Keeping the peace

THE seismic election victory of Sinn Fein, the sinister political party which cheered on the IRA’s cold-blooded murderers, will sicken anyone who rejects violence.

Yet a disastrous split in the Unionist vote has seen them become the northern Ireland Assembly’s largest party for the first time.

Though unpalatable, it is a pitfall of the democracy we rightly treasure.

But encouragingly, their seat tally and vote share did not improve on the last election.

Inevitably, Sinn Fein is already demanding a referendum on Irish reunification, but there is no evidence of a majority for that.

The truth is, people in the Province care more about politicians fixing their huge social problems – creaking health system, housing shortages, unemployment.

The first ticking timebomb to defuse, however, is the DUP’s threat to continue boycotting the executive until the flawed northern Ireland protocol is ditched.

This post-Brexit agreement effectively places a border down the Irish Sea. But inflexible EU customs checks have severely stunted trade, fuelling Unionist resentment.

If Stormont does not sit, old sectarian tensions will reignite – jeopardising peace.

Boris Johnson must persuade the DUP to end its petulance, while urging Brussels to overhaul how the protocol works.

During Brexit talks, the EU insisted its priority was to maintain stability in Ireland. They must now live up to their word.