THE DUP have been getting hammered for quite some time now for not ending their boycott of Stormont. Their critics have not just been the nationalist parties, the UUP and that other unionist party, the one with a small ‘u’ (Alliance), continually urging them to end the boycott and get back into the Assembly. All the criticism and urging has fallen on deaf DUP ears. That has been the case up until now. But suddenly the pressure seems to be proving too much and cracks are starting to appear. Has Jeffrey Donaldson suddenly realised he can’t brass-neck it any longer? Getting into bed with the hardliners in his own party and the more extreme elements of unionism and loyalism comes with a price.
It looks as if Donaldson may be the author of his own downfall. What a legacy that would be. The question now is: “What is Donaldson going to do?” He has dug himself that big of a hole that it may be impossible to escape from it.
Donaldson is now on the horns of a dilemma. My guess is he has two choices. First of all, he can take the bull by the horns and declare he is calling off the boycott and getting back into the Assembly. His second option requires more spade work, and he digs even deeper, but then digging your own political grave is not what you would call a choice. And when I think of it, the first option I mentioned is fraught with danger as far as his political career is concerned. He could be committing political hari-kari. Either way you look at it, Donaldson is in a dicey situation and will probably end up sooner than he has planned in that big mausoleum for failed and burnt-out politicians – the British House of Lords.
I am sure that Jeffrey Donaldson and the wider unionist community would not accept my advice, but I will offer it anyway. It’s a fact that huge changes are going to happen in this place in the not-too-distant future. I would recommend the entire unionist constituency obtain a copy of the ‘Serenity Prayer’. It starts of like this: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference.”
SEAN MASKEY
Belfast BT15
DUP content with state of affairs
Reading Alex Kane’s article – ‘DUP negotiating from position of weakness – and British government know it’ (July 21) – one is again left with an image of a political commentator poking at a unionist body politics, especially the DUP, to see if there are any indications of insight into the consequences of their actions.
His paragraph, which reads like a crie de coeur from an insightful observer, is worth recalling: “What leverage does it, the DUP, have with the prime minister? Is it prepared to wait for a Labour government? Is it afraid to move in case yesterday’s elections cripple Sunak and face an early general election? Is it stupid enough to believe another hung parliament would allow it to return to the role of king maker?” Telling and challenging.
Yet again why should the DUP feel it necessary to address uncomfortable questions? We have a British Secretary of State, no less, telling us that after more meetings, ‘good progress’ has been made. The DUP regurgitates its mantra about legislative change. Sinn Féin says the situation is unsustainable. Nothing except Mr Heaton-Harris’s feedback that good progress has been made.
My own take on this parody pantomime is that Mr Heaton-Harris has made progress. No, reader, not on the agenda of people here, but on his success on keeping this can of worms away from No 10.
His inconsequential, meetings with parties separately gives a veneer of ‘something being done’ but the only agenda being met is epitomised by Mr Heaton-Harris’s prevarication, objurgation and misspeak.
I know the DUP will be content with this state of affairs, but maybe it is time for other parties to say to the secretary of state that they are not playing this game any more.
MANUS McDAID
Derry City
Show respect for places of pilgrimage
I would like to draw attention to the treatment of sacred places. I refer to the ancient monastic site St Cooey’s Wells, near Portaferry. This place of pilgrimage, where Mass is celebrated at least once a year, as is Cemetery Sunday, is beautifully maintained by the hard work and dedication of a team from Portaferry and surrounding area.
People from all parts of the world come to this place of calm and contemplation - and few days pass without a good number of visitors.
Although a sign on the approach to the site does refer to the management of dogs and the requirement of a sense of reverence, I notice, more often these days, some animals off leash and running through the sacred stream which feeds the Holy Wells.
I do not say that this is done with any malicious intent – most visitors are respectful – but more likely it is through lack of understanding of the nature of this historic Christian monastic site, which comprises the remains of St Cooey’s Church and Graveyard and several Holy Wells – a place for reverence, prayer and respect, where everyone is welcome.
ISABELLA CORR
Greyabbey, Co Down
Ecumenical witness called over RSE
The crimes of Lucy Letby remind us how paediatric medicine has advanced and must also make us ask if calls for abortion decriminalisation are barbaric.
Neonates survive from around the sixth month of pregnancy and the NHS website’s ‘Dating Scan’ shows how the three-month unborn human is already well developed.
The UK government is set to inflict RSE (‘relationship and sexuality education’) on local children. This may include material seeking to normalise abortion and a bold ecumenical witness is called for.
Churches should publicise ’Dating Scan’ and encourage congregations to discuss it.
JAMES HARDY
Belfast BT5
