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Northern Ireland Bill

The hon. Gentleman has acknowledged that, as the right hon. Member for North Antrim (Rev. Ian Paisley) made clear earlier today, there has been a substantial change. We are light years away from where we were at the time of the troubles, and I see that he nods in agreement. There will have to be an assessment, which he and his party are entitled to make, as to whether adopting the current stance will end that by encouraging all republicans to commit themselves to democratic and peaceful politics—that involves dialogue, building trust and, ultimately, sharing power—or whether Unionists will continue to say that they are not willing to co-operate. That is the choice facing all Northern Ireland’s politicians.