Republicanism

If Gerry Adams were to tell me today is Monday, I’d doublecheck my diary just to make sure.

I don’t believe that Sinn Fein should be ever considered a truly democratic party, until there is a full and frank confession of the crimes committed by all its members during the last four decades.

I believe that The Cult of Leader Gerry inhibits true political debate and progress within not only Sinn Fein, but Northern Ireland as a whole.

I believe Sinn Fein are still essentially a sectarian party, uninterested in widening their electoral support beyond their own “traditional” narrow support-base….

Yet, yet…..  

I was talking to a very close relative last night, one who lost two of his best friends to Provo murder gangs in the early 80s. We were nattering, of course, about the day’s developments down at the RDS.  

His verdict on the passed Ard Chomhairle motion was posed in a rhetoric question, “well, is it good news for Northern Ireland or not?”   

“To achieve this the Ard Chomhairle is hereby mandated to:* Appoint Sinn Féin representatives to the Policing Board and the District Policing Partnership Boards to ensure that:- a civic policing service, accountable and representative of the community is delivered as quickly as possible, - the Chief Constable and the PSNI are publicly held to account,- policing with the community is achieved as the core function of the PSNI,

- political policing, collusion and “the force within a force” is a thing of the past and to oppose any involvement by the British Security Service/MI5 in civic policing”    Strip away all the macho posturing, the flowery speeches, the carefully stage-managed photo opportunities.   

Strip away all the macho posturing, the flowery speeches, the carefully stage-managed photo opportunities.   This motion is Republicans accepting, for the first time, that everybody in Northern Ireland deserves a police force, an impartial Northern Irish police force working under the normal legal guidelines followed by any other police force in the UK (or the rest of Europe for that matter). Crime prevention carried out not by the boys with balaclavas and baseballs, but by *normal*, on-the-beat coppers.  

And if you look at the end of the motion, that acceptance isn’t conditional:  

“That the Ard Chomhairle is mandated to implement this motion only when the power-sharing institutions are established and when the Ard Chomhairle is satisfied that the policing and justice powers will be transferred. Or if this does not happen within the St Andrews timeframe, only when acceptable new partnership arrangements to implement the Good Friday Agreement are in place.”  

Whether it’s a power-sharing executive or Plan B, Sinn Fein have agreed to the principle of supporting the PSNI and the criminal justice system. It’s there in back and white.

Now, of course, actions speak louder than words and of course, I still hold much of what Sinn Fein stands for in deep contempt, but… surely isn’t that statement good news for all of us in Northern Ireland?  

Monday, January 29th, 2007 // General

I don’t want to get into the ins and outs of collusion or make too much of a judgement without evidence, as many in Northern Ireland no doubt will or indeed have already done. I am not surprised by the supposed “revelation” of RUC collusion or that certain members of the old Police force colluded with paramilitaries. Nobody can claim that our conflict was in anyway clean, even the terrorists called it a “dirty war”, and so to claim surprise when a dirty little secret is revealed makes little sense outside of political point scoring. I am not attempting to justify the crimes of people in the past or excuse them but to highlight that they were not uniquely evil. Policemen, many of whom came from the communities targeted by Republicans could not have all remained as decent as the majority of rank and file officers did, its just the impossibility of human nature, just like those Catholics in 1969 who watched their homes being burned by Loyalist gangs could not all have remained decent as the majority of Catholics did.

Within the context of our conflict the informants system was tragically going to fall prey to the instances of murder highlighted, however collusion is different from turning a blind eye, in order to collude the officers in question would have had to set up or help organise the murders - which some may well have done - but I don’t possess the evidence. However accepting that terrorists are going to kill and turning a blind eye to those few murders may have prevented greater acts of terrorism. Within the context of the dirty war we cannot see what was necessary from what was morally unjustifiable and plain sectarian murder with regards to the RUC. If evidence suggests otherwise then no one can morally argue against it.

What I will say is I am not surprised by the Republican hypocrites reaction to the whole sordid affair who of course jumped on the moral high ground.

Calling for heads to roll, people to be fired, prosecutions, justice and using the murder of 15 people to excuse or justify the terrorism of Nationalists. In an ideally moral country yes, certainly evidence of murder and collusion should be fairly dealt with, in an ideally moral country paramilitaries who murdered innocent civilians for sectarian reasons would be jailed and serve their full sentences for those crimes…but you see, we don’t live in either an ideal or a moral country, we live in Northern Ireland.

I will agree with Martin McGuinness that ex-RUC members, Special Branch officers, former Chief Constables and the like be imprisoned for acts of supporting or overlooking acts of murder; when Mr McGuinness is put on trial for his crimes, when OTR terrorists are hunted down and locked up. When those who did not serve their full sentences thanks to the GFA are returned to prison or when Mr McGuinness gives up those members of his organisation who were not prosecuted for acts of sectarian murder. Until then Sinn Fein members and supporters have no moral high ground on which to stand to accuse others or hold people to standards of prosecution they themselves feel exempted from because of their ‘political idealism’ or supposed ‘cause’.

If I may indulge my own idealism: we should have an amnesty for all those involved in the 30+ year conflict, if we cannot be consistent with our standards, and should seek to build a better future for all of us and our future generations. I cannot change the dark days of what we allowed to occur in our country, nor do I wish to go on a moralistic revenge trip, rather I’d be happy to remember only so that it spurs us on to never again allow ourselves to return to such a dark place. I don’t believe a South African style “Truth & Reconciliation” commission would be anything more than a sop or a cynical exercise, but perhaps we require something similar, which allows a blanket amnesty for those who partake in it in order that it is firmly placed in the past once and for all, I believe it would be a welcome relief for many…apart from of course most Republicans and most Loyalists.

Wednesday, January 24th, 2007 // Northern Ireland: Politics

While surfing the Internet I came across a number of Irish-American websites excitedly counting down to ‘Paddy’s Day’. I began thinking about Christmas and its annual countdown and the similarities between it and St. Patrick’s Day. For St. Patrick’s day celebrations have as much to do with a 5th century teetotal Christian fundamentalist, as Christmas has to do with the birth of Christ.

I for one am amused by Paddy’s day. Not least by the sight of “Plastic Paddy’s” everywhere bedecked in green, with leprechaun hats, black thorn sticks, the obligatory pint of Guinness and sometimes an Irish tricolour. Indeed even I, in the past, have been known to join in the festivities of celebrating our “Patron Saint” (minus the hat, stick and tricolour) and from what I can remember I thoroughly enjoyed my indulgement of Paddywhackery culture (for it is anything but authentic Irish culture). But the most amusing thing of all about March 17th or there abouts, is the seriousness with which both our tribes and Irish America take it. Some DUPer will always be waiting in the wings to inform “us Prods” that Saint Patrick “Is ours too, you know”, like somehow we didn’t?!

And the small but dreadfully annoying ‘grumpy Prod brigade’ so disdainful of supposed “Irishness”, however unauthentic, plastic or non-threatening it is, must insist on projecting their misery onto others by demanding parades with no green, no tricolours (mmm…what about the orange bit?), no alcohol, basically no fun for anyone!

Lest I should forget all those “liberal internationalist” Republicans out there, I’m also equally amused by their idea of what an “authentic” St. Patrick’s day is, much like the one mentioned above, only with Celtic shirts, Armalite T-shirts, Toicfaidh Ar La key-rings and various pro-IRA tack! “We’re not alienatin’ anybody, so we’re not” is the cry from rebel whiners when you question their precious sacrosanct expression of “Irishness”, considering they’re supposedly defenders of traditional Irish culture its surprising their clinginess to a decidedly unauthentic display of pure plastic paddyness.

As with most things in Northern Ireland St. Patrick’s day is a means by which to express our ingrained sectarianism and hatreds for one another. I do not believe St. Patrick’s day is something of great importance or significance, to either our culture, identity or conflict, rather it is a non-issue made into a sectarian mud flinging exercise and propaganda battle. Of course I can see the fun side to it and am not a complete dreary sod, I don’t think it should be banned, suppressed or excluded, nor do I believe it has much authenticity or relation to Irishness. After all Irishness defined as a celebration of the Irish Nationalist identity and republican cause, is only a narrow view of what it means for someone to be ‘Irish’. There are the Anglo-Irish, Ulster-Scots, Anglicans, Presbyterians, Methodists, Atheists, non-indigenous people of various backgrounds and religions. If I am to celebrate my Irishness as I see it, I cannot express it fully in the context of a republican “triumphalist coat trailing exercise”, my symbols of identity, culture, history and heritage are not respected in the context of such a supposed celebration of Irelands ‘Patron Saint’.

Solution? I’m not sure if there is a solution beyond my own idealism. Ideally I’d like to see a celebration in Northern Ireland that was truly inclusive, all embracing, open minded and welcoming. Where not only are tricolours, Gaelic culture and nationalist symbols celebrated, but were all the other strains of Irishness were equitably accounted for and given space. If it were up to me I’d have everybody bring as many flags as they’d like, British, Irish or other. Imagine if you would a sea of red, white & blue; green, white & orange? If you think it would be a colour clash then perhaps you should tell that to Irish-Americans where Paddy’s day parades in the USA are awash with tricolours and stars & stripes. Think about a lively music performance of bodhrans, tin-whistles, fiddles, flutes and bagpipes…and dare I suggest lambegs? If you believe lambeg drums are threatening then you’ve never heard one played well (yes such a thing is possible) and it is regarded amongst ‘Prods’ with the same passion as a bodhran player regards his small but worthy tool.

There is more than one musical tradition in Ireland, one identity, one type of cultural tradition, if inclusiveness is supposedly the bottom line of a multi-cultural society - which Britain and Ireland pride themselves on being - then we should be able to incorporate each others culture into our celebrating St. Patrick’s day and beyond that limited scope as well, by doing so we might be able to strip away the negative sectarian cloud hanging over our various traditions and cultural celebrations. I have no doubt this will NOT happen. Sectarianism appears to be Northern Ireland’s main cultural tradition - and until people are brave enough to truly be inclusive and tolerant - then we’ll forever be going around in circles.

“Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it”

Friday, January 19th, 2007 // Northern Ireland: Politics

Alexander Solzhenitsyn (Russian writer), Vaclav Havel (ex Czech President) and Aung San Suu Kyi (Burmese pro-democracy activist) are all, for different reasons and in different parts of the world, very courageous people. They were also (and in the case of Aung san Suu Kyi still is) dissidents. And. no, that doesn’t mean they firebombed DIY stores or they couldn’t bear having a fenian about the place.

For, despite what the Sinn Fein/DUP Politburos and lazy N.Irish journalists may tell you, “dissident” is not a dirty word, a person to be shunned by all those naice people “committed” to the *Peace* Process.

Back to faithful Wiki, for a rather broader definition of the word “dissident“:

A dissident, broadly defined, is a person who actively opposes an established opinion, policy, or structure. The term is most often used to refer to political dissidents, usually against authoritarian regimes or established constitutional order (although there are rare uses of the phrase philosophical dissident). Political dissidents use non-violent means of political dissent, including voicing criticism of the government or dominating ideology, or protesting individual actions by the authorities.

“Dissent”, “Protest”, “Opposition to the Established Norms” and even,”Dissidents” are, (but whisper it gently in Norn Iron), generally recognised as good things for democracy.

Fact: party apparachniks and an electorate who obediently nod at everything Gerry and Big Ian tells them is not going to push forward the democratic process in N.Ireland.

Whilst I’d much rather that the present challenges to the DUP/SF were coming from secular, liberal Unionists and genuinely socialist Republicans respectively, if the end result is the same –the splintering of the DUP and Sinn Fein monoliths and the future development of a non-sectarian, fully functioning political system in Ulster, then I ain’t going to complain.

So, good luck to all the political dissidents!

Paul
A Dissident Unionist
(http://www.betterunion.co.uk)

Tuesday, January 16th, 2007 // Northern Ireland: Politics

OK, I haven’t technically sorted out the long-running Parades issue just yet, but I think I’ve got a viable blueprint, provided the communities in question have the leadership and resolve to pull it off.

So, Let’s Work Out The Grievances

The Orange Order are the parading Kings (and Queens) of Northern Ireland. They organise more expeditions per year than your local hiking group and are generally well-attended by certain sections of the community.

These Parades don’t exactly knock the socks off some Nationalist residents, who steadfastly refuse to allow parades to pass through ‘their’ areas. And no wonder. We only have to look to the violence on the Springfield Road last year when marchers were denied access to the Whiterock. Would you want those yahoos ripping tiles off your roof and smashing up your car?

But then, is it possible that Nationalists are provoked into reacting by their local resident’s groups? I mean, if managed properly how long would a parade take to pass through the area? An hour, two at most. Better still, instead of pretending to be prisoners in your own home, come out and support the parade because you can. If you must get caught up in symbolism, let it be positive.

Right, are you with me so far? In summary: Orange Order - your entourage is carrying too much riff raff. Nationalist residents - you’re getting too shirty about a parade that’ll have passed in an hour.

The Spirit Of Reconciliation

OK. Swallow hard people, this is where we have to accommodate.

Orange Order & Guests: Leave the rabble behind. It may be the Queen’s highway, but this is a bridge building exercise. If anyone on the day looks like they’re geared for trouble, tell them to watch the parade via BBC1 or meet you down the Kneebreakers later. Likewise, anyone with terrorist connections should probably stay at home too.

The people of the Nationalist area you are proposing to walk through aren’t thrilled about the music. Perhaps an appropriate silence as you pass through would be a fitting mark of respect.

On the plus side, if all goes well this year, next year’s parade will be a doddle to organise and we might not need the Parades Commission to intervene.

Nationalist Residents: You are inviting the Protestant people into your area under friendly terms. Don’t underestimate the significance of this.

I’d like to see a welcoming gesture at the interface, with a selection of members of the community greeting the parade as it begins to pass through. Perhaps a banner celebrating the occasion and welcoming the parade through and an appropriate photo op handshake between the leader of the parade and one of the residents.

To come back to the issue of disenfranchisement from September, it might show that the two areas aren’t all that different. It might show Protestants that West Belfast Catholics live much the same way and have similar lifestyles. It’s not Beverley Hills on the Falls Road compared with Ethiopia on the Shankill!

A Model For The Future?

Am I being stunningly naive as usual? Are both parties so consumed by bigotry that they don’t want a solution to this? Or are they simply allowing themselves to be stirred up by their ‘community leaders’?

Not to blow my own trumpet, but I think this is a fine model for peaceful parades in Northern Ireland. On both sides.

No-one can ‘win’ the parades issue. It is something that recurrs every year and isn’t likely to stop. The best that everybody can hope for is a peaceful compromise.

Wednesday, May 31st, 2006 // Northern Ireland: Politics

I took a hard line yesterday on the language of Republicanism, the talk of continuing struggles and so on. Chris took some offense at my position, which I still feel is justified.

Looking To The Future

Now, Chris Gaskin is an intelligent fellow. As a student of law, he is no doubt aware of some of the ridiculous laws that were created generations ago. Laws that are unrealistic and do not apply to society today.

And, if last centuries’ notions of Protestant/Unionist supremacy are subject to ridicule today, why are other historical events like the Easter Rising beyond scrutiny? They shouldn’t be. We cannot uphold principles from the past century if they do not apply to society today. These things need to be questioned.

What is the compelling reason for a United Ireland? Why should we consider it? Who will benefit from a United Ireland? What about the Unionist/Loyalist population - and people like myself who just want a normal society without the labels? What relevance does the Easter Rising have for modern life in (Northern) Ireland?

Common Ground - Social Problems

Republicanism - yes, and Loyalism - are movements which serve to separate the population by convincing their respective followers of an irredeemable gulf exists between them. But strip those people of their political identities and they are virtually the same. They suffer the same problems: education standards, unemployment, housing, teenage pregnancy, medical care, disenfranchised youth.

I’ve spent quite a bit of time on both the Falls and Shankill Roads over the years, and both are bustling, thriving working-class communities. If both of those neighbourhoods worked together to their mutual advantage, there’s no telling what they might achieve. They have so much in common.

Where are the bold politicians willing to tackle social problems on a truly equal basis? They simply don’t exist.

And that, my friends, is my problem with Republicans. And also with Loyalists. And with anybody who pushes a one-sided political agenda instead of focusing on the issues our society is crying out to resolve. They spend all their time sitting in little cliques, convincing themselves that their narrow viewpoints are correct, churning out outdated slogans (British oppression my arse - who’s paying your benefits?) and conveniently ignoring the ‘other’ culture.

Let’s face it, Northern Ireland - illegal Orange statelet or not - is not immune from 21st Century social problems. Disenfranchised youths, for example, are everywhere. On the mainland, they’re chavs. Over here, they’re spides and millies. They are not the unique by-product of disadvantaged Unionist areas, Dr. Paisley!

I don’t think a United Ireland is some kind of silver bullet solution. It won’t stop teenage pregnancies, stem the suicide rate or stop the joyriding problem. It certainly won’t ‘cure’ sectarianism.

So, which is the more pressing issue? Hooking up with the Republic and filling our wallets with Euros, or dropping the agenda and starting to tackle social problems and sectarianism?

Friday, April 21st, 2006 // Northern Ireland: Politics

I’ll make this short.

I’m tired of hearing about Republican ’struggle’ and British oppression and occupation. I can honestly say that not once in my life have I felt oppressed or discriminated against on the grounds of my religious background. I have not been held back from getting gainful employment, nor buying a house, nor living to a relatively decent standard.

While I have little knowledge of the background to the Easter Rising, and subsequent events in Ireland, I am coming to the conclusion that certain parts of our history on this island were inevitable. This is courtesy of Mr Joe Cahill, whose biography I am reading at the moment. It really is food for thought as to how we might have reacted in the same circumstances.

However, we are not in the same circumstances. Northern Ireland has changed. Nobody here is an ‘oppressed people’, except for the daft prejudices that rattle around inside their heads.

This post is in response to Mr Gaskin’s Official Easter Address To The People. I have nothing against the celebrating of the Easter Rising, but don’t bang on about the injustice that is British rule. Especially not when trying to espouse Liberty and Justice for all where all of the children of the Nation, when Sinn Fein (Mr Gaskin is a proud member) have shown absolutely no interest in the welfare or rights of the Protestant/Unionist/Loyalist population here. That just stinks of hypocrisy.

All this talk of comrades and struggles reminds me of that Give My Head Peace episode where an old Republican who’s been hiding in an attic for years comes down thinking the Republicans are still fighting.

Ah, who cares? The only Easter Rising I was interested in last Sunday was the one I woke up with…

Wednesday, April 19th, 2006 // Northern Ireland: Politics

Did you not know? Not content with bringing peace to these Emerald Shores, the venerable Gerry Adams has been applying pressure on other terrorist groups to come in from the struggle, wipe their feet and get involved in politics.

According to the Sinn Fein website:

“Sinn Fein has been in dialogue with all of the Basque political parties and in particular Batasuna. [Gerry has] also written to the Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero.

Sinn F�in’s objective has been to promote conflict resolution and to assist in whatever way we can the development of a peace process.”

It’s a bit like one of those annoying ex-smokers running around trying to get everyone else to stop smoking too, isn’t it?

As you would expect, Gerry lapses into a bit of Provie-speak that wouldn’t sound out of place in our own peace process. “The government needs to respond creatively and stop political policing trails, etc, etc.”

Part of me is sceptical about this, but another part is thinking “Fair play to Sinn Fein if they’re serious about the political path.” Let’s face it, after the Denis Donaldson business, the party could have faced an almighty backlash from supporters who felt they had been duped into accepting a political solution. I’m glad that didn’t happen.

Wednesday, March 22nd, 2006 // Northern Ireland: Politics