So Martin wants the NIO (and the Secretary of State) to go away? He also wants a transfer of powers. Hmmm… that would include responsibility for British national security [and that nice shiny new building in Holywood – Ed]. It’s got him a decent amount of headlines, but the SoS (or the BSoS according to the SF presser is not going away this side of a more general departure of British sovereignty
Brian Feeney’s nickname for that particularly office holder is the British Proconsul, that’s a steal from the Roman Empire and refers to a governor appointed by the Senate to look after a province usually for a year. The sovereign parliament here remains Westminster, and we know what happened last time Westminster withdrew to safe distance…
Meanwhile, in real news, and much closer to home in Derry (and North Belfast)… The Irish News in a fairly blunt leader this morning has called for a tough policing response to a resurgence of dissident Republican violence, particularly cross border co-operation between the PSNI and An Garda Siochana…
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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