Foyled No More

And so begins the end of Northern Ireland as part of the United Kingdom.

It will continue to exist, but as part of the federal United Ireland that will be necessary to accommodate the differences that have arisen during a century of Partition. Internally, the Queen or her representative might even retain some kind of ceremonial role.

But that the Public Prosecution Service for Northern Ireland has charged Soldier F in relation to Bloody Sunday means that, regardless of the outcome, the institutions of the State in Northern Ireland are preparing for the new order. 

What with all the "backstop" palaver, and what with a British Government's dependence on the thoroughly ungrateful DUP for confidence and supply, the patience of the electorate in Great Britain has been exhausted.

We have never voted to keep a bit of Ireland, and the bit that has long been least like ourselves at that. We have never even been asked.

And magic up imaginary troops to man border posts in five Sinn Féin constituencies and directly facing four more? Whether or not Brexit ever happened, this prospect has focused our minds. As they so in those parts, catch yourself on.