Let this be the last time the people of Northern Ireland have to vote in a British general election.

As the hapless campaign has unfolded, it has become increasingly clear that what is happening in Great Britain has little or no relevance for people here.

In fact, all Sunak’s July poll has done is to give the bigots an added incentive to roll out the sectarian threats and build their pyres higher.

“All Taigs will be crucified,” ran Friday’s headline reporting abuse aimed at SDLP election workers. Well, at least it’s an advance on “crucifixion’s too good for them”.

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Farage switch from TUV to DUP pitches unionism’s most pro-Brexit elements into open conflict - The Irish News view

Sectarianism at election time comes in all shapes and sizes, from the naked and very public abuse being witnessed daily by people on the campaign trail, to much more subtle decisions taken on the ground by so-called grown-up politicians who are prepared to sacrifice their party’s overall share of the vote by stepping aside to ensure ‘them’uns’ don’t get in.

‘Pacts? What pacts?’ The electorate can see through the demure........

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