Billy Hutchinson over the protocol would suggest that he is playing both sides of the coin and this could do the party more harm than good.

As for the SDLP, 2021 seemed to see them treading water and this has been the case for a number of years now. They pose no real danger to SF and are possibly looking for disgruntled unionist votes to enhance their static position. Colm Eastwood has almost played second fiddle to other members of his party and would need to be more to the front in his leadership.

Then we have the beleaguered Alliance Party whose position in politics in the six counties has remained static for decades and there is nothing pointing at this ever changing. Naomi Long seems to have lost some of the personal appeal and charisma she had in the past. The nature of politics in the six counties does not bode well for this middle-of-the-road party.

The PUP is of no political significance and needs no further explanation.

Politics in the six counties could well become something completely different in image in 2022. Unionism, the dominant political dispensation for the last century, looks certain to be overtaken by nationalism and this will create all sorts of problems for it. How unionism deals with this situation will be of huge importance, and could well dictate their role in a new Ireland.

SEAN SEELEY


Craigavon, Co Armagh

A way to remember

During my many years in Scotland I was based in a church close to Celtic Park in the east end of Glasgow. During those years it was my good fortune to befriend many of the club staff who frequently attended Mass in St Alphonsus Church – over the years becoming very friendly with Stevie Chalmers and his family. On a recent visit to Glasgow I was made aware of how Stevie was to be remembered. Over his playing years Stevie lived in Glasgow but on retirement the family moved to the beautiful Ayrshire town of Troon where we continued to meet on the local Gailes Golf Course, frequently joined by his good friend and colleague Bobby Lennox. Stevie was a superb golfer, playing off a very low handicap. The company was jovial and thought-provoking, especially with their stories of success, failure and rivalry – not to mention their pride in winning the European Cup in 1967. While living in Troon, each morning Stevie would take his lovely dog for a walk on the Troon promenade. Sadly Stevie died last summer and his wife Sadie and family were anxious to leave a suitable memorial. With the agreement and support of the local Troon Town Council a memorial bench was placed on the Troon promenade overlooking the route of the regular ferry service from Belfast. The bench carried a very suitable inscription as well as a star indicating European Cup glory. The day on which I stopped by the bench two other gentlemen, strangers to me, stopped to tell me who Stevie Chalmers was and why he was famous. We had a long chat. Stevie would have loved it and Lennox would have delighted in leg-pulling.

Rt Rev MONSIGNOR JOSEPH CHAMBERS


Belfast BT9

Isolation rules putting food industry in jeopardy

It is clear that Omicron is less severe than previous Covid variants. While incredibly welcome that doomsday predictions of 3,000 daily deaths this January have proven unfounded, government policy enforcing seven-day isolation is putting the NHS under almost intolerable strain.

But it is not just the health service that is in jeopardy. For food production, the largest manufacturing sector in Britain, mass quarantining of healthy workers threatens to grind production lines to a halt.

Iceland boss Richard Walker has called for isolation to be cut to five days. His call will be echoed by the whole food industry. We have done so much to keep our staff safe throughout the pandemic by implementing advanced protection and prevention measures at considerable cost. Their efforts to feed the nation have been extraordinary. But now we need government to relax isolation rules - not just to save the NHS, but our essential food industry too.

JAGO PEARSON


Chief strategy officer, Finnebrogue Artisan Downpatrick, Co Down

Ulster Scots missing out

As of January 1 2022 Irish is an official language of the EU. It joins the other 23 languages of the EU. Because it is now an official language at least 200 jobs will be created because all official documents will now be translated into Irish. I feel sorry for those who speak Ulster Scots because with Britain out of the EU it will never be recognised as an official language (not that it ever was a ‘language’ but one never knows if Britain had remained). Just think if Britain had voted remain, German MEPs could be asking ‘What does this Eatin Hoose and Waa Oot mean?’ The translators would inform them ‘They mean restaurant and exit.’

But because Britain is out of the EU that will never happen. It will remain a dialect spoken in and around Ballymena and its hinterlands.

TONY CARROLL


Newry, Co Down