Adams could destablise the DUP?

This fascinating op-ed in the Belfast Telegraph sees most of the negotiating cards stacked with Gerry Adams. It argues that his internal position within the party and the wider movement is unassailable.It further suggests the DUP has mismanaged its constituency’s expectations of a deal, that Adams might look in that area for further advantage over Unionism:

“…should Adams decide to play for high stakes, he would either come away with a deal or he would have revealed a great weakness in the DUP liberals – their inability to deliver the whole party and the more sceptical half of the unionist electorate. Both scenarios must have their attractions for Sinn Fein”.

But does it suit Adams’s purpose at this stage to expose DUP liberalism as a will-‘o-the-wisp? The likelihood is that he will be indulgent for a little while yet. If he reveals that there is no prospective DUP bride he closes off the possibility of the Lord changing that situation”.

There’s no byline on the internet version. Does anyone know who the annonymous analyst is?

Mick Fealty

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