A schism in Ulster is inevitable

The fate of the Stormont Assembly, and a Brexit resolution of a kind, now rests on the uncharismatic shoulders of DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson and his judgment call on the Windsor Framework.

If Donaldson declares the abstruse new EU trading arrangements on the enhanced flow of chilled meats to Ulster a victory, then Stormont will re-start and the usual divisive politics of Northern Ireland begin again.

If he goes for the treachery button, then the long campaign in the wilderness against the perfidious and varied enemies of Ulster will go on – much to the consternation of Downing Street.

As closed as the Kremlin, it is never easy to forecast the DUP’s future intentions. But acute observers believe Donaldson’s private inclination – and most of the DUP Stormont Assembly MLA members – is to return if only to resume close political combat with Sinn Fein over the various jobs, glories, titles and funding streams Stormont provides.