As I have said many times, the Decade of Half Centenaries is much more relevant than the so-called Decade of Centenaries that the Conflict Resolutionists obliged us to commemorate in a futile attempt to tell us that we have a “shared history”.
Just two months after Bloody Sunday …28th March 1972, the British Government abolished Stormont and imposed Direct Rule from Westminster.
Tens of thousands of unionists and loyalists went to the Stormont estate to protest and show support for the deposed unionist government.
I saw hardly any mention of this on Monday…the 50th anniversary.
Direct Rule in 1972 led to fresh elections in 1973 and months of negotiation to set up a power-sharing Executive (UUP, SDLP, Alliance) which lasted less than six months before being deposed by loyalist protests.
Norn Iron was without a government from the summer of 1974 thru to after 1998 Good Friday Agreement.
So….it is ironic that fifty years after those loyalists protested at Direct Rule, the DUP are talking about not participating in government after the elections in just five weeks time.
And we might have…Direct Rule.
Keeping An Eye On the Czar of Russia 
Are you expecting an SDLP gain in FST?
Reasonable chance.
Theres up to three seats where they need to hold on. And theres another three they could gain and Fermanagh-South Tyrone is one of them.
It will come down to less than 5,000 votes spread over 18 consituencies.
That’s good to hear
SDLP candidates always seem good. But best not to get hopes up as they’re often dashed. Will you be doing a constituency profile for all constituencies?
Oh yes. But I need to visit them all. In the case of Fermanagh-South Tyrone that means both Dungannon and Enniskillen but misses out the villages.
In a few larger towns, there are usually canvassers about in main streets like Newtownards and Bangor.
Always interesting to watch whether they approach voters or if voters approach them.
Looking forward to reading those Fitz. SDLP have genuine cause for optimism in WB & Strangford. Balanced by risks in UB, LV & SD. Overall I’m very impressed by their calibre of candidates across the board.
They need to go in hard, especially in South Down.