Our regressive, bickering leaders are incapable of fulfilling promise of the Good Friday Agreement

TWENTY years ago, many unionists, including myself, stretched themselves to back the Belfast Agreement. Like many, I was a qualified ‘ Yes’ voter, and I have never moved from that position.

The agreement was a watershed moment in politics.

When it worked generously and openly, Northern Ireland benefited.

However, when ever y thing was reduced to a zero-sum game, when unionism retreated into its siege bunkers and nationalism/republicanism abandoned co- operation to promote dreams of a united Ireland, the opportunities for progress disappeared.

Be under no illusion, Northern Ireland is a much better place due to the risks taken, particularly by unionists, in the attempt to take this place for ward.

Compromise was required, and at times that compromise was met and matched by nationalism/republicanism, but the spirit of working together for the greater good has gone — on all sides.

The vision shown in 1998 by David Trimble and Seamus Mallon has not been matched by Arlene Foster and Michelle O’Neill. Likewise, the generosity of spirit shown by Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness in 2007 has not been matched. The question is, why?

Yet again, Northern Ireland stands at a crossroads of our making. It is highly unlikely that violence on any significant scale is going to return, though we should never be complacent.

Northern Ireland needs to recapture the vision of 1998 and realise the dream of a region at peace with itself and the wider world. Sadly, without a huge shif t and change of emphasis, neither Arlene nor Michelle will be able to deliver even a hint of hope. As such, the spirit of ’98 is dead.

ULTONIAN By email