Opinion

Unionism continues to provide no compelling vision for future

Why do unionists continue to engage in a form of political masochism rarely seen in politics?

They will rue the passing of Martin McGuinness. No matter your politics and not condoning his past, Martin McGuinness has shown leadership, statesmanship and statecraft, something that unionists have failed to show in recent years.

Unionism continues to provide no vision or narrative for the future of the province let alone to their communities, other than something straight out of their 1980s play book, bogey man Adams.

The unionist parties continue to fail their working-class electorate, something recognised by working-class hero David Ervine. Working-class unionists have been used as a foil against the so-called enemy within, political cannon fodder and have been marched up and down the proverbial hill on numerous occasions. This crass nativism needs to stop on both sides.

Taking responsibility and being contrite for errors of judgment is not a sign of weakness but a sign of political maturity and integrity, attributes that we are sadly missing in our politics. The election was clearly a disaster for unionists, though listening to Nigel and Arlene it is like they are in a parallel political universe trying to dress up political failure as a victory.

So, what has the DUP achieved in this election other than being part of the previous ineffective coalition?


Well, an embolden Sinn Féin with Gerry back in the limelight and driving seat, Michelle in political kindergarten, plunged the electorate into a political no man’s land right in the middle of Brexit; failed to get their vote out; delivered soft unionists into the arms of the Alliance party and continue to provide no compelling vision for the future.

What is more surprising, the solution to this political debacle by the DUP is a shotgun wedding with a UUP. This shows no political insight or foresight and clearly indicates a political herd mentality steeped in the 1950s.

Sinn Féin, on the back of their electoral success will continue to push their well-trodden agenda, border poll etc, to a point where the word respect and integrity simply become meaningless straplines.

I am not a unionist but a pragmatist who, based on the current economic rationale and the tribalism that still runs deep, would not support a 32-county republic. I am also not in the never,  never,  never, never camp, either.


A credible case for constitutional change has yet to be made and this comes from a person who is a centre left liberal and sees neither nationalism or unionism as credible political ideologies.

One of the great tragedies of the past 40 years is that working-class Seamus and working-class Billy were conned to believe that they have nothing in common. 

You don’t have to be a political scientist to see that the greatest threat to the union are unionists.

SUNEIL SHARMA


Belfast BT6

Unionists have an inability to learn anything from history

The recent election result was a rude awaking for unionists. However, judging by the history of the last 100 years it is doubtful if they will have learned anything.

Unionists are totally incapable of acknowledging the role they and their forefathers played in the instigation of the Troubles. Had unionism not defied the democratic wishes of the people of Ireland at the point of a UVF gun, there would have been no 1916 uprising and peace for the last 100 years. 

There was also an opportunity in the 1960s to end conflict on the island, led by Terence O’Neill’s moderating reforms. O’Neill predicted a nationalist majority when he realised 51 per cent of primary school children were Catholic. He also stated: “If you give Roman Catholics a good job and a good house, they will live like Protestants.” (Belfast Telegraph, May 10 1969) O’Neill was soon ousted by the ‘not an inch’ brigade, who preferred the discriminating ways that had served unionism so well since the foundation of the state. Figures from the 1961 census show that one in six (16.7 per cent) Catholics, who were under thirty in 1951, had left by 1961.

Ian Paisley was architectural in the demise of O’Neill and a similarly destructive exercise was repeated in 1974 and 1998 with the Sunningdale and Good Friday Agreement. The net result being the ‘not an inchers’ who could not deal with Gerry Fitt, John Hume and Seamus Mallon had ultimately to deal with Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and now Michelle O’Neill.  

Unionists still pander to the politics of the Orange Lodge and celebrate every time Catholics are offended. Remember Paisley and Trimble’s great victory at Drumcree. Prior to the recent election the DUP removed funding to an Irish language programme and allocated untold thousands to marching bands, Orange halls and community associations, not to mention the RHI scandal. Mike Nesbitt has since gone the way of Terence O’Neill for daring to suggest the transferring of votes to the SDLP.

Meanwhile, unionists are missing the point completely. While they were busy defending every inch their MLAs have been outnumbered in every constituency from Carlingford Lough to the Foyle, plus North and West Belfast by a ratio of 31:9. As we progress inexorably towards a nationalist majority, the day is fast approaching when unionists will need the votes of traditional nationalist to maintain the union. It might end in crocodile tears the day a DUP representative knocks on my door to seek such a vote.

P McKENNA


Newry, Co Down

Seeing the light

LAST Sunday was the  beginning of daylight  saving time. May I  suggest this should have  happened in early February.

Daylight saving aims to make maximum use of available daylight hours. This is a good thing. 


We change the clocks for  winter daylight saving at  the end of October. This  is approximately 54 days  before the day of least  light.  Fifty four days after this date is early February. Why  then do we wait until the end of March to change the clocks back, a full 95 days after the  day of least light?


This is the equivalent of changing the clock for ‘winter time’ in mid-September.


If we did change the clock in early February we would improve the mood of the nation as we would have the  bright evenings earlier.


Also it would lower heating  and lighting costs.


If this is an international issue then I suggest that world culture at large needs to change to see the light  and thereby stop wasting our  time.

JAMES FOLEY


Clondalkin, Dublin 22

Nationalist/unionist terms still relevant

In response to Steve Graham from Oxford in England (who questioned the relevance of the terms ‘nationalist’ and ‘unionist’ in this century (March 14) I’d like to state that these terms are indeed relevant in the 21st century. I am proud to call myself an Irish nationalist and republican, and respect those who identify as unionist. Many people in this part of the island are extremely proud to identify either way and should not be dismissed as simply ‘orange or green’ for believing in either the UK or a united Ireland. Just because we do does not mean we are outdated. I am a nationalist not only because of identify, but because I genuinely believe that Irish unity is in the best interests of all those in the north, economically, socially, culturally and politically. I can be a nationalist yet still stand for social, progressive issues. And I do. That is why the terms are still relevant. 

DAN O MUIRIGH


Belfast BT11

Sanctuary for unborn

Shame tactics by pro-choice campaigners will not work as they attempt to control the narrative on the issue of abortion, by describing Ireland as a behind the times medieval backwater.

The reality is that Ireland is a beacon of light and a sanctuary for the unborn, giving the baby full protection and rights.

M CAIRNS


Belfast BT15