This TV review originally appeared in The Andersonstown News
In Shakespeare’s Macbeth, King Duncan asks if the treacherous Thane of Cawdor has been executed yet. Malcolm tells his father that he has, and that “Nothing in his life/Became him like the leaving it.”
I found myself thinking of those lines as I watched Arlene Foster make her exit as leader of the DUP (BBC ONE). With a window at her back showing Spring greenery, with a neutral butterfly brooch on her bosom, she told us in a neutral voice that she was “stepping down” from her position as leader of the DUP.
“It has been the privilege of my life to serve the people of Northern Ireland as their First Minister and of course my home constituency of Fermanagh/South Tyrone.”
She had served in politics for eighteen years and “there are many people who have helped and supported me throughout that period and I will always be grateful for the kindness and support shown to me by them.” She admitted there’d been ‘downs’ as well as ‘ups’ over the past five years. An up? The DUP’s performance – under her leadership – in the 2017 election. A down? “The RHI Inquiry was, of course, difficult.” She spoke of how she’d broken a glass ceiling for women when she was made DUP leader; but misogyny, she reminded us, was still around, and affected “all women in public life”. And she ended by emphasising how unionist, nationalist and others must learn to live together and share together. “The future of NI will not be found in division. It will only be found in sharing this place we are all privileged to call home.”
What a pity Arlene couldn’t have practised during her tenure what she preached at its sudden end.
Micheál Martin did his “Here comes summer!’ speech (RTÉ ONE) after he had glided down a flight of stairs like Fred Astaire in a black-and-white movie.
And his speech was brimming with pats on the back for the general public and, of course, himself and his government.
“The good news is, the strategy is working. Because of your hard work and sacrifices, we are in a better place…By tonight, one and a half million doses will have been administered.”
But, Micheál noted, we should remember less fortunate countries: “In particular, our thoughts and prayers are with the people of India.”
But after praying, we should note the “welcome freedoms” that’d be restored from 10 May, which he listed like a high-rolling big-spender . After short burst in beautiful Irish (Do oo hear me, Gerry Adams?!) he spoke of the hope “in the faces and laughter” of all those people he’d met at vaccination centres.
“The company of family and friends is returning. Each and every one of us has an image in our head of a moment that we’re looking forward to enjoying when we get through this. I know I have”.
He didn’t tell us what or who his moment of joy would involve, but the message was clear. Arlene might be saying a sad good-bye but he, An Taoiseach, was saying a joyful Hello!
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