David McNarry (December 19) ponders the election results and asks where did it all go wrong for unionism?
During a soul-searching, mournful dirge where he points the finger widely, it quickly dawns on him and he finally has his epiphany – describing the ‘lack of unity in the unionist family’ he opines unionism is ‘split’ and dogged by woeful individuals.
Without specifics or name calling he asserts it is ‘now up to the DUP’, whose performance during the lean years at Stormont – three long years and counting – when they abandoned their posts and placed all their faith in the Tories at Westminster ‘to bring unity where there is discord’. And not wanting to appear to be dumping all over the DUP he redirects his ire at the Alliance Party and all those who voted for them – “That any unionist could vote Alliance is concerning and worth investigating.” And “while the Alliance Party remains undesignated, they pose a greater threat to the union.”
This is most definitely a pretty obtuse stance to be adopting for not only is it insulting it also denigrates the unionist electorate – by his estimates 30,000 voters. And although his enlightenment may be short lived ‘the unionist family’ have also realised their own epiphanies and decided ‘enough is enough’.
They have also come to appreciate that to inculcate virtue one has to show a modicum of humbleness. Sadly, however, there is a recognition this is an impossible ask.
They have witnessed the party representing them becoming involved in all sorts of scandalous activity. They have observed a party whose bullying tactics cause crisis after crisis whose backing of the Brexit project has produced an even bigger threat to the union – all this perpetrated in the name of unionism. Mr McNarry asks: “Can Alliance be depended on to maintain the union?” In the present circumstances the DUP have achieved instability and uncertainty regarding the union, their influence is negligible and moot and they are disingenuous with their electorate. Perhaps he is asking the wrong people.
KEVIN McCANN
Belfast BT1
Utterly shocked that priests will accept ‘British Empire’ baubles
One of the earliest images I retain is that of looking at a picture in the living-room of my grandparents home in Clady, Portglenone. It is that of a priest celebrating Mass at a Mass Rock while local members of the community stand watch as British soldiers approach the area. I suspect those red-coat soldiers searching for priests would no doubt have regarded themselves as upholders of the British Empire.
I was utterly shocked when I heard that several priests were going to accept personal awards that included the title “British Empire”. To me the word ‘empire’ does not inspire positive thoughts. The British Empire has certainly contributed nothing positive to my ancestors or to the predecessors of Ireland’s present-day priests.
When I reflect again on that painting of the period of the Penal Laws, there is a clear image of solidarity of the people with their priest – and of the priest with his people. By accepting such baubles with the title ‘British Empire’ the priests are severing a link with many of their congregation. The relationship can never be the same again.
I have no problems with members of the unionist community accepting such awards – it is part of their culture. I would positively extend congratulations to them. When a member of the nationalist/Catholic community accepts such awards in this part of the world they are immediately making a political statement whether they like it or not. A priest has a special place in the Catholic community. To me, these priests are publicly separating themselves from the heart, the culture, the very being of our community.
When I think of them they will never fit that image on the wall of the home where my mother was reared. I feel betrayed.
DR JOHN TOHILL
Magherafelt, Co Derry
Troublesome northerners
Apparently Bertie Ahern and his like-minded buddies in the 26-county political establishment would like to further delay 32-county Irish reunification for another 20 years. Excuse – 10 years is not enough time to organise. This is ironic considering they have had the best part of a century to think about it and done sweet nothing.
Edward Carson publicly recognised partition couldn’t be a final solution. Approximately 40 years ago Charles J Haughey said it was a failed entity.
In a recent survey 60 per cent of the British people declared they would be happy to see the Brit colony in Ireland slide off a cliff.
British prime minister Boris Johnson has just drawn a border in the Irish Sea with all the potential frills and at the same time gave unionism a toe in the behind.
With the empire gone and all forms of unionism struggling with the onset of rigor mortis, doomsday is losing in.
So it might be an idea for Bertie and all his procrastinating mates to swallow a little poteen and face the inevitable, because when the avalanche of those deprived of their nationhood arrives timing might not be of your choosing “Troublesome northerners will have to be accommodated”. That’s over a quarter of the population.
LAURENCE O’NEILL
Martinstown, Co Antrim
Not all about the money
If the nursing profession had really been genuine about patients’ safety concerns rather than a wage increase, the striking and union action would have been in defence of the ‘whistleblowers’ who have exposed all the wrong doing within the Health Service and who are the real protectors of patients safety and rights. The heroes and heroines of the Health Service, the ‘whistleblowers’ – the people you need in the Health Service – are forced out because they tell the truth.
If the nursing profession had stood up for the rights of the whistleblowers – who sacrificed their careers in defence of their patients – it would have added character and principle to their pay parity protests rather than it being just all about money.
LIAM ARCHIBALD
Draperstown, Co Derry
Good luck to irreplaceable 5
AS we go into a new year it will be a different one for me. I’m going to miss Seamus McKee, Noel Thompson Karen Patterson and Wendy Austin, not forgetting Sean Coyle who is still very much in our thoughts.
I wish each of them the best of health and happiness in the years ahead. The radio won’t be the same because all five are irreplaceable.
Good luck
MARY McDONALD
Belfast BT8
