Former Presbyterian Church moderator Rev. Norman Hamilton has called for compromise in order to restore the devolved government in Northern Ireland. Hamilton believes that politics has become too divisive and that it cannot produce a good government. To protect the union, he believes that unionism must be “bold, visionary, inclusive, and warm-hearted.”
Since February 2022, Northern Ireland has been without a devolved government, and party tensions have been high because the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) is blocking its formation. According to the DUP, post-Brexit trading arrangements between the UK and EU pose a threat to the Union.
The Rev. Norman Hamilton, a former moderator of the Presbyterian Church, believes that mainstream unionism lacks a ‘heart for the vulnerable’ and that divisive politics hinders good governance. In order to reestablish the government, he has urged parties to work together to find compromises.
The DUP has stated that it continues to have reservations about the current framework, as Northern Ireland will continue to adhere to certain EU regulations. Robert Sampson, a DUP voter for decades, stated that he felt the United Kingdom had been “sold out” and opposed power-sharing due to Sinn Féin’s historical ties to the IRA.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the leader of the DUP, has requested additional concessions from the EU, and a vote in the House of Commons passed by 515 to 29, indicating that there was little support for amending the agreement.
Dr. Hamilton believes that in order to protect the Union, unionism must be “brave, visionary, inclusive, and kind.” This week, BBC News Northern Ireland will release a series that examines the future direction of unionism and politics in Northern Ireland in an effort to reach a resolution.
Northern Ireland’s lack of devolved government has a negative impact on society, and politics are becoming increasingly polarised. The DUP is obstructing the formation of an executive in protest of post-Brexit trade arrangements, and Sinn Féin’s historical ties to the IRA are also a source of contention. The Rev. Norman Hamilton, a former moderator of the Presbyterian Church, has advocated for a compromise between the parties in order to restore the government and believes unionism must be “bold, visionary, inclusive, and warm-hearted” in order to preserve the union. Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has requested additional concessions from the EU, despite a vote in the House of Commons passing with little support for amending the agreement. This week, BBC News Northern Ireland will release a series examining the future direction of unionism and politics in Northern Ireland as they seek a solution.
