Patrick Murphy – ‘Farewell to the SDLP’ (May 28) – provides interesting analysis to explain the demise of the SDLP. However, there is an alternative explanation that deserves to be considered.
John Hume was a confirmed Europhile who coined the phrase of ‘a post-nationalist Ireland’ at the height of the SDLP’s most successful period.
It can easily be argued that, instead of following John Hume’s post-nationalist Europhile lead, the SDLP have been subverted by the failed narrow nationalist party agenda of a united Ireland that now requires a majority vote across both jurisdictions in favour of Irish unity.
Along with others, the SDLP argues that the only route back into the European Union (EU) is through a united Ireland, but they are wrong.
Northern Ireland never left the EU Single Market for goods. Google ‘VIES’ and the drop-down list of member states of the EU includes Northern Ireland. We never left. This is the bridgehead – the foot in the door – that inevitably leads back to full EU membership for Northern Ireland.
What do I mean?
Well, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) interprets EU law to ensure the effective and uniform application of European Union legislation and to prevent divergent interpretations. The Lisbon (2009) and other EU treaties specifically reference ‘ever closer union’ and the CJEU is arguably obliged to factor in that outcome in its deliberations.
The challenge for the SDLP – and indeed for any Europhile political party or civic body – is to scrutinise post-Brexit EU legislation relating to the Single Market in goods to determine whether all or some of these require the implementation of legislation outside the narrow definition of ‘goods’ to also be fully enacted, and then to bring these before the CJEU. As it is obliged to rule in favour of ‘ever closer union’, the CJEU may rule to greatly expand the range of EU legislation affecting Northern Ireland until we are once again a full member state of the EU. While this may appear a more incremental approach, its outcome is almost certain, and it can be
achieved now.
Moreover, as the GFBA is arguably an Acts of Union by another name, unionists in NI could – if they wish – at the same time make the case for NI to have exactly the same Strand Three relationship accorded to the Republic of Ireland, ie a full EU member state and full participant in the British-Irish Council and Intergovernmental Conference.
DR BERNARD MULHOLLAND
Belfast BT9
No legitimate cause through terrorism
The attempted murder of John Caldwell is another sinister development in the history of Northern Ireland – a history which does not seem to be getting any better. The bad days of old never seem to go away for very long with militant republicans refusing to accept the principle of peace as a way forward, rather than extremism. The seemingly permanent suspension of Stormont is not helping matters either, with the absence of an executive which would condemn such attacks on police and support the police in their endeavours to enrich the quality of lives for people. There is no legitimate cause through terrorism. It will achieve nothing, only kill and maim people. Young people are being roped into terrorist organisations because they are immature and clueless about life. That is why it is crucial that young diversion programmes are in place to steer teenagers away from a life of evil when they are vulnerable young adults and at a loss to know what to do with their lives. There are plenty of organisations who want to live out the old pre-GFA/Belfast murder and bomb days. Society and government must look for upstream solutions to stop problems and crime developing, rather than downhill ones which don’t work and change nothing. More people must get involved in shaping a better future, rather than leaving it to the parties and fifth column terrorists to fill gaps and vacuums. Time and time again in NI, when political vacuums have occurred, terrorism has raised its head with alarming regularity. As an Irish citizen, I do not want to live on an island where police officers are considered legitimate targets, no matter what authority or jurisdiction they work in. I hate living on an island where terrorism is at play and criminality has taken root in organised form together. Let us all aim for far higher ground than that or be damned if we don’t.
MAURICE FITZGERALD
Shanbally, Co Cork
Future is far from Orange
Ian Paisley has said that we are nowhere near a border poll but that if and when one is called, there should have to be a turnout quota and a super majority. That would be effectively to rewrite the Good Friday Agreement (GFA). But how about this Ian. What do you think of a future border poll asking the following question: Do you agree that the six counties should be reunited with the rest of Ireland, or do you believe the six counties should remain as part of the UK? If neither side has a super majority what should then happen in relation to the six counties remaining in the UK? In other words Ian, why do you think that elections or referendums here should favour a unionist minority? Your back is against the wall now Ian and a long way from when your party had a confidence and supply arrangement with the Tories when you boasted that the future was Orange.
SEÁN O’FIACH
Belfast BT11
