With a Tory DUP deal probably only days away, the actual views of the NI Tories of the (un) suitability of the DUP as partners in the Westminster Government are still available on the NI Tory website(see below).
Alan Dunlop Chair Northern Ireland Party Board tells us –
“it is a fact that the biggest threat to the Union is from the DUP and UUP. Their determination to keep NI politics locked into the politics of Orange and Green and to ensure that politics in NI continues to be alien to our fellow citizens in England, Scoltand and Wales gives the game away. “
Liberal Unionist commentators such as Newton Emerson, Kate Hoey and Jenny McCartney have rushed to defend the DUP from the British press as the DUP have been savaged for their dinosaurial attitudes to social policies. But it is arguable that if the British people understood the DUP’s reckless demands for the abolition of the Parades Commission, which would undoubtedly lead to major civil disturbances (or worse), the DUP would be (deservedly) taking an even more severe pasting.
So a big thank to the boul Alan Dunlop for telling it as it is – and we can only hope his beleaguered party leader, Ms May, back in London, will have second thoughts about the 10 DUP MPs (6 of whom belong to what many consider to be the deeply sectarian Orange Order) exerting any influence on the government of the modern, secular British state.
‘Liberal unionist commentators’ – sorry, but no such species exists!
Unionism like all ideologies has a spectrum of views – from the hardline to the more liberal.
“Unionism like all ideologies has a spectrum of views – from the hardline to the more liberal.”
The issue in question is the DUP version Sammy.
What we have had is a show of tribal loyalty from Newton et al – I think it fair to say it is more of a visceral reaction with their liberalism abandoned – rather than a considered analysis.
Kate Hoey a liberal? Last year photographed at a UKIP anti-EU conference with Henry Riley, the well known creationist. About as liberal as Sammy Wilson.
If someone from SF shared a platform with FG on a United Ireland agenda – would that make them a blueshirt?
Oh come on Sammy when it come s to Northern Ireland Kate Hoey is about as liberal as the TUV. She is a sh1t stirrer who cant help herself and even brought her fleg politics into how boxing is run here recently.
Well I may be wrong – as I don’t follow her every move but I see her as a Unionist who doesn’t not believe in ANY weakening of the union but liberal in sense of social policies and represents a diverse multi ethnic community. That puts her on the liberal wing of Unionism in my book.
I think the term ‘liberal unionist’ can be read 2 ways –
1. A liberal who happens to also be a Unionist.
2. My use of the terms – she is Unionist but is on the moderate end of that spectrum – in terms of social policy and would not defend the burning of Irish flags etc.
I am of course open to correction.
Sammy, is Unionism not imperialism disguised as “democracy” ?
Bridget, I think Unionism (Scottish, Norn Ironish, Welsh) is a legitimate ideology – just one I don’t share. Wales is arguably England’s oldest colony – and the Welsh for example are quite entitled to be Unionists as is Kate Hoey et al.
Sammy, I was referring to Ireland and in particular the north, where people for many years have fought for independence against and for the Union. I am unaware if Scotland or Wales have the same history. I think you know what I meant by my comment.
They also fought in Scotland and Wales – but many years also. Unionism is legitimate ideology in the North in my opinion and is now enshrined in the GFA..