There’s a history of secretaries of state being greeted by flag-waving protestors when they come to Northern Ireland. Noting how he’d recently been described, the secretary of state stressed that his style is “combative with a smile rather than with a grimace”. Secretary of State Chris Bryant and NIO Minister Sarah Owen. Chris Bryant could well turn out to be a breath fresh air after the disappointment of the rather staid Hilary Benn, who never quite fulfilled an expectation based on his father’s legacy. Hopefully Chris Bryant can deliver the required impetus sooner rather than later – preferably with a smile rather than a grimace.