There is a familiar temptation in Northern Ireland politics: to announce what government will not do and allow that to stand as an explanation of what it will do. Water is becoming a particularly expensive example. Protecting households from another bill may be a defensible choice. It is not, by itself, a plan for the … Continue reading No water charges is not a water strategy
Tag: history
There is a phrase beloved of unionists: what we have, we hold… but what if what we have is not enough?
No amount of barricades and rallies will deliver change for Northern Ireland. To do so will require vision and a common purpose 26 Feb 2021 7:18 AM Add as a preferred source In a few weeks' time, I will turn 60 and, in my time, I've played a small part in the history of this … Continue reading There is a phrase beloved of unionists: what we have, we hold… but what if what we have is not enough?
The Haass Process
Originally published: 28 December 2013. As Richard Haass and Megan O’Sullivan work to bring this current process to a conclusion it is clear that there will be no surprises. Many years ago the republican movement ceased to believe in the rapid achievement of its objectives by political or military means and settled instead for a … Continue reading The Haass Process
Peace
Originally published: 5 July 2012. Republished on the Cicero’s Voice Blogger site on 10 December 2013. Posted on July 5, 2012 by stephennicholl Recent events have been promoted as representing continuing progress in what is termed our “peace process” yet the truth is that while a handshake can mean a lot, it can also hide … Continue reading Peace
doli incapax
The current consideration of a proposal to raise the age of criminal responsibility in Northern Ireland from 10 to 14 is the latest in a series of reforms over the past 100 years. While there are competing views based on recommendations from the United Nations and other international bodies, Northern Ireland has traditionally looked inward … Continue reading doli incapax
Unionism – A discussion
Periodically the thoughts of some unionists turn to unity, not of Ireland, but of unionism. From a recognition of a loss of power, a loss of control and, to some degree, a loss of political direction comes a desire to gather those of like mind ever closer together. With that desire comes an overwhelming belief … Continue reading Unionism – A discussion
