It seems that times really have moved on in East Belfast. At the funeral of the mother of Naomi Long MLA in St Christopher’s Parish Church, Mersey Street there were at least three members of Sinn Féin, as well as an host of other politicians. That’s right, three Shinners in the heart of “Loyalist” East Belfast. 

But things have not changed completely. Whilst in Mersey Street today, we had Sinn Féin politicians rubbing shoulders with the local police, the deputy First Minister is complaining about the actions of their boss, Sir Hugh Orde, the Chief Constable. His crime? To ask for “support from the Special Reconnaissance Regiment to help gather intelligence on dissident republicans” (BBC). At least we can be thankful that mainstream republican freedom fighters terrorists operatives are not out killing people or causing mayhem anymore.