Stormont, take note

I nearly fell off my chair when I saw that DUP councillor Thomas Kerrigan has been elected chairman of Strabane District Council, somewhere so green the grass looks pale. SDLP councillor Eugene McMenamin said, "Times have changed, times are moving on, we are all moving into a new phase ... If the people at the higher level can get together the way we have here in Strabane, I think we'll have a bright future ahead for everyone in Northern Ireland."

 

Certainly a Big statement. But even Bigger is the fact that Cllr McMenamin said 'Northern Ireland', not 'the Six Counties' or 'the Occupied North'. No doubt he'll come under fire for that from the more revolutionary elements of Irish nationalism, but he and Cllr Kerrigan should be applauded for working together in this way - in Strabane of all places. Well done, all.

 

Meanwhile I see MLA's have failed to agree, not on a power-sharing government, but on who should chair the committee tasked with bringing about such a power-sharing government. Isn't it pathetic? My congratulations (and sympathy) go to all those MLAs of various colours who are trying to reach out and break the deadlock.