"DUP MP Gregory Campbell's comments overshadowed all the good of Catherine Connolly's visit to Northern Ireland"
"Those who winced at the exchange between DUP MP Gregory Campbell and President Catherine Connolly in Derry's Guildhall last week may be wondering if the past can ever serve a useful purpose for the present in Northern Irish politics."
"That Connolly referred to the city only by its historical name of Derry, and not with its 1613 prefix, irked Campbell."
An exchange in Derry's Guildhall between DUP MP Gregory Campbell and President Catherine Connolly centered on Connolly using the name 'Derry' without the 1613 prefix. Campbell reacted with visible irritation, and the interaction drew attention that eclipsed the constructive elements of Connolly's visit to Northern Ireland. The naming choice invoked long-standing identity sensitivities and historical grievances tied to community and political affiliation. The moment prompted questions about whether appeals to history can be harnessed productively in contemporary politics or whether such references more often inflame division and distract from substantive engagement.
Read at Independent
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