Everything Ulster - Election 2005

Slugger O'Toole reports on an article in the Irish Times (subs required) on the Policing Board's decision to approve a 'less lethal' plastic bullet, although there was opposition from the SDLP.

Some background: Plastic bullets have caused controversy in Northern Ireland throughout the troubles, and nationalists especially are against their use. Plastic bullets are used by the PSNI, instead of live rounds as they are less likely to result in death. However there have been cases where the firing of plastic bullets have led to the targets dying later from severe injuries.

The recommendation to endorse the new form of plastic bullet, which is supposedly less lethal, came originally from Hugh Orde, the Cheif Constable of the PSNI. The policing board has accepted Hugh Orde's advice and agreed, in principle, to allow the police to use the new "attenuating energy projectile", despite SDLP opposition.

The interesting part of this story, from an election point of view, is the reaction from the various parties...

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Unionists are broadly in favour of the plastic bullets, arguing that the occasional and unfortunate death resulting from their usage is infinitely preferable to the numerous more deaths that would result from the use of live rounds. Against this argument is that this fact in itself may cause the decision to use plastic bullets may be made rather too quickly, although every instance of their usage is now subject to a report from the Police Ombudsman's office.

Sinn Fein's policing spokesman, Gerry Kelly, claims that the SDLP "made noise but were ultimately powerless to prevent this and will without doubt go along with the decision of the board. The SDLP have once again acquiesced to the continuing use of plastic bullets by the PSNI."

What he doesn't say is that Sinn Fein have by default acquiesced to the exct same decision because they neglected to take their positions on the board to argue their case, preferring to be 'outside the tent pissing in'. Sinn Fein can criticise the SDLP all they want, but at least the SDLP had the guts to stand their ground and fight the corner. It's comparatively very easy to stand in a Sinn Fein office and criticise the SDLP for not doing enough, when Sinn Fein have done nothing.

It's a similar story to the old Sinn Fein policy of abstentionism from Westminster. It's all well and good saying that they won't play unless they make the rules, it takes much more courage to join in the debate and argue your case.

The policing board is made up of 10 MLAs (made up of 3 DUP, 4 Ulster Unionists and 3 SDLP) and 9 independents. More details on the members is available at the Policing Board's Member's Page.