Hardly a week passes without two themes asserting themslves in the pages of this newspaper: the tough times being experienced by ordinary families in the teeth of this gruelling recession and, conversely, appalling waste of taxpayers monies by public bodies.
Stand with the people
Two different news stories this week concerning development issues illustrate just how far Belfast has yet to travel before the authorities truly reflect the thirst among ordinary people for a step-change in how the city moves forward.
Unpicking the peace
The shock suggestion from First Minister Peter Robinson that he would bail from the ship of state rather than see the prison service stripped of its one-community symbols will disappoint all those who believe in a shared future for our people.
A welcome sign
THIS week’s announcement by the Attorney General John Larkin that inquests are to reopen into the deaths of 10 of the 11 people killed in the Ballymurphy Massacre of August 1971 is to be welcomed. But the families of the slain have come too far, worked too hard and endured to much to imagine that this will automatically and finally give them part of the justice that they crave.
Alasdair’s day in the spotlight
Cometh the hour, cometh the man will be the hope of SDLP supporters this week as Alasdair McDonnell steps into the spotlight — hopefully with eyes appropriately shielded — as the new party leader.
Steady hand lacking on health service tiller
At the Stormont Assembly last week, politicians queued up to urge Health Minister Edwin Poots to act decisively to prevent the closure of community pharmacies in rural and ‘disadvantaged areas’.