I listened to an interview with the Republic’s taoiseach Micheál Martin in which he made it clear that the last thing we needed was a border poll. As a broad-brush comment, I would be inclined to agree. However, there are those letter and twitter warriors who believe that the British government have only a single Machiavellian objective – to thwart Irish unity. They ignore the fact that it was majority British administrations that delivered the Anglo-Irish Agreement and the Good Friday Agreement. On this basis I believe that no British government current or future will stand in the way of Irish unity.
Seriously, do people really believe that Britain has some sort of strategic interest in Northern Ireland – a province that costs the English taxpayer £12bn a year? Even if Irish unity did happen today, Paul Gosling advocated that the Brits would still have to pay for the fiscal shortfall until 2050. This could be anything between £100-£200bn.
If Irish unity could be negotiated, and I mean negotiated where issues around identity, culture, and integration of public services particularly education and health etc could be resolved, I believe the British people would not just encourage it but would also pay for it. However, any notion that an imposed majoritarian endeavour will deliver a new peaceful political utopia is at best political folly and at worst a disaster in waiting.
Irish unity needs to be about unity of vision, the creation of a sense of a common citizenship, the social and economic welfare of all those on this island, new political structures that give all citizens not just a voice but a stake in a new Ireland.
What we do not need is ‘a poll without a plan’.
Those who will continue to advocate for a border poll have simply failed to do the hard work and present a blueprint for the delivery of Irish unification. Unionists should not fear about engaging in a debate about shaping a new Ireland.
What this debate shows is the myopic nature of some commentators and politicians. All this when we are in the middle of a pandemic from which a new world will evolve. A world were AI and technology will displace labour and unemployment could reach double figures.
Politics and democracy are about a complex and nuanced discussion around public policy and a political vision. Here we have embraced a hostile political duopoly who expel huge amounts of energy in fighting each other. D’Hondt delivered peace and the status quo but do not expect it to deliver much more.
SUNEIL SHARMA
Belfast BT6
What John Hume achieved was nothing short of extraordinary
I grew up during the 1970s and 1980s and like many of my age watched the late John Hume speak on television every evening trying to bring an end to violence in the north.
What he achieved during his lifetime is nothing short of extraordinary.
Political commentators often talk about a politician’s lasting legacy when they die. John Hume’s legacy was simply ‘end violence and bring peace to the island of Ireland’.
John Hume was just on a completely different level, intellectually defining both Irish nationalism, the principle of consent, respect and diversity for all the people of Ireland.
John Hume was without question an international world statesman and is also Ireland’s greatest Irish patriot.
After ending violence in the north and succeeding with the Good Friday Agreement he received world recognition for putting his own life on the line saving the north from complete civil war between the British government and violent paramilitaries.
There is a generation of people who have never gone through or experienced the Troubles thanks to the heroism of John Hume.
The lengths this ‘saint of a man’ went to bring peace and end the troubles of the north should never be underestimated.
PATRICK CLARKE
Castlewellan, Co Down
Inspirational leader
As we light a candle to the memory of John Hume let it be a symbol not just of remembrance and thanks, but also of renewed commitment to cherishing and safeguarding the peace and justice which he worked all his life for, inspiring so many in his courageous commitment to non-violence and the principles of inclusivity and respect for difference. Our deepest condolences go to his wife Pat, his family, friends and colleagues and the people of Derry and all who mourn for him.
With the passing of Seamus Mallon and John Hume in 2020 we have lost two courageous and inspiring leaders who were instrumental in bringing an end to a lengthy, bitter, divisive and seemingly intractable conflict. May we always honour their memories and may their work inspire the current generation of leaders on this island, north and south.
JULITTA CLANCY
Meath Peace Group
Joshua generation
John Hume is often compared to Dr Martin Luther King, who led the civil rights movement and helped to achieve equality for blacks in the US. As a result of this a new generation of young people grew up who became actively involved in politics and helped to elect Obama as the first black president. This was the so-called Generation Joshua – called after the Biblical character Joshua who led the nation of Israel after Moses.
John Hume will be remembered in a similar vein, as someone who prepared the way for the people in Northern Ireland by non-violent means which resulted in the Good Friday Agreement. The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize, the Gandhi Prize and the Martin Luther King Prize are all evidence of this.
JAMES DOHERTY
Derry
Masks offer no protection against Covid-19
I noticed The Irish News (August 1) on face masks. Please let the truth out to the people – masks do nothing to protect anyone.
The British Medical Journal, April 22 2015, states that the use of masks are not recommended as protection against any virus respiratory infection.
The mask manufacturer states on the mask packages – “this product will not provide any protection against Covid-19 or any other viruses”.
The viruses are so small they just drift through the mask.
TERRI JACKSON
Bangor, Co Down
