Twelfth Day celebrations pass of peacefully. The Twelfth Day parade usually brings with it anxiety around protests, riots, drunkenness and political hostility. This year however, parades right across the province, celebrating the Williamite victory of the Battle of the Boyne, passed off without incident. This peaceful and respectful Twelfth may well provide the much needed catalyst for a successful talks process at Stormont; failing this we would once again be witnessing a situation whereby Northern Irish society is progressing much faster than its political leadership.

The bonfire debacle. The Eleventh Night celebrations conflated with that of the Twelfth Day celebrations. There has been much controversy surrounding this years Eleventh Night bonfires, from stolen wood pallets to thoughtless placement of unsafe bonfires next to peoples homes. Whilst a feeble injunction was issued by Belfast City Council against such unsafe bonfires, it was too little too late. Next year genuine efforts must be made between politicians alongside their respective communities to achieve an outcome that is both accommodating to the wishes of bonfires builders, yet safe and inclusive for the whole community to enjoy.

Theresa May faces pressure to soften her Brexit plans. Former civil service head, Gus O’Donnell, warned Theresa May that her plans for Brexit are unrealistic, and unless revised will end in the UK crashing out of the European Union. O’Donnell has criticised the ambitious timeframe in which May has set out to leave the EU, claiming that a more extended period would result in a smoother exit. This has come as yet another challenge to the Prime Minister who is facing much fierce criticism in regards to her approach to the Brexit negotiations.

The UK’s desire to remain part of the single market will not come without cost. Tony Blair has warned that the UK’s desire to stay within the European single market after Brexit will likely come hand and hand with the prolongation of the free movement of people. This likely compromise will undoubtedly be met with much hostility by those Brexiteers who voted to leave the European Union in the hope to have tighter controls on Britain’s borders.

Northern Ireland continues to be left without a voice in the Brexit Negotiations. This week, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones met with Michel Barnier to discuss the implications of Brexit on the devolved regions. Since the collapse of the Assembly in January, Northern Ireland has been left without a voice despite the risks to the peace process and stability of the region in the event of a hard brexit. It is imperative that we see the formation of an Executive with the coming months to ensure Northern Ireland’s voice is heard.