We’ve reached the butt end of unionism

SINCE the signing of the Good Friday Agreement, the British government always had to bear in mind the desirability of keeping the Unionist Party comfortable with the devolution project.

A lack of governmental diplomatic delicacy carried the electoral danger of the DUP replacing the Unionist Party as the majority voice for pro-union voters. This was every unionist leader’s big stick. But our electorate spoke and now there’s no need for equivocation from the Secretary of State.

O’Neill, Chichester-Clark, Faulkner and, finally, Trimble had to go, each undermined by the contemporary manifestations of the right wing in the party, all accusing their leaders of being too concessionary. Always, the spectre at the subsequent celebratory feast was Dr Paisley.