Any temptation to treat the results of the local elections in Northern Ireland in a tribalist fashion must be resisted if the obvious opportunities that the new alignments offer for the development of consensus and democracy are not to be squandered. At the same time, the changes that have taken place in terms of control of, and representation on, councils in Belfast, Derry, Strabane and elsewhere cannot be ignored. It would be wrong to begrudge successful candidates their right to crow - briefly - over defeated opponents. But, in such a deeply divided society, any lasting display of triumphalism would sour political relations even further. And it would add immeasurably to intercommunal tensions during the summer marching season.
The elections could have a significant impact at both local and national level. The ending of unionist, hegemony in Belfast and elsewhere will offer an opportunity to politicians and to political parties from, both communities to reach new, inclusive accommodations which could reduce intercommunal tensions in advance of Drumcree. They could also, provide an impetus for political progress through the Northern Ireland talks process, which is due to resume on June 3rd.
A number of significant developments has marked these elections: nationalists came out to vote in greater numbers than before; the traditional control exercised by unionist parties over a number of councils was broken; Sinn Fein added significantly to its electoral strength; and the loyalist parties - the Progressive Unionist Party and the Ulster Democratic Party emerged as political forces in their own right.
The Democratic Unionist Party was the biggest casualty in these elections, losing 13 seats in all. The Sinn Fein leader, Mr Gerry Adams, and his party are the most obvious winners. His party has continued toe build support within the nationalist community on the basis of Sinn Fein's commitment to the Hume/Adams peace process and to an unequivocal IRA ceasefire. But all recent Northern Ireland elections, from 1993 to date, have been preceded by de facto ceasefires, designed to lull the electorate, and have been followed rapidly by IRA atrocities. This time, the cycle must be broken. Sinn Fein has indeed won a powerful mandate. But it is a democratic mandate, secured on the basis of the party's commitment to peace and to the political process, rather than for its support of the IRA.
The Northern Ireland talks process resumes next month and Sinn Fein is in discussions with the British government over its possible participation. After these results, the IRA can no longer argue that republicans require the crutch of violence to ensure a hearing in democratic politics or a place at the negotiating table. Sinn Fein has been given a new mandate to represent a large section of the nationalist population through the democratic process at local level. The IRA must recognise that authority and put away its weapons for good.