09012024 - Flipbook - Page 14
OPINION
14
TUESDAY JANUARY 9 2024
Pro Fide Et Patria
Nonsensical
criticism
of legacy
challenge
I
N
ANOTHER
of
those
inglorious
episodes which have marked his
tenure as secretary of state, Chris
Heaton-Harris has written to the
Irish government to complain about it
daring to challenge the Tories’ Troubles legacy legislation at the European
Court of Human Rights.
The formal communication, issued
to Micheál Martin in his role as minister for foreign affairs by Britain’s ambassador
to
Ireland,
Paul
Johnston,
is little more than a rehash of the feeble arguments that NIO gures made
when Dublin announced its decision in
December.
The case is a matter of “profound
regret”,
says
Mr
Heaton-Harris,
who
adds that it comes at a “delicate time”,
which he links to ongoing attempts to
revive devolution.
First, if there is any regret, it isn’t at
the British government’s hurt feelings.
Rather, it is at the determinedly cynical way it has ignored the clear wishes
of
a
victims
and
process
survivors
which
has
throughout
resulted
in
the
wholly perverse outcome of legislation
Democracy is firmly on the
ropes ahead of elections
that offers immunity to perpetrators,
– including trying to subvert the 2020 presiden-
stops legacy inquests and means there
tial election – he is way ahead in the race to
can be no more Troubles civil cases.
lead the Republican Party into the next elec-
Second, the idea that the timing is
tion.
an issue is nonsensical. The logic of Mr
the DUP – who are the single self-serving
impediment
to
restoring
pow-
TOM COLLINS
er-sharing – stand poised to end their
Stormont boycott but will now be dissuaded from doing so simply because
Ireland has taken the interstate case.
Even
casual
observers
will
recog-
nise that it is the timing of the DUP’s
arguments
with
itself
which
are
the
real obstacle to establishing an Exec-
T
HE former owner of the Londonderry
Arms Hotel in Carnlough put it well.
“Democracy is the worst form of government
except
for
all
those
other
forms that have been tried from time to time.”
Times have changed since Winston Church-
utive. They will further note that Sir
ill – yes, it was he – made that observation in
Jeffrey
the House of Commons.
give
Donaldson
the
has
impression
managed
that
he
is
to
more
annoyed with Ireland for taking a case
against the UK than he is with the UK
for implementing the legacy legislation
his own party also opposes.
In his letter, Mr Heaton-Harris also
takes a swipe at the Irish government’s
own record on Troubles prosecutions
since 1998. There are undoubtedly serious
questions
here,
which
deserve
to be addressed, but arguing that two
wrongs should make a right is a highly
peculiar approach, even for this abject
Tory administration.
these
cause
of
developments
victims
and
advance
survivors,
the
Mr
Heaton-Harris’s position has probably
obliged him to make an intervention
of this sort. However – and not for the
rst time – he would have been wiser
saying nothing.
He spoke in the aftermath of a brutal war
which brought an end to dictatorships in Germany and Italy, but which led to the domina-
week
The notion that the United
Kingdom is a democracy
is fanciful. You have to go
back to the 1930s to find a
government elected with
more than 50 per cent of the
vote. Of the last three prime
ministers, only one was
endorsed by the electorate
poll
last
ahead
eroded because of his unequivocal support for
Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The incumbent generally has an advantage,
and Biden has a strong record to campaign on,
but polls show a distinct lack of enthusiasm for
an ageing president.
He has to pull something out of the bag if
he is to see off the Trumpites.
It’s not just the United States that needs
their defeat.
On this side of the Atlantic there is also the
prospect of a general election.
The notion that the United Kingdom is a democracy is fanciful.
ters, only one was endorsed by the electorate,
and the current excuse for a national leader
right is on the march.
does not even have a mandate from his own
constitution. It prevents those involved in insurrection from holding public ofce.
Three
come.
and democratic values, has turned in on itself.
appointees, and six of them are right-wingers.
President
of
the
nine
Biden
has
justices
been
are
pretty
party membership.
One
Don’t hold your breath for a positive out-
for so long seen as the champion of free speech
successor from taking ofce.
a
Trump
cent of the vote. Of the last three prime minis-
But memories are fragile and the extreme
Three years ago this month, Donald Trump
electorate,
showed
You have to go back to the 1930s to nd
You would have thought we’d have learned
the far right at the polls; and the United States,
wider
Today
a government elected with more than 50 per
our lesson from history.
pan into the re; the Netherlands has endorsed
the
USA
en’s position among black voters has also been
and fascism in Spain and Portugal.
Hungary has leapt from the Soviet frying
for
among Hispanics and young people, and Bid-
tion of the Soviet Union across Eastern Europe,
attempted a coup to prevent his duly-elected
Although difcult to see how any
of
Among
“
Heaton-Harris’s claim seems to be that
Trump
blunt
about the importance of the 2024 election.
It is, he says, about the future of democra-
of
the
legislative
houses
is
packed
with political cronies, hereditary peers and unelected bishops. The other? What can one say
about a House of Commons mired in scandal?
At least the electorate in England, Scotland
and Wales will have a chance to give their verdict on the Tories later this year.
Along the way he corrupted the Republican
cy in the United States. He is right about that.
But voters in Northern Ireland will have no
Party, opened the door to conspiracists, and
Trump is a narcissist determined to mould the
say in the election of a government which will
seized control of the United States Supreme
state to his own ends.
make life and death decisions over the lives of
Court.
He has said as much on the campaign trail.
people here. In my book, if you cannot vote for
Next month, that Supreme Court is due to
The Colorado case will be heard on Feb-
or against those who govern you, you do not
adjudicate on Colorado’s decision to remove
ruary 8. By then we will have already had the
Trump from this year’s presidential ballot for
primaries in Iowa, New Hampshire and Nevada.
I suspect even the former proprietor of the
contravening the 14th amendment to the US
Although Trump is facing 91 criminal charges
Londonderry Arms Hotel would agree with me.
live in a democracy.