The UUP – a big apology

In a blog post earlier this week I wrote about the possibility of the mid-size parties in Northern Ireland doing something brave and courageous: stepping outside of their guaranteed cabinet positions in the Northern Ireland Assembly and becoming opposition parties. I forecast that none of the mid-sizd parties (the Ulster Unionists, the Social Democratic and Labour Party, and the Alliance Party) would have the bravery to do this. But, lo and behold, the UUP have decided to become an opposition party. It is a very brave move. It puts pressure on the SDLP and Alliance to justify their stance of propping up a deeply dysfunctional and sectarian Assembly.
I probably disagree with the UUP on most things, but on this issue they have made a very brave decision and Mike Nesbitt has shown leadership.