Politicians have duty of care to electorate

DAY by day, I have been saddened and hurt by the state of our political stagnation. It was brought home to me when I saw the photograph of the ‘In’ and ‘Out’ trays in your paper.

Every level of our society, every citizen, man, woman and child are affected by the absence of the Assembly, which was hard fought-for.

I have been asked by people practically every day why the two major parties, with their massive electoral power, do not try more to improve the hardship, the feeling of being forgotten and the general opinion that we have been really let down by the people who looked for our vote to elect them to ensure that the people (and Northern Ireland generally) would progress as much as possible.

I have to say that our present chaos is a result of political parties who are to the forefront of our political structure being more concerned in keeping their power, rather than agreeing to work together for the people who elected them.

If an agreement was reached, they would be rewarded by a grateful electorate.

I know it is an old and naive idea, but I do respectfully remind all politicians that they do have a duty of care to those who voted for them to help all citizens have their rights recognised.

I trust that the hope and optimism shown in 1998 can be found again. I have the privilege of knowing and working with the leaders of all the political parties and I believe they could make Northern Ireland stable and peaceful again. Civil and business society will be behind them in achieving success.

EILEEN BELL

Former Speaker, Northern Ireland Assembly

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