Published: Thursday, 14th January, 2010 9:00am

Is this a new era in politics?

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ne local politician was keen to point out this week that it was time to bury political differences and acknowledge the fact that a Fermanagh person has been elevated to the highest political office in this land. The comment was made about Arlene Foster's hastily made appointment to Interim First Minister this week and it was not made by a DUP colleague, but an SDLP councillor. This just serves to reflect the genuine personal support for Arlene Foster's new political role within our community. We have comments in our newspaper columns this week from other politicians at Council and Assembly level from across the political spectrum who also offer their congratulations on a personal level.

On a wider scale of public opinion across the province, the reaction is similar. Politicians from virtually every political shade have offered her their praise.

These messages of support seem to reflect the type of person Arlene Foster is. She comes from a rural background in the county, has experienced to her horror the ghastly consequences of the Troubles while growing up, has tasted the bitter-sweet roller coaster that is politics in different ways but most of all, she has a young family and knows the importance of family values and how meaningful politics can help shape people's lives.

Whether her appointment lasts six weeks or one week, it is one for the history books. But more importantly for Arlene Foster, it is a step onto the higher echelons of political life that drives her ambition. If it is shortlived, it's certainly something to have on her c.v.

While people offer their support on a personal level, they are partly doing so in the expectation that she is the person who can deliver Northern Ireland politics into a future of stability and governance, that she can reassure doubters that we can govern our own affairs, take those particularly difficult decisions that affect the lives of everyone here and show to others within the British Isles and abroad, that Northern Ireland plc is a place that people can do business with.

Getting to that land of paradise in this new era of politics will not be easy but then what life in politics is?

While Arlene Foster will probably not have time to marvel in the splendour of the Office of Interim First Minister, it is obvious that her sound Fermanagh roots will not be far away as she makes judgements on a plethora of issues whether it is during conversation with Prime Minister Gordon Brown or with a constituent nearer home.

If our new Interim First Minister succeeds to keep hopes alive for a better future for everyone in Northern Ireland over the next few weeks then people locally will be proud that a Fermanagh woman did it.