Suffering ordinary people deserve better than failing public services and political paralysis

THE past two years, for many people, have been dominated by Brexit, but health, education and business are important too.

As we in Northern Ireland face a General Election, our people deserve better than the uncertainty and political paralysis that has been our lot since the shutting down of Stormont.

For almost three years, not having a government has led to a wave of problems and issues.

Have our public representatives lost the plot? Are they so out of touch with reality? Do they not realise the real problems people have? The suicide rate continues to soar, and what do we hear from our politicians? “We are ready to go back into Stormont, but...” For the sake of our people, go back. By failing to do so and failing to take your seats, you are abusing democracy.

Your red lines are causing hard lines and suffering for all those waiting for surgery or cancer treatment. Do you care?

How did these politicians get away with causing so much misery and hardship to so many people for so long?

Did the shutdown of Stormont happen because we (yes, you and me) failed to love our neighbour?

Were we more interested in other things than the safety and security of those who live in our cities, towns and villages?

Did we fail to pay attention to their needs because we were too wrapped up in our own? Surely, it is never too late to learn?

Bad things happen not always as the result of calculated malice, but when we simply fail to pay attention; when we go about our lives thoughtlessly, carelessly and selfishly.

I will continue to pray for peace in our world and in our hearts and for those elected to serve the needs of all our people.

“Lord, take our hearts of stone and give us hearts of flesh.”

THE VERY REV JOHN F A BOND Broughshane, Co Antrim