By this time next week, the Assembly will be up and running and Sinn Féin and the DUP will be sharing power with the UUP and SDLP. Who could have thought it would come so smoothly? In many ways, the achievement of bringing two diametrically opposed political entities to share power has taken us all by surprise. Despite what the critics say about all politics here being choreographed – and involving too much compromise – this is what the people wanted. Already the signs are good: Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness have appeared together in public as First and Deputy First Minister and there has been no obvious friction.
If things look good, it is because they are good. After the horror of the Troubles, let's not begrudge ourselves this peace and its associated hope. Ordinary people here have a chance at last of meaningful input into ordinary politics. So, let's not be shy about reminding those we elected of our wish-list for the coming years.
Clearly, in West Tyrone, we want proper hospital and health services, including ambulance cover to service a large rural tax-paying population. We want roads and jobs, including government jobs devolved West of the Bann. We want a swing away from Belfast's self-importance to include places like Strabane and Sion Mills which have been hammered again by the closure of major textile mills.
We want investment in education, particularly for special needs which have been scandalously neglected of late. We want PPS14 replaced by legislation which is both fair to the rural population and protects the environment.
Water rates are not on, not because people think that water should be free, but because they don't want to pay twice for the same service. Rates already cover water services. If they've been misused by consecutive direct rulers, we shouldn't have to divvy up for them. We deserve our due.
But what we want most of all, is that our ministers break free from the undue influence of their senior bureaucrats. For too long, faceless mandarins have warped the very concept of public accountability. We want the stamp of authority from ministers to reflect the manifesto promises they made in March.
Finally, we want fair play for all, with no sectarian interests being protected or nurtured by any party or minister in government. It's really not much, but it means a lot to us.
