Opinion

What the electorate needs is conciliation not posturing confrontation

There has been much outrage at Baroness Hoey’s recent published opinions. Jeffrey Donaldson’s endorsement was consistent with the DUP’s history. As a former Christian Brothers’ pupil I think, rather than outrage, Hoey’s remarks are best viewed as a backhanded compliment to the work of religious orders which provided the education to enable so many to make a way in the world. One of my inspirational teachers, Brother Gleeson, who passed away only a few months ago, would have appreciated the irony and had some amusing comments of his own.

Reflecting on the 100 years since partition, and ignoring the tawdry record of social injustice, which some still deny, is it really a surprise that the economic powerhouse that was the north-east of Ireland, became the economic basket case that is Northern Ireland? By excluding the Catholic population and of course women, unionism elected to draw on the abilities of a very small proportion of the population. In such circumstances most of what floated to the top was not talent. While certain individuals will have prospered the cumulative damage to economic efficiency and competitiveness was a predictable result and unionism’s legacy.

As a nationalist, Hoey and Donaldson aside, the conspicuous silence by other unionist MLAs just reinforced old suspicions that other unionists were repeating Paisley’s words, but just under their breath. As ever, actions speak loudest. Over the past 50 years we have been treated to regular examples of pacts and alliances, all the better to ensure successful sectarian head counts –  especially at Westminster elections. Last October the group picture of TUV, DUP, UUP and PUP leaders spoke for itself. Since becoming leader, given the choice of either appealing to moderate or extreme unionism, it seems Donaldson’s DUP has opted for the extreme position, calculating that is how they will secure most votes next May. Well, they should know. Beattie’s UU policy zig zags and craven appearance for that group photo, suggests fears of being labelled a ‘Lundy’ stops him from straying too far towards the middle ground.

The key question is: What about the future? What if the DUP and UU are wrong and the unionist electorate is prepared to reward a leadership that genuinely pivots towards the middle ground, indicating a willingness to look beyond its own narrow community perspective? The thing about leadership is that sometimes one must lead. Nesbitt’s cack-handed effort to reach out to the SDLP was clearly rushed and ill-thought through and since he only did so after trying everything else from a mini-me role with Robinson over the flag protests, through the familiar, sectarian electoral pact, suggested his political convictions were not deeply held.


Since even Sinn Féin have started, albeit glacially, to realise we need conciliation not posturing confrontation, one wonders, given the regard garnered by Robin Swann over Covid, what would Beattie have to lose?

FRANK HENNESSEY


Belfast BT9

We all have the right to a cure

‘No-one is safe until everyone is safe’. These words of the World Health Organization have, unfortunately, never been more relevant. Covid-19 and its variants don’t recognise international borders and must be confronted at a global level.

Recognising this, I’d like to bring an important campaign to the attention of your readers. ‘No Profit On Pandemic’ is a European Citizens’ Initiative which can be signed by any European citizen of voting age at www.NoProfitOnPandemic.eu.

This initiative is designed to ensure the European Commission takes legislative action to stop major pharmaceutical companies hampering the accessibility or availability of any Covid-19 vaccine or treatment.

The campaign focuses on securing a TRIPS Waiver which would see the temporary suspension of intellectual property rights surrounding the vaccines, meaning countries around the world could manufacture their own vaccines and treatments which would allow nations to more quickly address the crisis and fight the pandemic at a local level.

This is vital because as we all can see our insular approach to solving this pandemic is not working. Two years on and we’re still facing increased infection numbers. New variants keep springing up because we are allowing the virus to mutate untreated in many parts of the world. Each time this happens our existing vaccination treatments become less effective. In short, a global pandemic requires a global solution.

The campaign seeks a culture of ‘public money, public control’. Taxpayers paid for the research and development of vaccines and treatments. What has been paid for by the people should remain in peoples’ hands. We cannot allow big pharmaceutical companies to privatise crucial health technologies that have been developed with public resources.

A collective threat requires solidarity, not private profiteering. Public investments should always come with guarantees on availability and affordability.

Covid-19 continues to spread like wildfire. Our solutions must travel even faster, because no-one is safe until everyone across the globe has access to safe and effective treatments and vaccines. We all have the right to a cure.

CHRIS MacMANUS MEP


Sligo, Co Sligo

So much for GFA safeguards

Alliance, Sinn Féin and SDLP now appear to have changed position on the protocol. The supporters of the protocol insisted that the initial problems were ‘teething issues’ and that the EU and UK governments should press ahead with implementation. Having facilitated the imposition of the protocol its supporters no doubt now realise the full implications of their folly for us all. Just one example is that VAT would be payable on the full cost of second hand cars brought over from mainland UK, which could increase the cost of a typical car by around £2,000. Alliance are now seeking to change the sea border to a ‘dotted line down the Irish Sea’ whereas it appears to me that a ‘dotted line’ along the border with the Republic would have been a workable solution at the outset, with very little increased cost or inconvenience. Alliance also appear to be insisting that cross-community consent, in the assembly, is not required for the protocol because (based on an opinion poll) the community accepts such arrangements are necessary.

So much for all the safeguards supposedly built into the Good Friday Agreement to ensure the interests of the whole community are protected.

JAMES MARTIN


Dromore, Co Down

Looking for answers

Has Sir Jeffrey Donaldson commented on this? The British Foreign Secretary Ms Liz Truss met the the European vice-president Maros Sefcovic to try and overhaul the Northern Ireland Protocol. According to media reports Scottish smoked salmon, Welsh lamb and Kent apple pie were served. Not one item from Northern Ireland was served. Did Sir Jeffrey complain to the foreign office? Here were top politicians talking about Northern Ireland but could not eat food from the place. What was wrong with Irish smoked salmon, Mourne lamb and Armagh apple pie washed down with Black Bush whiskey?


Let’s hope that Jeffrey gets answers.

TONY CARROLL


Newry, Co Down