In the aftermath of the election and the humiliation of Nigel Dodds the best Arlene Foster could come up with was: “Of course, the SDLP decided not to run and that has shown the pan-nationalist front has come to fruition again.” When is the DUP ever going to grow up? There is a mind-set in unionism that sees everything as a nationalist threat. It conveniently forgets that all through the years of Stormont we lived under the “bulwark of Ulster unionism” and for the past 30 years we have watched the DUP cosy up to Loyalist thugs of one sort or another.
Then to further show how she sees the world Arlene added: “The demography just wasn’t there,” revealing that for the DUP an election is still a sectarian headcount.
Poor Arlene doesn’t believe in evolution and sees the world through creationist eyes where nothing ever changes – dogs were created dogs on the Third Day (or so) and have stayed the same ever since, despite all the scientific evidence.
Northern Ireland was set up 1921 with an inbuilt unionist majority and has not stayed the same. The evidence is there before her eyes. She is a creationist in a natural history museum refusing to believe the evidence in order to justify her reality. Like the plants and animals around us, Northern Ireland is evolving and will continue to evolve. What it shall become nobody is quite sure as yet.
But we do know one thing – the process towards unification is about to begin.
The Tories in the Shires have waved goodbye to Northern Ireland, and set us free to enter an all-Ireland economy. How many years of one-Ireland trading will we have before someone realises that we will need one currency?
How long before companies which are being directly affected by European trade rules begin to shout, like the revolutionaries at Boston – “No taxation without representation.”
Unionism refused to move. It could not and never will be able to see Catholics as equals.
That is the one great flaw in this state, you can’t keep down an educated minority which is growing in wealth and confidence. Unionism needs to begin a dialogue within its people and with its Catholic neighbours to sort out where this wee country is going. If it doesn’t it shall be left like the dinosaurs to evolve into nothing bigger than birds.
TURLOUGH QUINN
Portglenone, Co Antrim
Big thank you to everyone who continues to support Prostate Cancer UK
“Unbelievable Jeff”. That was the message from everyone who joined me during my brilliant March for Men event for Prostate Cancer UK in September. But in truth everyone who joined me this year, and in previous years, are the amazing ones.
News reaches me that the fundraising for my epic four-nation marathon march across Glasgow, Belfast, Cardiff and London has soared to a whopping £373,000, which is a terrific effort in the fight against prostate cancer.
I may have been the figurehead for the event, but this was the ultimate team effort, and everyone who played their part deserves special praise. They include the clubs across all four countries who went above and beyond, the support staff, and my celebrity pals. Then there are those who have donated, from large corporate contributions to kids running up to me with their pocket money. And then the walkers, those amazing men and women who joined me along the way, each reaching their own personal Everests.
It was such an emotional feeling to cross the line back in September when Tottenham Hotspur kindly opened their amazing new stadium for the finale. But I was happy too, and incredibly proud to walk side by side with so many inspirational people, men affected by what is the most common cancer in men, some with an uncertain future, some who have lost loved ones, some who remain beacons of hope. But all unified in the fight against prostate cancer and perfectly advocating our position – we are with men, and for men and their families both now and in the future.
To have raised £1m through my three March for Men events alongside 1,253 walkers has been incredible. But the awareness we have generated of the disease, particularly to men and families at risk, on the streets and when the boys and I proudly wear our Man of Men pin badge on TV every Saturday is so important too.
So, to everyone who have supported and continue to support Prostate Cancer UK, I say thank you. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and, who knows I might see you somewhere in 2020.
JEFF STELLING
Ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK
Wrong to condemn Church’s stance
Just read Fr Joe McVeigh’s short letter (December 12) where he states the Church is out of touch with the people by suggesting that Catholics vote for the DUP. But as you know Fr McVeigh the reason for making this suggestion is that as Catholics we are being asked to vote for nationalist parties that support the taking of the innocent lives of the unborn child in abortion, which as a priest I would take you to be strongly against. Every life is a gift from God. No-one has the right to take it away.
So, Fr McVeigh you are condemning the Church for standing up for the rights of the unborn child which you as a priest should be supporting. If you are not then it may not be the Church at fault but the failure of priests in it to show the flock the way and the truth.
JIM McALINDEN
Dungannon, Co Tyrone
Proxy voting
I set off from home on October 1, travelling overland (of course), not knowing when the election would be. By the time it was announced I was in Tbilisi so I asked for a proxy vote.
Oh dear, the web is not [yet] used for such applications, they have to be done by post. So I apply. Most persons abroad have a passport and not their national insurance number but, oh dear, the Electoral Office insist on the latter.
So I ask various government offices but, oh dear, freedom of information, I’m not allowed my own data. Eventually, all is done, and I post the letter but, oh dear, too late (by one day).
By this time I’m in Beijing so on December 8, I ask the British Embassy if I may vote there but, oh dear, and, as the polls prepare to close, I was still awaiting a definite response.
PETER EMERSON
The de Borda Institute, Belfast BT14
