By Trevor Ringland, NI Conservatives' Co-Chair
Next year sees the 100th anniversary of the ‘Christmas Truce’. Over the 24th and 25th of December 2014, British and German troops famously climbed out of their trenches, to play football, exchange gifts and sing carols in ‘no-man’s land’, with men who were considered the enemy.
The truce was not sanctioned officially by military leaders, it was observed more completely in some areas than others, but it grew gradually, out of small acts of empathy and friendship, across the battle-lines.
In Northern Ireland, we’ve never had all-out war, but it has sometimes felt like two sides eying each other warily from metaphorical trenches. It can also seem, particularly at the moment, that while most people have clambered out to get on with everyday life in ‘no man’s land’, our political leaders are still dug in behind their traditional defences.
It’s that continuing failure to move politics on, which has encouraged some fanatical elements, who can’t seem to stop fighting. So while people in Belfast partied in the city’s vibrant Cathedral Quarter, someone tried to blow them up with a bomb. And while others shopped in the run up to Christmas, a man set himself on fire, attempting to plant an incendiary device in a golf store.
No-one would say that the political parties are responsible for these nihilistic acts of violence, but continued division and stalemate provide an atmosphere where they can occur.
In the run-up to the festive period Dr Haass has presided over negotiations between the executive parties. The talks are yet another attempt at resolving issues which could help create a more stable, peaceful society in Northern Ireland, which everyone can share, properly.
It was small acts of bravery from ordinary soldiers which created the Christmas Truce 100 years ago and the attitudes of ordinary people have produced the most hopeful signs that Northern Ireland is moving on today. Grass roots projects which are helping break down barriers around interfaces, support for educating children together, backing for shared social housing and a feeling that current politicians are not keeping up.
Let’s not make the mistake of getting back into our trenches. Let’s see different, more constructive attitudes and let’s see real politics with a can-do approach come to the fore in Northern Ireland, as we embark upon a New Year, and the anniversary of the Christmas Truce of 2014.
Happy Christmas.