Opinion

Another chance for unionism to positively shape the future

InA Long Peace? The Future of Unionism in Northern Ireland, which I co-authored with Mick Fealty and David Steven in 2003, we concluded that for the union to survive it required ‘a firmer, bolder, more far sighted unionism’ and that people must want the union. We argued it was not enough to be right in your arguments but you also had to make them attractive.

We recommended that unionism focused on creating ‘a peaceful, economically prosperous and politically stable Northern Ireland’.


It was not about making unionism more yielding but to ensure it engaged and shaped debates. It could be strong where strength was needed, but accept compromise where it was appropriate.

In essence, its goal should be a genuinely shared Northern Ireland, with good relations across the island and between these islands. That is the right thing to promote but it also makes strategic sense, in terms of protecting the union, because the principle of consent ensures that the constitutional position in Northern Ireland will be determined by a majority of people here.

There’s no point in rehashing the failures of the past, but unionism has another chance to reflect on how it can shape the future positively for people in Northern Ireland. There are a wide range of voices acknowledging that unionists need to do some hard thinking, including some from fairly traditional unionist backgrounds that would normally resist change.

One source of inspiration might be the fans of our international football team, who realised that sectarianism was destroying the game they loved. They looked at themselves and said “we have to change, we have to challenge ourselves and make sure our sport is welcoming to everyone”

With the demographics as they are, there is little point in having two main unionist parties that appeal to certain types of Protestants. There is need for at least one party that is genuinely open to everyone and aspires to build a Northern Ireland for all. To start that process, it might be sensible to ask a small but diverse group of people to provide feedback on where unionist parties failed in the past and how they might succeed in the future.

Unionism has nothing to lose from building relationships with those who want to take responsibility for Northern Ireland’s well-being. There will always be a small group who will want it to fail, and they need to be challenged, pointing out that they’re letting down the people they represent.

Northern Ireland has to be shared, but, at a minimum, there must be agreement that the only legitimate way to promote either constitutional preference in the longer term is to make this place work properly for its people in the short term.

These conversations may be difficult, but unionism needs to have them now in order to promote its goals.  

TREVOR RINGLAND


Holywood, Co Down

Unification of Ireland within Britain an attractive option

The people of Ireland, and further afield, will hold varying opinions of Martin McGuinness and the organisation he represented and supported throughout his life.

Freedom is a compelling urge within humanity and can drive people to attain their meaning of freedom by fair means or foul, becoming proud to be identified as ‘freedom fighters’.

In many, or most cases they take up arms against the state that has denied them the freedom they desire.

However, when the same freedom fighters allow their followers to butcher innocent men, women and children, support for their cause inevitably diminishes.

People outside the state then take up retaliatory action to protect their beliefs. This involves more innocent humanity slaughtered, the freedom fighters (both breeds) now become terrorists.

This is where the IRA/UVF or whoever went wrong as no government of any substance can stand back and allow any form of terrorism to win, be it republican, loyalist or any other breed.

What I find ludicrous with Mr McGuinness’s IRA is that they accepted enormous political and financial support from America, and to a lesser extent Australia and New Zealand, countries that were founded by the slaughter of their indigenous tribes – freedom for these people never came into the equation.

To date in Northern Ireland over 3,000 people, have been senselessly slaughtered to attain the desires of Mr McGuinness & Co. Giving credit where it is due Mr McGuinness may have realised that adopting a peaceful approach would produce more hope of attaining Ireland’s unification and to that end he played his part.

A peaceful unification of Ireland within Britain must surely be more attractive than another 100 years of divisive hell and human slaughter?

HARRY STEPHENSON


Kircubbin, Co Down

Who is the real coward?

I listened to Lord Tebbit (and there was me reared to believe there was only one lord) belittling Martin McGuinness and saying the IRA were defeated etc. While I understand his anger at the IRA as they bombed Brighton hotel, injuring him and his wife severely, and I condemn this bombing as I equally condemn all who use the bomb and bullet to force their will or views on others. But it was bizarre to hear a British minister (who over the years has voted for many wars) calling Martin and other Irish men and women cowards. Has he no shame? This from a government who adore and honour British snipers who kill from miles away and who use tomahawk missiles sent from 100s of miles away from their victim. Of course Britain uses the real coward’s weapon – drones from 1000s of miles  from their target and kill fellow human beings.


Now I ask who is the real coward?


As for being defeated or not winning the war I ask Lord Tebbit when did his country (Britain) last win a war (which they chose to get involved with) or leave any such country more peaceful or prosperous than prior to their warmongering.

PETER McEVOY


Banbridge, Co Down

Human side of Martin’s passing

Despite the emerging and variant views appearing in the media of Martin McGuinness’s death one aspect that resonated with me was the human side of his passing having suffered with the rare degenerative disease that I also am being treated for since 2013 – Amyloidosis – which basically attacks all the vital organs of the body. It is incurable but is treated with chemotherapy and other drugs such as Thalidomide – which I have to take 21 days each month on top of kidney dialysis three days a week in the Ulster Hospital.

Last week I sent a card to Martin McGuinness informing him that there were people in Bangor praying for him. I have ho idea if the card, addressed to Stormont, would have got to him on time but I hope it did. Amyloidosis is a difficult disease and there is little public awareness about it. Maybe one last legacy of Martin McGuinness will also be to help shed more light and public attention on this debilitating and serious illness.

COLIN NEVIN


Bangor, Co Down

Beware of Tory trap

James Brokenshire is threatening to call a new election should the parties fail to agree within three weeks. This would be a Tory ploy to improve the unionist electoral position in a new poll as he and his Tory party are not happy with the recent election result.

Sinn Féin and the SDLP should boycott and not participate in any new election. The people have spoken and nationalists and republicans are in a strong position, so please don’t put this at risk.

Would James Brokenshire and the Tories be in favour of a new vote on Brexit?


I think not.

PATRICK McCOLLUM


Castlewellan, Co Down