Opinion

Political unionism has no desire to enter genuine partnership

It is there now for all of us to see. That political unionism in the form of the DUP and, I suggest, the UUP as well, have no desire to enter into genuine partnership with those of us who come from the nationalist tradition in the north. The ‘hold our noses’ element, which despises us, while being forced to deal with us, is clearly in control within the DUP and it is that which has brought us to the present impasse. They have managed until now to delay the process towards equality and mutual accommodation which the Good Friday Agreement so solemnly promised. But the collapse of the power sharing assembly is ample proof that the naysayers cannot stop the march towards full and unequivocal respect, not just for our Irish culture, but also for our political values as Irish nationalists within the northern state. In effect, time has been called on their disrespect towards us, and on the corruption that invariably goes hand-in-hand with the abuse of power. Unlike those from the nationalist and republican community who suffered in previous generations, we have it within our power to ensure that we will not any time in the future have to endure unionist domination. The now incontestable fact is that the DUP or for that matter the UUP, can exercise power in the north only in collaboration with the representatives of Irish nationalism, and, crucially, under the framework of the Good Friday Agreement.

Those figures from within the SDLP hierarchy who are asking the nationalist people to vote for the UUP on March 2 are in effect giving succour to those reactionary unionist elements who wish to destroy the mandatory power sharing arrangements of the Good Friday Agreement. As we continue to digest the revelations of the past two months, those figures should hang their heads in shame and their party leader, if he is to retain any credibility, should disown them. We have seen not only the DUP role in the RHI scandal and their shamefully petty acts of discrimination against the Irish language. We have also listened to the comment from the leader of the UUP, as he sought to gain political advantage over the DUP, that he ‘could smell an Irish Language Act coming’. There may be a battle going on within political unionism, but there is, in reality, no difference for nationalists and republicans between the messages of the two unionist parties. They are both implacably imposed to the concept of true equality for those of us from the nationalist community whose only demand is a permanent end to injustice and the creation of a society based on fairness.


It is time for the nationalist community, in a spirit of peace and reconciliation towards those from the unionist tradition, but with dignified and unquenchable resolve, to demand respect and equality. We ask no more than that. The Good Friday Agreement provided the template for a peaceful future. We must ensure that we do not allow the vision and the hope of that Agreement to be destroyed or dimmed. We can do that by coming out and carefully casting our votes on March 2.

PATRICK FAHY


Omagh, Co Tyrone

We have tried hatred so let’s now try friendship

When you hear Sinn Féin’s current complaints about the DUP it’s tempting to say “dry your eyes and get on with it”. That’s the advice a friend gave me when I complained that the two parties had stitched up democracy at the St Andrews Agreement.

They changed the way that the first and deputy first ministers are appointed, so that they can constantly play the sectarian card to their electoral advantage.

Sinn Féin were also in large part responsible for the DUP’s rise to prominence. Like many others, I told them that they would have to move on decommissioning weapons, or else David Trimble’s position would be in jeopardy. They deliberately took the decision to undermine him and a more constructive form of unionism.

The ‘middle ground’ won the broader political argument about Northern Ireland’s future, but lost power. If those moderate people did not care so much about this place there would almost be satisfaction in saying “we told you so” about the current shambles at Stormont.

The vitriol from Sinn Féin and the confrontational attitude of the DUP contain some clues about why Northern Ireland endured almost 40 years of conflict. We should never have allowed those who hate the most to determine how the relationships between the rest of us would work. The DUP and Sinn Féin have now shown that they are inept as well as hate-filled. It will be disastrous if they are entrenched in government perpetually.

As a society, we should ask how the bitterness and enmity that they represent arose. We could not have got our relationships more wrong than we did over the past 100 years.


A positive and constructive future is achievable and many things show it is possible including the potential of some of the younger politicians in all the parties to practice their politics in a way more beneficial to our society.  Friendship is a powerful force, but hatred is equally powerful in a negative sense.  We tried hatred before, so we should now try friendship, for our own sakes and for the sake of our children.  

TREVOR RINGLAND


Holywood, Co Down

Call for more independents

Now that the election date has been set it is time for republicans and nationalists to reflect on the abject failure of Stormont over the past 15 years despite Sinn Féin’s participation in the executive as the main nationalist party.

Scandals such as RHI, Red Sky, Social Investment Fund/Charter and Nama have shown the total disregard that the DUP have for the electorate.  The lack of accountability and transparency has been frightening. All of this has taken place under Sinn Féin’s watchful eye.

We were promised an Irish Language Act in the St Andrews Agreement and are still waiting. Sinn Féin promised equality legislation and measures to tackle poverty. Yet republican and nationalist communities are economically and socially more disadvantaged now than they were before Sinn Féin and its ministers took up power at Stormont.

Sadly an independent like Jim Allister has done more to expose the corruption and scandals at Stormont than anyone. I wish the republican electorate had independents like this to vote for who are not restricted by party controls.  


Dr Anne McCloskey stood in Foyle last time and I hope she is successful this time. We need more independents like Dr Anne McCloskey to stand for election in March and challenge the status quo.

S FOX


Glengormley, Co Antrim

Outraged by Trump’s plans

People across the world are rightly outraged by Trump’s blatantly racist and Islamophobic travel ban. I was inspired by the thousands who protested at airports across the US demanding refuge for those fleeing war and oppression and opposing racist immigration policies. These demonstrations helped win a temporary block on some of Trump’s plans.

This threat to refugees and Muslim travellers remains on the table, however. Our local politicians should not legitimise this attack on human rights by shaking Trump’s hand at the White House on St Patrick’s Day. Both the DUP and Sinn Féin have had connections with Trump in the past but a ‘business as usual’ approach is not good enough. Some of the main parties make much of their commitment to equality – if that means anything, they should boycott meetings with this right-wing megalomaniac.

Stormont politicians’ regular junkets to the US have delivered next to nothing for ordinary people here – a few more low-paid call centre jobs while they are making thousands redundant in the public sector. On behalf of the people of Northern Ireland, they must forego the prestige of the annual trip to Washington and send a clear message that this kind of racist discrimination will not be tolerated, at home or abroad.

COURTNEY ROBINSON


Labour Alternative 


Belfast BT4

Dismissal of Irish

Arlene Foster’s latest dismissal of Irish reflects a very unBritish mentality which is ingrained in the DUP and much of unionism.

While modern Britain can accept and celebrate the indigenous languages and cultures of Wales and Scotland, the attitude she displays is mired in a colonial 17th century mindset.

She confirms that Northern Ireland is not British, but UKish, as part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. We are ‘a place apart’

EUGENE McKENDRY


Ballymena, Co Antrim