SF must support policing

"DUP rejects governments' proposal". The BBC headline this morning is misleading. It was no great shakes, just a limp proposal to install a "Shadow First Minister and a Shadow Deputy First Minister" before Sinn Féin play their trump card, namely acceptance of policing in Northern Ireland.

Ian Paisley has already said he won't share power with SF until this happens. The UK government, increasingly in a mediating role between Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams, tabled the proposal as a (somewhat lame) way of getting Paisley to show Adams a bit of goodwill in order, in turn, to encourage Adams to hold a special SF Ard Fhéis (party conference) to secure grassroots backing for giving his party's backing to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Poor Tony Blur just wanted to break the deadlock between the DUP and Sinn Féin, but it didn't work and it makes him look a bit daft if you ask me.

To move forward Sinn Féin must play its trump card - the one that says "We support policing and justice in Northern Ireland". I'm with Paisley on that one. But Paisley has to recognise that's a bold, radical move for Adams. The solution is actually simple, and it's today's Big Thing for Tony Blur:

Forget shadows, Tony, get Ian and Gerry to sign a bit of paper with the following words on it:

1. Sinn Féin is wholly committed to constitutional law and order, will give its full active and enduring support to policing and justice in Northern Ireland and will play its part in shaping policing policy;

2. In view of the foregoing, the DUP hereby agrees to enter power-sharing negotiations with Sinn Féin and others.

Update: Well blow me, they've done just that (and spun it out to 18 pages). Bedtime reading here.