Stormont and its games

By AM Wednesday, October 9, 2013

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Guest writer Maitiu Connel with his take on the relationship between republicanism and the PUL community.

For many years now, I have studied Irish Republicanism and have met many Republicans with different views on their ideology and from their own words, they do wish to bring the Protestant community into a United Ireland and to live in peace. I have debated with many Unionist friends on how they would feel about a united Ireland and how they feel in regards to Sinn Fein trying to extend a hand towards the Unionist community. A few have commented that they would not mind an independent Northern Ireland, if it brought real peace for once and all. Though how could it? As long as one section fight for a British free Ireland, another side will fight to maintain our connection to Britain.

Perhaps as the world continues with globalisation, we will all end up being sucked into a European state. Over the past few years, I have listened to Gerry Adams give lip service to the Unionist community about moving forward and bringing us in to the Ireland of equals. I as many others feel these are just empty words. Perhaps only a cheap sound bite to give him applause as a “ peace “ maker. For any steps made forward by Sinn Fein. Castlederg's Republican show certainly cast the message into the moderate Unionist community, that they really have not gone away. Just as the recent major UVF parades will have hampered any Unionist reach out to the Catholic community. I have always been an avid supporter of the late David Ervine and his loss was a huge set back for the PUL people. I had met David Ervine on several occasions and I was always intrigued by his non sectarian outlook. He is what the PUL community need at this exact time.

Irish Republicanism at it's very root was non sectarian. Protestant, Catholic and dissenter. Despite these words of unity, every single bullet fired and bomb set of by the IRA and INLA made sure the final nails of unity were buried deep in the coffin of bringing in the Protestant community. Just as every day of misrule from a Protestant government for Protestant people alienated and gave fuel to the Republican conflict and for hundreds of young men and women to join the IRA.

During this year, we have witnessed several large parades in relation to the formation of the UVF and remembrance of the 36th Ulster Division whom were massacred at the Somme and other leading battles across the trenches of the Great World War. These were young men who volunteered to go and fight. Men and many boys, from every street across Belfast, East Antrim, North Down, mid Ulster and beyond were gunned down in no man's land. I have family who fought in that world wars and I am proud of their bravery. They laid the way for freedom from Nazi rule and I believe that should be remembered. How would that be remembered in a united Ireland? This is a great fear amongst the Unionist community. Like many here, I am half Scottish and half Irish. I certainly enjoy both aspects to my identity. In Republican words, I have been called nothing but a planter and told my Grandmother should have stayed out of Ireland. Yet these same people flocked to Glasgow to follow a Scottish team each week. Also ignoring the many Scottish IRA members. How do such comments bring my community in and make us feel at ease? Though I recognise these are a minority with views like that.

A few of my friends during our debate asked “exactly why would we want a united Ireland?”, “Are things not ok as they are now?” And “I am happy just being part of the UK”.

Sinn Fein are now part of the UK ruling in the 6 counties. I really do not feel that SF will ever deliver a united Ireland and are no threat to Unionism at all. They seem very content with maintaining the sectarian division. They have and continue to get rich from it. The PUL has no real leadership. The flag protests are evident of such. A minority may protest on the street but thousands are scratching their heads wondering why the so called leaders are doing nothing. It is as if the Unionist community is as usual, leading people up the path for their own agenda. I am not sure where we can go from here. A return to conflict is not an option and our politicians are failing us on every level on both sides. The truth is, the PUL community just do not want to break with the UK and Sinn Fein have completely sold Republicanism down the river for a handsome pay check. Are we going to go round in circles again and end up right back in 69?

Republicans seem to have a belief that the UDR, Army and RUC were to an extent an extension of loyalism during the conflict. Yes many young protestant men and woman joined these organisations as a legal alternative to the paramilitaries but for us having grown up in a loyalist areas, the truth is the opposite. The RUC were hated. I had a few friends who's houses were raided non stop by the RUC. They ruined furniture, toys and anything of value. RUC members living in loyalist areas were a target. This is one of the many reasons why the UVF and UDA were seen as defenders of the area.

The Army and RUC were not there to defend their areas from Republican attacks. So local men took it on themselves to do so. Many walked away from the UDA once the UFF formed and started killing Catholics. Loyalists were sent to prison by the very British system they believed they were fighting to defend. Egged on by Paisleys words and then once arrested and sent to the Maze they were then dropped like a hat by the DUP.

Loyalists were walked under the road from the Crumlin Road jail to face a Diplock court. Certainly Loyalist volunteers believed the British system was just as much against them.

At the moment there is a huge sense of resentment in the PUL community. The parades commission stating were they can and can not walk. The same British courts sending them to court and prison for protesting to defend their British identity. Despite having broke laws, they genuinely do not believe they are breaking any laws but only standing up for their British rights.

The world has changed and continues to change and I feel the PUL community is being left behind. They are also being exploited by the DUP. Tensions are very tense and I honestly believe it could spill over into a life being lost. Last December on the Newtownards Road the PSNI came in very heavy handed, knocking several pensioners to the ground. Setting dogs on by standers, water canon set against young mothers pushing a pram. These scenes were not shown by the media. In the backdrop of this the Unionist leaders keep spreading whispers on the ground that the Catholic community is getting everything. They are getting all the investments whilst loyalist areas are left in poverty. A rather facetious claim considering Catholic areas such as West Belfast are amongst the most poor areas in the UK. Though in times of anger, the truth seems to not matter.

Each day passes and tensions worsen on both sides and as usual, Stormont does nothing to help. Protestant kids are leaving school with the lowest GCSE grades and the highest drop out rates. Terrible unemployment levels in both communities. Truth is, we are all losers in the games Stormont plays. Until the DUP and SF can work together to better all communities, I do not see Protestants accepting Republicanism at all and nor the same for Catholics accepting a hand of friendship from Unionism.