Violence will disenchant moderates in unionism

AFTER their last meeting on Thursday ahead of the Easter break, some may have expected Stormont ministers to hold their usual Covid press conference.

It would have been an opportunity to provide an update on restrictions and reiterate the public health message over the holiday period, when many people may be tempted to break the rules.

But no press conference was held. No ministers were on hand to answer questions.

Instead, details of changes to restrictions from April 12 were confirmed in a press release.

This is a practical example of the impact of the deepening political fallout over the Bobby Storey funeral controversy.

It has been a difficult week of heightened tensions over such an emotive subject.

On Thursday, there was a palpable atmosphere as the recalled Assembly debated for two hours a motion censuring Sinn Fein ministers for attending the funeral last year.

Michelle O’neill, who was among the 24 Sinn Fein politicians who learned they will not face prosecution, offered a “heartfelt and unreserved” apology for the hurt caused.

But for some her carefully worded contrition yet again did not go far enough.

The party’s failure to adequately handle this controversy from the outset means it will continue to be damaged by it. Political unionism on the other hand has been galvanised behind a common cause.

Unionism has for months been under pressure attempting to deflect blame for problems with the NI Protocol.

However, the outrage risks worsening an already febrile atmosphere in some communities over Brexit, which is difficult to contain if anger continues to spill on to the streets .

All of this simply further disenchants “soft u” unionism, bolstering more moderate parties at the next election in just over 12 months’ time.

Political unionism has been galvanised by common cause

BY BRENDAN HUGHES