THE large rally in Portadown on Saturday to support the town’s district lodge was an impressive display of street politics and a striking contrast to three weeks previously, when almost nobody turned up for a ‘Let Them Home Festival’ with the same aim.

What has changed in that time?

First and foremost, the lodge and its supporters organised to avoid a repeat of their earlier embarrassment. That included defying pleas to postpone due to Saturday’s terrible weather.

The importance of pride in Orange politics should not be underestimated. It is a pity Protestants do not consider it a deadly sin.

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Three weeks ago, Drumcree was a live stand-off that had caught most of the population by surprise. There was no appetite for the chaos ‘letting them home’ would have entailed.

Unionists have since reflected on how the dispute was handled and many are unimpressed.

The crowd in Portadown, perhaps 5,000 people, will have been only the tip of this iceberg. It is possible to be appalled both by how unionism has reopened Drumcree and how nationalism has responded.

Accusations of law-breaking by nationalist politicians should be made with care: nobody has been convicted, nor is it certain they will be.

Nevertheless, nationalism has undermined parades regulation by not appearing to........

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