Jamie Bryson - emblematic of 'a little knowledge is dangerous'
The last two weeks have shown how, in the hands of the ill informed or foolish, even a little knowledge can be dangerous. I am, of course, referring to his law degree.
Now, firstly, fair play on getting his law degree, any education can be a good thing. Jamie could have used that to be a resource for those in his community to navigate life's problems.
Unfortunately, Jamie took another route. He chose to use the law as a weapon. In the hands of a skilled practitioner, the law can be a devastating weapon. But sadly, for Jamie, he is not a skilled practitioner. He is a caveman with a machine gun, trying to use it like a club. The damage he has done to Unionism and Loyalism is staggering to me.
Firstly, he has shown the limits of Unionism's soft power. And it is virtually none. Unionists were unable to exert their will, even with court orders. In my childhood in the 80s this would have been unthinkable. The Government, the PSNI, and the SOS did nothing to help them. Now, I am sure that many, both on this sub and beyond knew that Unionism was a dead duck. But now, for the world to see, it has been proven. Unionism cannot go back from this. It's powerlessness is now laid bare. This is a devasting blow, that will take years to play out.
A second order impact is the division now between the Unionist community and the PSNI. Again, unthinkable 40-50 years ago. But here we are, the PSNI saying no to the OO, and taking into account the ENTIRE North to ensure peace for everyone. To ensure police are there to solve REAL crimes, not the wills of stubborn old men.
Jamie has created a scenario that has shattered the foundations of Unionism. That the State would be there for then. That the police were there to enforce their will. Both ideas now publicly destroyed.
On a smaller level, Jamie may well have have broken the DUP. His actions have forced the DUP into a corner they cannot get out of. They have said that they cannot work with MON, but they're not going to pull plug on the Executive. He has given them no good options and now seems to have started an internal coup, with Lockhart being pushed to lead. The idea that Carla Lockhart could lead the DUP is laughable. I may well come from the Nationalist community, but I saw the power of Paisley, the quiet operation of Peter Robinson. Carla is not even a pale shadow to them.
If Carla takes the reign, she will crash the assembly, with scant regard to the consequences. A child given a hammer in a house of glass, unable to comprehend the wolves waiting outside the glass.
Jamie has, through a combination of a little knowledge and a dearth of self awareness, shattered the pillars underpinning unionism. When the dust settles, all fingers will point to him