Quote of the day

Margaret Ritchie hasn't been above a bit of sectarian grandstanding in the dark and dim past but I think of the two candidates for the SDLP leadership, she is the one that's most likely to push the SDLP out of the communal trenches. Alex Kane has posed her and her party some pertinent questions:

The political priority, therefore, for the next SDLP leader, is to open a serious and unconditional dialogue with the UUP, with a view to setting out an agreed joint strategy for the next Assembly. The agenda is fairly straightforward: what is meant by power-sharing; how do you define a 'shared future'; what is the real purpose of north-south cooperation; how do you establish and promote a collective approach and vision for the next Programme for Government; how do you impose responsibility and accountability; and, most fundamental of all, how do you succeed in 'parking' the constitutional question and get on with governing Northern Ireland for the benefit of all.

the potential is there but, like the UUP, courage is what's needed most at this point.