Over-egged by some as his David Trimble moment, Jeffrey Donaldson’s speech delivered to a sparsely populated House of Commons last Wednesday provided the clearest signal yet that he was finally going to step forward and attempt to lead political unionism out of its self-imposed exile.
The tone and content of the DUP leader’s words clearly sought to put his opponents within unionism - including those in his own party - on the defensive. The move drew a warm response from a political class at Westminster which had almost given up on the prospect of the DUP leader acting in a manner befitting his status.
The Irish News view: It was inevitable that Sir Jeffrey Donaldson would have to face down his unionist critics. But why has it taken him so long?Opens in new windowWhy is the DUP ignoring Labour’s Brexit escape route? – Newton EmersonOpens in new windowIt’s Groundhog Day with latest deadline for Stormont deal - Alex KaneOpens in new windowJeffrey’s difficulty will be in the fact this U-turn has not been preceded by preparatory statements and actions which would have helped those in support of his position to sell such a deal to a grassroots sold a fairy tale of seven tests needing met before they could live happily ever after.
The DUP’s reluctance to return to........