Adams: we need new approach to woo unionists to united Ireland

Addressing a Sinn Fein conference on the constitutional question in Belfast, the party president predicted a successful vote to end partition could come within a “few short years”.

However, he said that outcome would only be achieved if unionist opposition was “unlocked”.

As discussions between the DUP and Sinn Fein continued at Stormont ahead of next week’s deadline to restore a powersharing executive, Mr Adams said recent election results – in which both parties made gains – demonstrated that a “deep political schism” remained on the issue of unification.

He said republicans needed to advance more than just an economic case to end partition.

“We need a new approach, one which unlocks unionist opposition to a new Ireland by reminding them of their historic place here and of the positive contribution they have made to society on this island,” Mr Adams said.

“Instead of concentrating on the negative aspects of our four centuries of shared history I suggest that we embrace the areas of agreement and of co-operation; of good neighbourliness and the common good.

“A truly united Ireland will emerge from the reconciliation of the people of this island based on equality.”

Speakers at the event at Belfast’s Waterfront Hall included News Letter deputy editor Ben Lowry.

He said that it was almost impossible to live in Northern Ireland and shut out an awareness of our geographical position in Ireland.

But Mr Lowry said unionism was unfairly depicted as small minded: he wanted to be part of a nation of almost 70 million people rather than one of six million.

And he said that the violence of 1916 and then during the Troubles had helped make Protestants feel less Irish.

Triumphalism from both the DUP after its 2016 Assembly success and by Sinn Fein after the March results had driven people into the trenches, Mr Lowry said.

Mr Adams urged groups such as the Orange Order to engage with Sinn Fein, and called on republicans to reflect on the contribution Protestants had made in Ireland for centuries.

“The reality is that in the four hundred years of their presence on this island Protestants and especially northern Protestants, have been woven into the narrative that constitutes the history of Ireland,” he said.

“While that narrative has been at times a troubled one it has also been dynamic.”

He added: “So, we have a shared history – we will also have a shared future.

“Our task must be to ensure that it is a shared future which looks after every citizen, and in which everyone accepts the right of the other to be Irish or British – to be unionist or nationalist or republican.

“The Brexit referendum vote last year, the Assembly results in March, the Westminster election results this month and the census conclusions from 2011, are evidence of a shifting demographic and political dynamic in northern politics.

“Within a few short years the potential for a vote to end partition and unite Ireland is a very real possibility.”

He called for advocates of unification – both politicians and within society – to “consciously address the genuine fears and concerns of unionists in a meaningful way”.

“It also demands that we look at what unionists mean by their sense of Britishness and be willing to explore and to be open to new concepts,” he said.

“Hopefully as part of this process they too will be willing to explore what is meant by Irishness.”

He added: “In particular, we need to address the future role of the Orange, its place in an agreed Ireland.

“Of course, that is a challenge also for the Orange and I invite their leaders once again to meet with Sinn Fein.”