ON LEAVING the Waterfront Hall in Belfast last night after the UTV leaders’ debate Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness would have been pleased with themselves.
Alliance leader David Ford would have been reasonably content as well, although he must wonder if his honest and “realistic” view that water charges are inevitable could do the party damage in these straitened times.
Ulster Unionist Party leader Tom Elliott and his SDLP counterpart Margaret Ritchie will have been less happy, perhaps smarting at how the First Minister and Deputy First Minister came across as the alpha males in this five-handed battle chaired by UTV’s Marc Mallett.
Neither Mr Elliott nor Ms Ritchie were guilty of any major blunder but it was clear they were out-pointed by Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness, the former in crisp, clear, assertive mode, the latter in his new statesmanlike mode, although capable of employing the knuckleduster.
Mr Elliott could justifiably complain of a “mutual carve up” by Mr Robinson and Mr McGuinness because, while the DUP leader would eschew any notion of a double-act with Sinn Féin, they certainly worked harmoniously in seeking to undermine their Ulster Unionist and SDLP opponents.
With five leaders only so much can be crammed into less than an hour of debating time. They covered issues such as dissidents, the economy, education and creating a non-sectarian society.
Mr Elliott attempted to score points against Mr McGuinness claiming there were “mainstream” republicans who were assisting the dissidents. But the Sinn Féin man was assured on this matter, accusing the UUP leader of a “cheap” shot and insisting that anyone with information about the murder of Constable Ronan Kerr should bring it to the police. He said dissidents “can only succeed if we fail – we don’t intend to fail”.
There was one particularly angry exchange between Mr Robinson and Mr Elliott on Sinn Féin Minister for Education Caitríona Ruane. The UUP leader said Mr Robinson had praised her, which prompted some of that old Robinson fury to re-emerge. “That’s an absolute lie,” he thundered.
It was clear Mr Robinson has no time for Ms Ruane but it seemed clearer that he is equally if not more dismissive of his UUP rival.
Mr Elliott complained about a lot of talk of reducing the size of the Northern Executive and the number of MLAs sitting in the Assembly but nothing actually happening. It was a fair point, earning another cutting rejoinder from Mr Robinson: “Somebody needs to break the news to him that he has got two ministers in this Executive.”
What was striking about the debate was how well Mr McGuinness and Mr Robinson get on together, even though the First Minister for obvious electoral reasons did not major on this point.
The debate was also indicative of a changing society in Northern Ireland. Mr Elliott made one attempt to bring the record of the Provisional IRA into the mix but it didn’t work. There was unanimity in condemning the dissidents but also implicit acceptance that the IRA’s war is now history.
NI LEADERS' DEBATE: HOW THEY FARED:
DUP
PETER ROBINSON:
Performance: Assured, confident and a little arrogant at times. Comes across as in control of his brief, with the energy and intelligence to lead into the future.
Key moment: When he interrupted Alliance leader David Ford who said water charges were inevitable. “People are paying enough, they can’t afford to pay any more,” said Mr Robinson, gaining the populist upper-hand.
Key phrase: On the dissidents: “This is a conflict between terrorism and democracy and if people stay at home they are silent on this issue . . . if this community can stand together, the terrorists cannot win.”
SF
MARTIN MCGUINNESS
Performance: Calm and assured. He was quite statesman-like, emphasising Stormont could only succeed through "team" work and repeatedly pointing to how well he and Peter Robinson were
working together.
Key moment: Rejecting Tom Elliott's assertion "mainstream" republicans were supporting the dissidents; reiterating Sinn Féin's support for the PSNI and revulsion at Constable Ronan Kerr's killing.
Key phrase: On the dissidents and their attempt to "unnerve" young people from joining the PSNI: "We are proud of these young people, not just young Catholics but young Protestants also".
UUP
TOM ELLIOTT
Performance: Did reasonably well but was outshone by Mr Robinson with whom he is competing for unionist votes. He also tried to question Mr McGuinness on his bona fides over condemning the dissidents but the Sinn Féin man swatted away this challenge.
Key moment: Claiming that Mr Robinson had once described Sinn Féin Minister for Education Caitríona Ruane, as "great", catapulting the First Minister into almost a state of apoplexy and accusing Mr Elliott of telling an "absolute lie".
Key phrase: On Stormont reform: "Let's get on with it and do it. Like so much in the last Executive, it didn't happen."
SDLP
MARGARET RITCHIE
Performance: Delivered ameasured performance but found it difficult to score points over the two principals – Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness.
Key moment: "Oh now, Peter. Oh now, Peter." Remonstrating against Peter Robinson when he said she would never again be in a position to hold an economy ministry in the Northern Executive.
Key phrase: "The main issue on the doorstep is, 'How I can get my son and daughter a job?'."
ALLIANCE
DAVID FORD
Performance: Was cool, good-humoured and articulate, asserting Alliance's focus
on creating a shared future for everyone in Northern Ireland.
Key moment: When he was explaining why the issue of water charges could not
be avoided. He wasmaking his point well, but then he was undermined when Mr
Robinson adverted to this week's 40 per cent rise in gas prices and how people
were struggling to pay their bills.
Key phrase: "We have set out a vision of a society where people can live and learn,
work and play together in safety – a better society, more peaceful, more prosperous,
more vibrant . . ."
