Ballymurphy came out of familiar playbook | Poots faces a big challenge

Ballymurphy came out of familiar playbook:The response of the Tory government of Boris Johnson, like that of Cameron and of every British and Unionist government for 50 years, has been to cover up the culpability of their forces in the killing and wounding of citizens. On the day that a Coroner found that nine innocent citizens were murdered by the Paras. Downing Street issued a statement in which it said that the British Government intends introducing “a legacy package that delivers better outcomes for victims, survivors and veterans, focuses on information recovery and reconciliation, and ends the cycle of investigations. This package will deliver on the commitments to Northern Ireland veterans, giving them the protections they deserve as part of a wider package to address legacy issues in Northern Ireland.” This is effectively an amnesty.Poots faces a big challenge:More recently Edwin led the charge to get rid of Arlene Foster and now he will face exactly the same challenges that confronted her. It’s all about positive societal change. Change is coming, including on constitutional matters. Edwin must know by now that the best way to deal with the change is to manage it with others. Standing aside may slow progress down but that will only serve to deepen difficulties and will ultimately fail. I hope the Edwin who I came to like faces up to this. He may not. If so he will end up like Arlene.