Business Post's View

Editorial: Census shows North’s politics must catch up with its diverse people

That Catholics now outnumber Protestants in the North is far less interesting than the astonishing range and fluidity of identities the census has revealed

Stormont: the results of the new Northern Ireland census paint a picture of a surprisingly diverse society. Picture: Getty

Nothing lasts forever, especially a gerrymandered majority. For the first time since it was created a century ago, Northern Ireland is home to slightly more Catholics than Protestants. This was not supposed to happen, at least so soon. As Professor Joe Lee wrote in his history of Ireland from 1912 to 1985, partition – the ultimate act of gerrymandering – was meant to ensure “Protestant supremacy over Catholics even in predominantly Catholic areas”.

That was ...