Such a parcel of rogues…
We’ve now had former US President George Bush Jnr [reportedly at the instigation of US economic envoy to Northern Ireland, Declan Kelly], and Ian Paisley Snr join in the campaign by, amongst others, Sinn Féin’s Martin McGuinness and the NIO and NI Secretary of State Shaun Woodward, to try to pressurise the UUP into toe-ing the DUP/SF party line on tomorrow’s vote on devolving policing and justice powers. Nice to see old comrades working together again… To, apparently, little effect…
The Ulster Unionist executive has endorsed the party’s decision to vote against the devolution of policing and justice powers to Northern Ireland.
Adds I think it’s worth adding a comment I made below
I’ve noted the US involvement here previously.
And it has been positive at times.
Particularly when they had leverage over certain parties.
But my feeling is that, this time, they’re being mis-briefed by other players.
Harry
Conservatives and UUP both support devolution of policing and Justice.
UUP, working with the dysfunctional ‘big two’ know that P&J will be mismanaged along with the other SF/DUP portfolios.
Only when the dysfuntional Executive can do the job it has should it be offered P&J.
But let’s just all sit back and see how the DUP have cocked it up AGAIN.
impartial – the tories support it NOW – Cameron fully supports the hillsborough deal – the UUP dont
they are split
Without American assistance and without British or Irish Government involvement the differing political parties in Northern Ireland would long since have consumed each other in an uncivil war that would made the ‘Troubles’ look like a schoolyard melee.
There may come a time when the Americans , Irish and British politicos can trust the NI locals to sort out their differences without resorting to gunfire . That time is not yet nor will it be for perhaps another decade or two
Remember this lot have the claim for being the world’s ‘slowest’ learners in matters political and democratic:(