A friend’s remark the other day set me thinking. He said, “It’s a pity the DUP have not the courage to say publicly what many unionists on the ground are saying privately that the Windsor Framework offers all the people here a great opportunity –the best of both worlds –trade with GB and trade with the EU.”
I was thinking about this and wondering why Unionist leaders refuse to grasp this wonderful opportunity offered by the Windsor framework. The word ‘Lundy’ came into my head. Maybe, I thought, it is the fear of being labelled ‘Lundies’ that prevents the DUP from accepting the Protocol and joining the Executive in Stormont which also means accepting the position of Deputy First Minister.
The word ‘Lundy’ has serious connotations for unionists and members of the Orange and the Black Preceptory, the Masons and all the other secret societies that support the Union. ‘Lundy’ is surely the worst possible label that any unionist could be tagged with. The present unionist leaders fear being called ‘Lundies’ to the extent that they are paralysed from moving forward politically.
During his time as leader of the DUP, the late Ian Paisley often used the term ‘Lundy’ to describe many of his political opponents like Captain Terence O’ Neill and David Trimble. It worked for him for a while. We all saw the vicious assault on David Trimble and the shouts of ‘traitor’ after he signed the GFA.
In the context of the north calling a person ‘a traitor’, ‘a Judas’ or ‘a Lundy’ could place a unionist leader in a very dangerous place.
Even though the Scottish Presbyterian, Robert Lundy, lived in the 1680s and is regarded by loyalists as the traitor who sold out those loyal defenders during the Siege of Derry in 1689, he is still reviled by unionist hardliners and Orangemen to this day. An effigy of Mr Lundy is burned ever year at Orange celebrations. That is clearly a reminder of the fate of anyone who should attempt to compromise today.
This, it seems to me, is the predicament of the present DUP leadership. They fear that if they agree to accept the Protocol and the Windsor Framework and enter the Executive they will be considered ‘Lundies’ by some within the unionist community.
That seems to be the only explanation for their hesitation to join in the power-sharing Executive.
If they thought they could do this without being accused of being ‘Lundies’, I believe they would. It will take courageous and firm leadership to bring this about.
The right thing for the DUP to do is to look to the future and recognise the benefits for all of having the best of both worlds in this part of Ireland. This approach would greatly benefit the local population, above all the younger generation, who are tired of the negative attitude of the DUP. When will the DUP have the courage to face down the ‘nay-sayers’ within unionism and loyalism? When they do, they will be helping to create a brighter future for all the citizens in the northeast of Ireland
You’re offering the DUP political advice on how to keep NEI in the UK? No thanks. Let them keep “governing” as they are.
The only future is for unionism is to consume itself from the inside leaving an empty hollow shell – a whited sepulchre. Our best approach is to stand aloof and offer no assistance. They are determined to preside over their own destruction. Let them at it.
I agree with jpm and Nosuchanaplace, let the DUP continue to mess up their beloved union, save us the bother.
The problem that will arise from the DUP’s lack of leadership and vision is the 6 counties will always be a basket case economically and socially compared to the other 26. It’s going to take a couple of generations to undo the damage they’re doing. So many young people from the unionist community are in Dublin or London fulfilling their dreams, that’s a brain drain we don’t need. Instead of the DUP addressing the talented, progressive and educated young peoples concerns they are being led by a very small minority that offer nothing but fear and negativity.The ROI will be very busy over the 12th as so many from every faith and none will abandon this place for at least a few days; are they blind to that? Plus their buddies in the Tory party are finished with them. All their own doing. One positive is the Nolan show is now being challenged.