Irish Examiner view: Biden shows how politics might work

Huge changes on the wind

The DUP's Edwin Poots. If he prevails it seems but a matter of time before the DUP reverts to being a marginalised but toxic influence.

Successful opportunists of all kinds, not just political, will spend this bank holiday weekend winnowing speculation from probability especially as the adage — opportunity knocks but once — is overwhelmed by events across these islands. It is received wisdom that opportunity calls but for the next few weeks, maybe even months, that knocking may reach a cacophony as seismic shift looms on at least four fronts. Great change approaches, how it unfolds, if it unfolds, will be significant.

Arlene Foster’s announcement on Wednesday, that she would stand down as DUP leader and, in June as Stormont’s first minister, presents the most immediate opportunity. The character and ambition of her successor will have an impact far beyond the shrinking, flintily conservative constituency that party represents. Should the fundamentalist wing, in the person of Stormont agriculture minister Edwin Poots, a creationist and the overwhelming choice of a majority of MLAs, prevail then it seems but a matter of time before the DUP reverts to being a marginalised but toxic influence.