November Articles

It is superficial to blame religion for the Troubles in Northern Ireland

“You may strip yourself naked, cover yourself in butter and worship a daffodil,” said an (sadly unnamed) Belfast Unionist 50 years ago, who was quoted on Irish radio programme on Sunday. Published: 30 November 2021 “All I ask is that you don’t make me do it.” He...

Theresa May’s weakness is ultimately to blame for the Northern Ireland Protocol

I‘ve recently been reading too much about the UK-EU Brexit negotiations past, present and to come, and am delighted that at last some substantial work is being produced that answers some questions that have been bothering me for a long time. Published: 23 November...

The SDLP should return to the moral clarity of Austin Currie

In the week in which Austin Currie died, two members of the SDLP — the party he co-founded — made comments about the RUC that would, I believe, have shocked that anti-sectarian. Published: 16 November 2021 As his friend the UUP’s Lord (Ken) Maginnis said of him,...

A draining Sunday visiting killing sites along the border, then at Lyra McKee film

I had a strange, draining and unforgettable Sunday. Published; 9 November 2021 It caused among many other emotions sadness, despair and occasionally laughter, during a tour of killing sites and memorials in south Armagh and at the launch in Belfast of a documentary on...