Belfast Vital

One of Kneecap is called DJ Próvaí, and one of their songs is called Get Your Brits Out, but they became "terrorists" only when they criticised Israel. Bring this to trial, and see how the British public truly felt.

Even Sarah Bunting, leader of the DUP on Belfast City Council, and Jim Rodgers, one of only two remaining Ulster Unionists among the 60 councillors, have made Israel their reason for objecting to a forthcoming concert by Kneecap and Fontaines D.C. on the council-owned Boucher Playing Fields. Today, tickets sold out in 35 minutes.

Kneecap are hip hop boys while Fontaines D.C. are indie rockers, but some things do seem to transcend even that tribalism. Speaking of tribalism, though, Sharon Osbourne is not Jewish. Her father was, but her mother was an Irish Catholic. She clearly has things going on.

Perhaps managed by Mrs Osbourne, Councillors Bunting and Rodgers should organise a tour of Great Britain by Orange flute bands, to appear in each town or city where Kneecap were playing. Surely that would be more popular than Fenian C**ts, since it would be instantly recognisable as a vital expression of the same culture as obtained in England, Scotland and Wales?

I have also long advocated for the DUP to contest seats throughout the United Kingdom. The Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster has congregations in Bridlington, Bristol, Gardenstown, Lewes, Liverpool, Merthyr Tydfil, Oulton Broad, Rutherglen, South Grove, and Tavistock. Each presumably contains at least 11 adults, one to be the candidate and 10 to sign the nomination papers, so there are 10 Commons seats in Great Britain, twice its present tally in Northern Ireland, that the DUP ought to contest, and let us see how well it did.