Sir, – In his analysis of unionist thinking, in the context of the current political impasse in Northern Ireland, Newton Emerson comes to the conclusion that the “DUP has created a suspicion among nationalists and others that unionists simply will not accept Sinn Féin winning an election” and that this “perception must be debunked” (“Ahern’s advice to unionists: start talking and don’t delay”, Opinion & Analysis, May 4th).
I am afraid that this suspicion has validity.
Following the May 2022 election, many observers were of the view that the DUP were using the EU protocol as an excuse to avoid the confirmation of a Sinn Féin First Minister in the hope that their hardline approach would benefit them in an October re-run of that election.
To the surprise of the DUP, the Conservative government introduced special legislation to put any election on hold.
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That opinion has been reinforced by the fact that the DUP is now looking for “unspecified improvements” to the Windsor Framework, despite the British prime minister’s categoric statement that the agreement fully protects NI’s place in the UK.
While Bertie Ahern might sensitively describe unionist concerns with the Windsor Framework as “sincere and need to be addressed”, the reality, certainly in respect of the DUP, appears to be somewhat different. – Yours, etc,
MARTIN McDONALD,
Dublin 12.