Sinn Fein’s ambition of taking governmental seats on both sides of the border, nominally strengthening their position in future negotiations, might happen soon. Perhaps, but it does raise the question of how unionism and the UK government will react? Given the perceived imbalance (which unionists would certainly highlight), it is not hard to envisage pressure for the UK government to advocate for unionism rather than act as an independent honest broker.
While history is never a reliable predictor, the odds of the Tory 80-seat majority being overturned in one election are low. The more likely outcome in 2024 or earlier, is another Tory government with a much-reduced majority. Johnson’s large majority explains of course why he was happy to throw the DUP under the proverbial bus with the NI protocol. It was no coincidence that Thatcher, also secure with a huge majority, signed the Anglo-Irish agreement in 1985. Significantly, over the 40 years since that agreement and the next UK election, there have been many occasions when a Tory government depended upon unionist support from both major governments – the Tory-Liberal coalition when Paterson scrapped equal recruitment for the PSNI; Cameron, laughably tried to replace Bercow with Nigel Dodds as Speaker; then we had Theresa May’s DUP confidence and supply agreement and lastly the ‘Widgery style’ conclusions of the RHI report. In truth, the Tories have spent most of the last decade focused on keeping unionists onside, so why should the next 10 be any different?
Looking ahead, a hypothetical situation might arise. What if a weakened UK government were to offer a vote at Westminster on whether to allow a unification referendum (possibly linked to one for Scotland), but with unionist support, the vote would likely be lost? Would Sinn Féin seriously persist with what Churchill called the “gift of abstentionism” and tamely allow unionism to block such a historic opportunity by default? Somehow, I doubt it. Logically accepting the possibility of a yes to this question, then a continued refusal not to show up, is not one of principle, just pragmatic timing. But then republican principles always were self-defeating dogma.
A declaration of an intention to attend Westminster and vote would have a seismic impact politically. If the unionist minority voting block was permanently cancelled the calculations of Tory governments and unionists would be changed forever. Further, if Sinn Féin really are serious about unification, then why not make such a statement sooner rather than later, and put their words into action?
FRANK HENNESSEY
Belfast BT9
UnDemocratic unionist parties
The DUP, in its title, claims to be democratic. It may be the largest party in Northern Ireland (presently) but is it really democratic in its attitudes and actions?
In a democratic referendum in 1998 a majority of people in NI agreed to remain in the UK until a majority choose otherwise. No doubt the DUP accepts the status quo, but will it accept a democratic vote to leave the UK?
In a referendum in 2016 a majority of people in NI voted democratically to remain in the EU (as did a majority in Scotland where, in 2014, a majority had voted to remain in the UK).
The people of NI therefore have a democratic right to be in both the UK and the EU (as do the people of Scotland).
The DUP does not accept NI’s democratic right to be in the EU, arguing that the 2016 referendum referred to the UK as a whole, in ignorance of or denial that the 2016 referendum was undemocratic in that it did not include the Republic of Ireland as it should have done to accord with the democratic 1998 Good Friday Agreement which the DUP did not accept.
Despite Brexit having, arguably, been brought into being undemocratically, the Protocol meets the democratically expressed wishes of the people of NI to be in both the UK and the EU.
Will the DUP now honestly admit to being undemocratic and get off the stage?
The UK, in effect greater England, could be a wonderful institution if it wasn’t dominated by England and its overwhelmingly large population. The Good Friday Agreement has within it the institutions for a more balanced ordering of the affairs of the peoples of these islands, but they haven’t been fully implemented. Brexit has made belated implementation more difficult. Was that the DUP’s intention in supporting Brexit?
DENNIS GOLDEN
Strabane, Co Tyrone
No money to go around
The cost of living has soared for everyone, yet some people strike to claim a rise when they know there is no money. I’m a lone pensioner, so I can’t strike for more money. Because I worked and saved for a mortgage I now have rates to pay. Yet there are people who never worked and get all the benefits available. There are sacrifices to be made. I now have to cut back on food and fuel in order to try to get by. Others should realise there is no money to go around and that they have to make sacrifices like the rest of us.
THERESE KELLY
Co Derry
Parochial rhetoric
Our oppression Olympians are at it again – ‘Under the jackboot of the EU’, according to Jamie Bryson; ‘a land grab by the EU’, according to Patrick Murphy.
At a time when the Ukrainians are experiencing real jackboots, and a real land grab, such self-pitying parochial rhetoric is embarrassingly tone-deaf.
The protocol is a hobby-horse for the terminally unhinged. It’s a dull trading compromise. Whether they’re for it or against it, most
normal people have more important things to worry about.
SEÁN mac CANN
Trillick, Co Tyrone
FareShare appeals for volunteers
Local food charity FareShare Northern Ireland is urgently appealing for warehouse volunteers to provide vital support to local communities by sorting the food that it receives from food partners and picking daily orders for local charities.
FareShare Northern Ireland takes good quality, in-date surplus food and redistributes it to more than 164 local charities and community groups supporting vulnerable people – including homeless hostels, schools, and community hubs. In 2021, the charity delivered around 800 tonnes of food to create the equivalent of 1,900,228 meals across Northern Ireland.
We’re asking members of the public with spare time to lend a hand and help with increased demand in the local area. Our volunteers have been providing a lifeline to people across Northern Ireland throughout the pandemic. We urgently need new volunteers to help us get food onto more people’s plates. We’re really hoping the community will rally and help people in need.
Find out more about volunteering opportunities on FareShare’s website: fareshare.org.uk/volunteer/ or phone 079 9004 3523.
SIOBHAN ROCKS
Volunteer Coorinator, FareShare Northern Ireland
