Wise up!

I see the PSNI Chief Constable Hugh Orde reckons (senior) Republicans need to "wise up". They should stop thanking the police off the record for stopping loyalist riots but criticising the police force in public and to the press.

 

Now this might be a bit embarrassing for Sinn Féin, and as sure as eggs are eggs we'll see the PR machine go into backlash, but it's very encouraging to be reminded that Republicans can see past their own self-image enough to have a bit of heart towards the police in what everyone would agree were very difficult circumstances.

 

Sinn Féin can have their political differences with whomever they like - that's their right - but the world expects them, as a democratic party, to be committed to the rule of law and to support the police forces on both sides of the border. While the DUP has other things it urgently needs to deal with, this is the Big challenge facing Sinn Féin: join the local NI policing boards and take your rightful place - even the Chief Constable wants to be accountable to Republicans (and if that isn't a tribute to your peaceful strategy I don't know what is).