As inter-party talks at Stormont intensify, the Secretary of State James Brokenshire says he does not see a need for an independent chair. That is despite Sinn Féin’s call for one, and the Green Party’s shortlist of five potential mediators.

So, members of the Northern Slant team thought we would explore hypothetical potential options; individuals who could bring something different to the negotiating table. Here they are, in no particular rank of preference.

 

Father Martin Magill

Fr Martin Magill is formerly of Sacred Heart Parish in Ardoyne, one of the worst affected areas of our sectarian divide; he has become a well-known commentator in recent years due to his commitment to peace and reconciliation. Fr Magill is well respected by many politicians and is well-versed when it comes to our unique political situation. In a society that is so divided by religion, Fr Magill’s passion for ecumenism makes him more than a voice for his Catholic constituency; rather a voice that seeks to unite all sides. Fr Magill is a man of great integrity and sincere character, and his commitment to peace would add much to the current talks.

 

Hillary Clinton

If you’re looking for an international figure, someone who knows the Northern Ireland political landscape, why not ask Hillary Clinton to mediate? The former US Secretary of State and presidential nominee Hillary Clinton doesn’t need much of a briefing and could be seen as an honest broker. The Clintons are universally admired here, as former president Bill’s moving oration at Martin McGuinness’ showed.

 

Dr David Latimer

Dr David Latimer, minister at First Derry Presbyterian Church and Monreagh Presbyterian in Donegal, is a former British army chaplain and has preached in the First Presbyterian Church, adjacent to the Bogside, for over twenty-five years. He was the first Presbyterian minister to be invited to speak at a Sinn Fein ard fheis, and spoke movingly in the aftermath of Mr McGuinness’ death. He is known and liked by many in republican and nationalist circles; he served his country in Afghanistan, and deserves praise as a Protestant clergyman who has never shied away from telling both sides the hard truth.

 

Randomly-selected citizen

By their very nature, political negotiations take place behind closed doors. Politicians are keen to communicate to voters when they want them to support them, but they don’t want us to see what goes on inside a round of inter-party talks. Who blinks first? Who won’t give an inch? Who doesn’t want to be there? In the absence of transparency, parties will always be able to spin the success – or failure – of talks to their advantage. If we trust citizens to vote, then why not trust a randomly chosen citizen (or even citizens) to chair, or at least observe the murky process of negotiation? It might even remind the political leaders that it isn’t all about them.

 

Barbara Stephenson

Barbara is one of the Green Party’s proposed nominees; she served as American Consul General in Northern Ireland from 2001 – 2004, and as Deputy Senior Advisor to the Secretary and Deputy Coordinator for Iraq  from 2006-2008. In this role she won a Distinguished Honor Award for developing and implementing the “civilian surge” that helped improve governance and reduce violence in Iraq’s provinces. Dean of the Leadership and Management School of the Foreign Service Institute in Arlington, Virginia, she knows Northern Ireland and what is takes to lead.