Transfer of Powers
Well its done and what a blessing. As predicted the Ulster Unionists, these dodgy partners of the Conservative Party, voted against on the basis of an argument which was the usual self fulfilling Unionist obstructionism which has bedevilled the history of Ireland for generations.
The Conservative Party now looks foolish. It supported the transfer. Their allies did not. Cameron’s judgement in entering into the pact causes deep unease on both sides of the Atlantic and his inability to persuade these bigoted people to see reason has made him look weak. More and more people are having second thoughts.
There is a way ahead. Cameron said he could not tell the Unionists what do do. Maybe so. But he could have said the pact depended on following the policy of the senior partner in this cynical team up. Today he should tear up the pact. Otherwise the remaining chance that he might become Prime Minister will hazard the bi-partisan nature of the British Government’s even handedness in helping to navigate the rocky road ahead. Dublin needs an impartial ally. Otherwise it will look, with everybody else, to the United States. There have been some very bad calls from Cameron. The Tories now need a good one. Without it, all his presentational skills and money raising bounty may well be wasted.