Seamus Mallon has managed to cause some interest and comment, with the publication of his memoirs.
It seems his observations about a possible endgame for Irish unity and his suggestion of parallel consent has really got people talking and presumably thinking as well.
I find the outrage and “shock horror” responses, if predictable, odd, if not slightly hilarious. Sure Mallon’s ideas are a work in progress, but Seamus was quite right in pointing out that the unity question will need more than just a simple sectarian headcount. Perhaps even a bit of planning, discussion and preparation.
In February 2018 Arlene Foster, with the deal that never was, gave us an object lesson in how a lack of groundwork can cause things to fall apart.
As to vetoes, how dare Seamus suggest a unionist one? But if you stop to think about it there are vetoes everywhere in Nrn Irn.
The most obvious unionist veto of course, is the one gifted freely by Sinn Féin with their principled abstention that after nearly 100 years, still is the gift that keeps
on giving.
Back in 2018 Mary Lou made much the same point as Seamus about the practicalities of unity, and “maximising consent” until through some form of republican Bluetooth thinking, a meeting of minds occurred. The result was Mary Lou then “vetoed herself”. Still with Sinn Féin and their vetoes, during the RHI enquiry we discovered our finance minister seemed to have outsourced his policy decisions for someone else’s approval, ie veto.
Currently in Stormont our politicians are apparently talking, no doubt very intensively about a deal, one where both Sinn Féin and the DUP still seem happy for the other side to have a veto, (otherwise called a petition of concern).
Finally, in the event of a future border poll, the biggest veto of all might rest with the voters in the Irish Republic. What if they were to say no? Back in 2017, Leo Varadkar was no doubt thinking of practicalities when he tried to rewrite the Good Friday Agreement and suggested 50 per cent plus one in itself was not enough.
If Sinn Féin thought harping on about Irish unity was a vote winner in the Republic, the results in both the Council and European elections last month, would suggest otherwise. One wonders as their hopes of coalition and ministerial cars have ebbed away, yet again, if Sinn Féin have noticed that in 2022 they will celebrate 100 years of having their electoral appeal politely declined by voters in the Republic. Maybe it is time to rethink some of those principles?
In sum, one could argue, that far from being out of touch or wrong, Seamus Mallon has just held up a mirror, and it’s not his reflection causing the problem. We have plenty of vetoes here already and not all of them are unionist.
FRANK HENNESSEY
Belfast BT9
Public display of indignation highly objectionable
The European elections produced a number of unexpected results with the chief protagonist of Brexit, avenger of those who opted to leave and arch enemy of the British establishment, Nigel Farage the biggest winner who along with his newly formed party swept all before it. The Tories – whose dithering leader most assuredly must be held responsible for the spectacular collapse – and Labour were trounced emphatically with a fair number of MEPs dolefully consigned to the realms of the idle and unemployed. Similarly the surge for the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party was overwhelmingly celebrated.
Back at base, here in the north, in the heartland of Magherafelt a similar picture unfolded with the onus on who was to take the third contested seat, a traditional Ulster Unionist Party seat. Ultimately the Alliance Party and Naomi Long were triumphant and a new and moderate voice is on its way to the rostrum of the European parliament, albeit on a temporary basis.
Ms Long’s succession was cheerfully accepted and she was greeted with many plaudits. This joviality, however, was deprived of strength and vigour as dark clouds emerged to trash the day.
Jim Allister’s public display was odious and highly objectionable.
The victorious candidate his ire was directed at was elected with the full rigours of the democratic process and her determination that she would represent all in the corridors of Europe was heartfelt and genuine, an altruistic act of offering the hand of friendship. The rejection of this gesture only confirms Mr Allister seeks to remain non-progressive and obstinate, choosing insult and degradation to his opponents and their collective electorate.
KEVIN McCANN
Belfast BT1
Glory of God is evident in creation
Danny Treacy (June 4) complains about Alabama retaining the death penalty, and notes black people being over-represented: “...black people are 28% of the population...of the last 64 people to be executed 43% were black...”. Sensible people reject the death penalty because human justice systems get verdicts wrong and human life is sacred. How Mr Treacy can complain about the death penalty for serious crime, yet complain about pro-life policy in Alabama, perplexes and amuses me greatly. It is a travesty and tragedy for those convicted of serious crime to be executed; but words do not exist to capture the sheer horror of killing innocent unborn children. Mr Treacy seems to have a range of other grievances against religion. He wonders if the Rev Philip Campbell might wish to lock swings on Sundays. The real shackles and chains on display all around us are “the mind forged manacles” of the new atheism – a world view that strips humans of their dignity and sees them merely as biological machines – a world view that bankers, capitalists and corporations can comfortably live with. The world is filled with beauty and declares the goodness of God. The run on the NIR railway system from Marino station to Holywood on a sunny June day might convince any sceptic that the glory of God is evident in creation. A walk with an ice cream on the Holywood Esplanade might further confirm this.
THOMAS HARDY
Belfast BT5
Nothing wrong with being gay
I wish to draw your attention to something Patrick Murphy said in his article (May 25). He states: ‘All the Christian churches regard both homosexuality and abortion as wrong’.
This is an inaccurate description of the specifically Catholic Church’s teaching. It teaches that gay people are valued children of God and should be respected and treated with grace, as should everyone. In short, there is nothing wrong with being gay. The Church would say no to the sexual act between members of the same sex but upholds the dignity of all gay men and women. This is not the same thing as stating that (the Catholic Church) ‘regards homosexuality as wrong’.
L DONAGHY
Belfast
Fly flag for gay pride
N ow that the DUP has its first openly gay councillor on Antrim and Newtownabbey Council can I take it for granted that the DUP will be taking part in this year’s Belfast Pride along with the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster and now openly support all LGBT issues. It would be nice if the DUP would propose that the Rainbow flag fly from Belfast city hall and from Parliament Buildings at Stormont on the day of Belfast and Derry Pride?
JAMES ANNETT
Popular Unionist, London
