What a year. It began in the aftermath of the 2001 census results, which for a time at least seemed to halt the progress of much of the public discourse within Nationalism. This was quickly replaced by the oft repeated term Acts of Completion.
The future we were told depended upon the IRA. Brian Feeney was ahead of the curve in January when he said the Agreement would have to be re-negotiated after the next election. But when was that to be exactly?
As Acts of Completion idea became increasingly ephemeral, so the speculation built that May elections would not happen. On Mayday it was confirmed. Six months of intense negotiation between the pro-Agreement parties produced the Framework documents on how progress could be made before elections. We’d then wait until September before anyone was confidently predicting an election in November.
But Trimble had trouble brewing at home. Despite squeezing through a vote of confidence in his party’s ruling UUC, he faced a turbulent political summer. A disciplinary committee established in order to bring the rebels to heal had disasterous results for the party leader.
However, the summer was the quietest in terms of street violence for as long as many could remember. We published our first in-depth report on the future of Unionism to positive reviews. And discussion here at Slugger saw some closing of ranks between communities over the issue of tourism. The All Ulster All Ireland Gaelic football final kicked off a spirited discussion on the future of the game.
Thanks to the generosity of readers, the kind offices of Fortnight magazine, and new team of political voices we were able to bring you on-the-ground reporting from the November elections. The clear victors were the DUP, with Sinn Fein wresting the senior position in Nationalism from the SDLP.
More recently we’ve seen the resignation of Jeffrey Donaldson (Slugger’s scoop), with a story that will undoubtedly lead us into 2004. But what else?
A renegotiated executive-free Agreement? Sinn Fein joining the policing boards? An ending of the decommissioning process and a subtle re-working of the IRA’s constitution? Trimble to remain at the helm of the UUP or a new compromise candidate? An SDLP/Fianna Fail merger?
Mick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty
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