DUP arrogance and sectarianism will not hold us back

The state of public finances and ability to deliver decent public services in the north are facing unprecedented challenges. 

For 14 years from 2010, successive British Tory administrations imposed austerity on the north. The financial allocation from the British exchequer has failed to keep up with the demands on public services. The resulting chronic underfunding has crippled our health service, undermined the capacity of local infrastructure, and entrenched relative and absolute poverty. At the same time rising inflation has contributed to a serious cost of living crisis. 

Before leaving office, the last Tory administration conceded that the north is not funded to need.

However, when the Labour Party entered government this approach continued. 

One of the acid tests for Andy Burnham, now the seventh British Prime Minister since Brexit, is whether he will reverse the policy of underinvestment & put public finances in this region on a sustainable footing. 

Contempt and disregard for the north of Ireland have been a hallmark of English politicians towards the power sharing arrangements since they were established under the Good Friday Agreement. 

But the failure of British government policy does not tell the full story. 

The economic and societal fallout from Brexit continues to directly impact on the capacity of the power sharing Executive to deliver services which citizens rely upon.

The Brexit catastrophe was inflicted on the north by the DUP, in alliance with the Tories. 

Blinded by their own arrogance and supremacism, DUP leaders contemptuously dismissed warnings that the loss of hundreds of millions in EU structural funding would decimate important services and damage the economy. 

But don’t forget; the loss of EU funding and supports came on the back of the RHI scandal presided over by its then Minister of the Economy, and former DUP leader. 

The DUP’s squandering of vast public finances through this scheme created an unacceptable risk to our finances. It also led to instability in our institutions from which the political process has never recovered.

During the last ten years, DUP mismanagement in government; legal actions against Irish language rights; and, its ministers’ pursuit of ‘pet projects’, has significantly and adversely impacted public finances and eroded public confidence in the institutions. 

Ongoing economic inactivity and skill shortages, exacerbated by British government immigration policy, continue to undermine our economic growth. 

At the same time vital services, such as investment in skills training, which are essential to address these challenges have collapsed due to the removal of EU funding. 

During a recent economy committee meeting, the Minister confirmed that the loss of European funds has ‘acutely impacted’ her department and its arms-length bodies. 

The Invest NI resource budget has been reduced by 15%. That translates into tens of millions of lost funding since 2021, for one of the most critical agencies responsible for driving economic development. 

British government indifference towards the north is to be expected. Westminster and English politicians will never act in our interests. 

But DUP arrogance, sectarianism and economic illiteracy have directly contributed to the political and economic instability and chaos we currently endure. 

It is obvious that due to its own internal challenges, electoral pressures from within wider unionism, and the growing momentum for constitutional change, it has brought a wrecker’s agenda into the Executive and Assembly, regardless of the political or community consequences.

Instead of working collaboratively with partners in government to tackle the mounting economic, social, environmental, and cost of living challenges, its representatives engage in so-called ‘culture wars’. Promoting despicable dog whistle politics in the midst of racist attacks against minorities. Preferring race to the bottom politics instead making positive change.

The DUP’s ongoing blocking of the Good Jobs Bill is a direct assault on workers’ rights, and an attempt to derail the most progressive employment legislation in the history of the northern state. 

This stance defies established international best practice and expert research on the interdependence between workers’ rights and economic growth and productivity. 

The DUP has consistent form in this respect. 

Its deep hostility to the equality agenda, disrespect for minorities, and deep hostility towards the Irish language and culture confirms the Party’s lack of commitment to power sharing.

Many people are understandably angry and frustrated. They want positive politics which works for them.

The Assembly returns in September. There are only eight months until the next elections. 

The Good Friday Agreement is 28 years old. 

Constitutional change is fixed on the political horizon. 

If progress is to be made in developing a prosperous and inclusive society, the DUP needs to immediately change course and abandon its wreckers’ agenda.

Proper power sharing based on respect, parity of esteem and equality is the way forward.

It provides a framework to meet the economic and social challenges our society faces; and to engage with the opportunities presented by the potential of Irish unity. 

It’s time for the DUP to make its mind up. 

Much better that it chooses the future and real leadership, rather than the past and negativity.

But wider society won’t be held back.