Recently we have been gifted a wealth of political insights, designed to shape the political agenda which perhaps revealed more than intended. Ian Paisley jnr, an acolyte of Edwin Poots, defending the coup against Arlene Foster referred to his father’s ousting from both his party and Church, noted it had “broken his heart and killed him”. As a Poots supporter, it seems for Junior now the ends do justify the means. After being forcibly retired Paisley snr similarly lost sight of the big picture when being interviewed by Eamonn Mallie. Ian, by then flaunting his lately acquired liberalism and anxious to stick the boot into his successors, claimed to have known, back in the 1960s, of the social and religious injustices meted out to Catholics. I doubt I was the only one who found this revelation interesting, since he hadn’t shared this opinion at the time. Paisley was really admitting his entire political ‘journey’ had been dishonest.
In Derry, after humiliating its two sitting MLAs, Sinn Féin briefed of internal disillusionment regarding party mismanagement and ‘jobs being boxed off’. Clearly some SF members were more equal than others. When Gregory Campbell suggested going to the PSNI if criminality was suspected, SF went into silent mode, relying upon the poor memories of both journalists and voters. Anyway, a message had been sent out to other branches, north and south, no exceptions. In the south, a gentle weeding out process can take place over time as a rising electoral tide, lifting all boats, is less threatening to established faces. In the north, competition must intensify with the SF ebb tide, as the number of seats falls. More awkward however, was the sub-text that, never mind the voters, SF’s unique take on ‘pork barrel politics’ doesn’t even include all its members.
Meanwhile, as the DUP rapidly moved towards terminal velocity with Poots, John Finucane popped up claiming to be “deeply disturbed” at suggestions of UDA interference within the DUP party proceedings. One wonders if John has forgotten what happened to John O’Dowd who ran against Michelle O’Neill in 2019 and was relegated to the backbenches for
his cheek.
Finally, to top it all off, Mary Lou McDonald, told the BBC’s Mark Carruthers that the two retiring Derry MLAs were “absolutely wonderful”. This was an odd testimonial from Mary Lou, given their recent treatment. Holding such contradictory thoughts simultaneously would cause most people to experience brain swivelling contortions but it does make sense, if Mary Lou was speaking personally while accepting someone else’s decision. Magic and secret circle aside, it appears, there are at least two other levels of SF membership, with varying degrees of entitlement, perhaps there are more?
FRANK HENNESSEY
Belfast BT9
Further insights into ‘young Blondie’s’ incompetence
Yet another love bomb letter from Robert Sullivan in favour of the British prime minister or ‘young Blondie’ as he calls him (May 26). One does wonder why Mr Sullivan continues to stay in Co Cork, rather than move to where he could be ruled by someone he considers to be such a magnificent, munificent leader. I have previously advised Mr Sullivan to read Sonia Purnell’s enlightening book about young Blondie, which gives an insight into his character by someone who actually knows and worked with him. It’s possible that he hasn’t had time to do so.
In any event I should like to further encourage him and other readers to read Failures of State – The Inside Story of Britain’s Battle with Coronavirus which has been written by two Sunday Times reporters, Jonathan Calvert and George Arbuthnott. One quote from the blurb of the book states: “After missing key Cobra meetings, embracing and abandoning herd immunity, and dithering over lockdown, Johnson left the NHS facing an unmanageable deluge of patients. His inaction resulted in the deaths of many thousands of British people and his own hospitalisation at the hands of the virus, yet further reckless decisions allowed a deadly second wave to sweep across the country, causing another disaster in the winter months that left the economy on the brink of collapse.”
It was interesting that Mr Sullivan’s letter was published on the very morning that Dominic Cummings was due to give evidence to parliament regarding the British government’s response to the pandemic. It may have been a pre-emptive strike, though much of what Cummings said about young Blondie’s incompetence is backed up by what these reporters have found during their investigations.
DANNY BOYD
Newtownabbey, Co Antrim
Has Robert O’Sullivan no shame?
On Wednesday May 26 The Irish News letters page treated its readers to another letter from Co Cork unionist Robert Sullivan. I would say that this man flies the British flag on Royal occasions in England. Young Blondie, as he describes Tory prime minister Boris Johnson, is Mr Sullivan’s pin up star. Along with British royalty he must possess a colourful home down in Co Cork. Has he no shame – and part of his country under British rule? I am sure that Irish history is taught in Bantry. My advice to him is go to the Irish classics and acquaint yourself with your country’s history. I’m sure Irish News readers are fed up with his unionist/British friends down there in the rebel county.
VAL MORGAN
Newry, Co Down
Celebrate the impact of volunteers
As we mark another Volunteers’ Week, this year is markedly different from others, but the message is still as pertinent; to celebrate and recognise the impact of volunteers.
At Marie Curie, we have 966 dedicated volunteers in Northern Ireland with a combined service of 6,671 years spread across fundraising, caring services, retail, office and support roles. If each volunteer dedicates an hour of their time monthly to us, their value is worth more than £103,000 annually, which is so important to the people at end of life and their families who benefit from their support.
This year has been so challenging for everyone and the third sector has been hit hard, with some of our volunteer roles put on hold or switched to virtual. This has been a difficult adjustment and we’d like to take the time this week to thank all of our volunteers for the many ways they continued to support – every single action taken has helped us enormously.
As we slowly emerge from the gloomy depths of the last 15 months, we look forward to being able to bring back many volunteers and thank them all for their love, support, patience and time.
DAWN FISHER
Marie Curie Northern Ireland
