I get the calls for PM to intervene in NI after awful scenes in Belfast but not what people imagine he’s going to do about it. He has no history there, no previous hint of interest/understanding (or he won’t have done the Brexit deal he did). We are used...

...to PMs stepping in to save the peace process, I spent years writing those stories right back to the GFA, but you need the applicable skills: patience, mastery of detail, ability to inspire trust, precision & care. To put it mildly; not his forte.

To be clear absolutely not saying ‘so no 10 should wash its hands’ & remains true that only No 10 has the clout right now for this; PM’s authority is required. The horrible paradox is current inhabitant so ill equipped to exercise it in this situation

Anyway polite reminder that competence, professionalism & good management are sooooo boring in politics right up until they’re actually indispensable