2024 was a year that Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr would have recognised: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Yes, we had an awful...

28.12.2024 2

Alex Kane

The magic of my Mum and the perfect Christmas story

The picture accompanying today’s column is of my Mum and me in December 1961. I was six years old, and this was my first post-adoption Christmas: a...

21.12.2024 10

Alex Kane

Unionism has no alternative to devolution

In an article on July 6 1998, about a week after the election to the first assembly, I wondered what anti-agreement unionism would choose to do....

13.12.2024 5

Alex Kane

Sinn Féin’s election setback means a border poll is on the back burner again

About a year ago, Sinn Féin was riding very high in opinion polls in the south and there was even talk of either being strong enough to form a...

07.12.2024 4

Alex Kane

Has the hope of November 1999 been extinguished?

On this day, exactly 25 years ago, I was sitting in the public gallery of the Northern Ireland Assembly. It was coming up to 6pm and Gerry Adams,...

30.11.2024 10

Alex Kane

Michelle O’Neill was right to attend Remembrance Sunday – for when the past wins, we’re condemned to repeat it

What does it mean when a Northern Ireland First Minister declares him or herself a “First Minister for everyone”? Given that presidents, prime...

23.11.2024 10

Alex Kane

I wish there was no need for the LCC

Is anyone genuinely surprised that, according to the latest LucidTalk opinion poll, an overwhelming majority of unionists – around 80% – support...

14.11.2024 10

Alex Kane

Sinn Féin is badly damaged – but unionism shouldn’t relax

These are troubling times for Sinn Féin. On both sides of the border. But whether it’s long-term troubles we’re talking about, we won’t know until...

09.11.2024 4

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We need to get better at talking to each other

Alex Kane

Alex Kane: The lady who turned: How Thatcher abandoned unionism

Alex Kane

Unionism has no control over the calling of a border poll – so it needs to be ready

Alex Kane

If unionism gets it act together, there is still everything to play for in an Irish unity vote

Alex Kane

Is it really possible to rid Northern Ireland of paramilitarism?

Alex Kane

Will Nigel Farage get lucky and complete the revolution?

Alex Kane

It’s Groundhog Day meets Carry On, Psycho at Stormont

Alex Kane

Irish unity would not solve our fundamental problem

Alex Kane

Alex Kane: We’re in the thick of it with this lot and it just isn’t funny

Alex Kane

Are we watching the collapse of the Alliance ‘surge’?

Alex Kane

I don’t fear death. I know it’s coming. But I don’t need to hear about it every five minutes on afternoon TV

Alex Kane

We need a strong opposition to provide a credible alternative to the DUP and Sinn Féin’s TweedleDither and TweedleDoDamnAll

Alex Kane

Alex Kane: Does the Orange Order need to change? Yes. But would it really make a difference?

Alex Kane

Whisper it, but the truth is we just don’t like the ‘other’ culture

Alex Kane

I’m not asking for the earth, George Mitchell, just a Stormont that works

Alex Kane

Alex Kane: Israel is no more secure today than it was after October 7

Alex Kane

Did nationalism blunder on a border poll in 1998?

Alex Kane

It takes four to tango at Stormont – and it’s not a pretty sight

Alex Kane

The past will always be catching up with us

Alex Kane

Is nationalism any better at selling a ‘new’ Ireland to unionists than they are at selling the union?

Alex Kane

Are there any reasons to still be optimistic about Stormont? Nope

Alex Kane

Unionism should just bank progress on the sea border and prepare for the bigger challenge of a border poll

Alex Kane

Come on Stormont, surprise us: do your bloody job

Alex Kane

My opinion on Kneecap? I’ve seen it all before...

Alex Kane

Irish unity without reconciliation is doomed

Alex Kane

Is it possible that a majority of people don’t actually want to power-share?

Alex Kane

Micheál Martin has canniest approach of all on Irish unity – which as a unionist worries me

Alex Kane

Nobody is surprised by latest Stormont spat – but DUP does have a problem

Alex Kane

I don’t expect perfection... I just want Stormont to do better

Alex Kane

Michael Parkinson, Terry Wogan and the lost art of the big political interview

Alex Kane

There can be no neutrals when an Irish border poll is called

Alex Kane

A dozen monkeys banging on a laptop could have come up with a better plan than the executive

Alex Kane

Yes, unionism needs to change – but the reality is we all have to learn to live with each other

Alex Kane

We need to stop pandering to paramilitaries

Alex Kane

Trump views everything like property – but will his own stock rise or fall?

Alex Kane

It’s going to be softly, softly, catchy monkey for Irish unity

Alex Kane

The truth is the vast majority of Irish people don’t see unity as a priority

Alex Kane

Do public inquiries really help us towards true reconciliation?

Alex Kane

Fixing Northern Ireland, not the assembly, must be the priority for MLAs