It’s time to sweep away our sectarian politicians by voting for the future with a democratic coup

IT is time for a coup, a democratic coup. Stormont is not working. So, if our main parties cannot grasp the number one rule of politics (that compromise is essential for the greater good), then it is time that they were swept aside.

The fights from 1690 to 1916 are over. The vast majority of the public recognise this, so why don’t the politicians? Health, jobs, education and the environment — these and so many others are important issues, not the petty tribalism that has plagued us for centuries.

Let us move on and find our place in the 21st century. Let us have an election, where real people vote for real issues and let the politicians declare if they will immediately take their seats or not. Let’s have an election where no definitive declaration of attendance at Stormont should equal no votes.

From voters, it would require that all those fed up with the two traditional parties vote for alternative parties. It would require that all those who do not vote, because they cannot see how our miserable sectarian politicians represent them, use their democratic rights to make this province move forward.

It would require that all those who are fed up with perpetual stalemate, bigotry and border posturing vote only for candidates who state categorically that they will take their seats, go to Stormont, work together and make something come out of that damned building that would affect our real lives. Brexit has given us an extraordinary opportunity to make the economy of the Six Counties work for once. Europe wants us to have special status.

This opportunity should not be squandered on old arguments; rather let us use it for our own advantage.

There are many businesses — from banks to services and manufacturers — which seek a presence in Europe, while still wanting their place in Britain. Special status for Northern Ireland can make us unique, strengthening our place both in Europe and in Britain.

TRULY FED-UP VOTER Bangor, Co Down