Strange absence of crisis

By Jim Fitzpatrick BBC NI Politics Show

Jim Callaghan did not see a crisis in 1979

"Crisis? What crisis?" This well worn phrase is, of course, heavy with irony.

When Jim Callaghan first uttered those three fatal words in 1979 Britain was deep into the Winter of Discontent.

The Tories romped to victory in the subsequent general election because Labour was seen as incompetent and aloof.

Returning from the Christmas break this week, the phrase came to mind as I watched Peter Robinson and Martin McGuinness introduce the Financial Assistance Bill at Stormont. But the irony was absent.

For, although the bill in question is clearly designed to deal with a crisis, the striking thing about local politics this week is how they're getting on with things. We're used to crises here, we expect them.

But for the first time since devolution returned in the aftermath of the Good Friday Agreement, there appears to be no crisis, or even looming crisis, in the workings of the Stormont regime.

Even policing and justice is no longer a crisis issue. The committee charged with dealing with it will this week publish a much-leaked report.

Thorny details

It skirts round some of the more thorny and unresolved details, but there's no sense that anything will derail the project.

As Peter Robinson outlined to the Assembly the benefits of his new piece of legislation this week, Martin McGuinness sat opposite nodding in approval at all the right moments.

The 'ceasefire now' banner made a return to the city hall

The new law will centralise more power in their joint office. Far from being at loggerheads, the fear among the smaller parties in government is that Team DUP/Sinn Fein is working too well.

This political sea change is evident on the streets too. The "Ceasefire Now" banner carried by the trade unions to the City Hall hasn't been seen in about 15 years. The message is the same, but they're protesting about violence in Gaza, not Northern Ireland.

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In fact the bloody conflict in Gaza has been the one issue upon which the DUP and Sinn Fein could loudly disagree in recent weeks. I've no doubt many of them care deeply about the situation, but you can't help wonder if they've contrived to disagree with one another over Gaza simply to have something to argue about.

New phase

Politics feels as if it's entering a new phase. For a long time, the politicians have received credit for simply surviving and staying in business. Now, with an expectation that the major issues are resolved, they will need to do more to prove their worth. So, even if Paddy Power offers good odds, don't risk a fortune betting on the death of crisis politics. You never know when they might need one.

On The Politics Show this Sunday, Kevin Sharkey has been to Edinburgh to meet First Minister Alex Salmond and find out how Scotland scrutinises its politicians compared to Stormont. Robin has more on this. I'll be talking to Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

See you Sunday

Jim

PS - For the record, Jim Callaghan never said "Crisis? What Crisis?". It was simply a brilliant headline in the Sun. Returning from an economic conference in the West Indies, Mr Callaghan was asked about the problems at home: "I don't think other people in the world would share the view [that] there is mounting chaos," was what he actually said.