If the relationship between the UK and the United States is allegedly special, the relationship between Northern Irish politicians and the US presidency is a whole different level.
In the mythologised, Derry Girls telling of the Troubles, Bill Clinton turning on Belfast’s Christmas lights in 1995 heralded a transformative US intervention. One which allegedly managed more in delivering the Belfast Agreement than the hard yards trod by UK and Irish civil servants, the security forces and the more constructive figures involved in local politics.
How can Northern Irish politicians be encouraged to take some responsibility for providing stable, local government?
Since then, Northern Irish politicians have revelled in the purported glamour of a presidential head rub. Even DUP politicians, who have been decidedly cold towards Biden and today’s visit, have in the past relished the delights of a St Patrick’s Day trip to the White House. In anticipation of Biden turning up to open Ulster University’s new campus before hightailing it across the border, the Ulster Unionist leader Doug Beattie even proclaimed in all seriousness that ‘the world’s media will be watching’.
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