Want to find out more about the Northern Slant team? Every week we put 10 questions to our community of contributors – about them, their interests and hopes for Northern Ireland’s future. Today we speak to Gareth Brown. You can follow him on Twitter @garfbrown.

 

1. Tell us about yourself, and why you got involved with Northern Slant.

I’m a 27-year-old political relations and communications professional living and working in Edinburgh. In no particular order, I love red wine, racket sports, Sherlock Holmes, classical music, Tuscany, The Rock and books.

I got involved with Northern Slant because I fundamentally agreed with the view that there was a respectful, youthful, challenging but constructive voice missing in public discourse in Northern Ireland. For me, Northern Slant has filled that gap. I’m also passionate in the view that it is incumbent upon those of us who want to see things change for the better to articulate that.

 

2. Describe Northern Ireland in 5 words.

Unique, potential, endearing, abandoned, compassionate.

 

3. What makes you proud to be from here?

I think the Northern Irish disposition, despite deep religious and political division, is one of kindness and compassion for others.

 

4. Are you hopeful for the future?

A close friend of mine, and former MLA and Minister, used to always say to me that it was imperative to be “relentlessly positive”, because if you’re not then who will strive for progress? I am, because I believe we have to be. I have absolutely no doubt that Northern Ireland can be the place we all want it to be if the collective will is there.

 

5. If you could change one thing about Northern Ireland, what would it be? 

I’d change the tone and character of current political discourse from suspicion and scepticism to compassion and compromise. If nationalist and unionist leaders actually wanted (rather than being legally obliged) to compromise, and spoke to one another in a manner which would allow that to happen, I think we would be in a different place.

 

6. Favourite NI celebrity? 

Kenneth Branagh.

 

7. Politician you most admire, from outside Northern Ireland? 

Emmanuel Macron. Whilst unproven in the long-term perhaps, as a self-confessed politico it is difficult not to have huge admiration for what he has achieved so far.

 

8. Favourite place to bring a visitor?

The Duke of York. It’s like Belfast under one roof.

 

9. Potato bread or soda bread?

Soda bread.

 

10. Snow Patrol or Van Morrison?

Van the man.

 

Also published on Medium.