Windsor Castle 'Mandela Moment' must not be squandered

SINN FÉIN’S leadership gave deep consideration to whether or how the party should participate in President Michael D. Higgins’s state visit to Britain.

The deepening political impasse here – fuelled by British Government bad faith and negative political strategy, and political unionism’s intransigence – all weighed heavily on those discussions.

Republicans had to assess whether our attendance at the Windsor Castle events would be a mistake in such circumstances or make a positive political contribution to reconciliation and healing.

The journey of conflict resolution and political change begun by the Irish Peace Process remains incomplete. It has been a slow process. Many challenges have had to be faced.

The Peace Process has had to be consolidated and sustained by important symbolic initiatives. These have been essential to keep forward momentum. They can be described as ‘Mandela Moments’. Martin McGuinness’s meeting with Queen Elizabeth in 2012 was such a moment.

But initiatives and gestures can also be risky. They often involve making uncomfortable decisions when the safe thing might be to do nothing.

Doing nothing this week was one option available to the Sinn Féin leadership. We would have had less explaining to do with the republican base.

However, an initiative was required at this time.

We concluded that participating fully in the state visit, including the engagements hosted by Queen Elizabeth, was an important way to show that the process of change is continuing, despite the wreckers.

Sinn Féin believed that going to Windsor Castle could represent a symbolic demonstration of our unambiguous commitment to mutual respect and parity of esteem; and a sincere gesture of reconciliation and respect towards our unionist neighbours.

This week’s events have the potential to advance the change process and the development of reconciliation.

That potential must not now be squandered.

The British and Irish governments have a huge opportunity and responsibility to build upon the initiatives and risks that have been taken.

The US Government remains a significant influence.

Inertia is the enemy of the Peace Process.  Standing still is not an option.

A political strategy is required to reintroduce momentum and confidence into politics here. Endorsement of the Haass compromises is central to that.

Commitment by all parties and governments to real power-sharing is paramount. That can no longer be conditional. The sectarian bigots and political extremists must be publicly shunned by every section of this community.

The symbolic gestures of reconciliation and respect this week need to urgently translate into more change, reconciliation, healing and a shared future.