Talk of unity misplaced
TALK of unity is misplaced, according to Alliance justice spokesperson Stephen Farry MLA.
Parties are free form whatever alliances they wish, but recent talk of unity, whether it is Unionist electoral unity or a renewed focus on a united Ireland, are distractions to the real issues facing Northern Ireland, including how we build a shared society, modernise our economy, and protect our public services particularly from steep budget cuts.
Any renewed unionist alliance or realignment for Westminster or future elections would significantly devalue the content of local politics.
Elections here are already little more than sectarian headcounts. Any pact would further entrench this mentality and frustrate the emergence of more pluralistic politics.
With the maintenance of the Union clearly not in question, any pact would simply serve to reinforce the group identities, but had been slowly unraveling, at the expense of the individual. What matters more is the solidarity of that group at the expense of the perceived 'other side'. Electoral dynamics are based around fear rather than hope.
As a liberal party, Alliance challenges the notion that every Protestant must be a Unionist and that every Catholic must be a Nationalist.
Electoral competition can bring choice, accountability, and allow change. By contrast, monolithic politics places disproportionate power in hands of the selectorate, encourages complacency and conservativism, and reduces the policy content of political debate in favour of the lowest common denominator of intra-communal agreement.
An alliance running from the UUP to the TUV has even been suggested by some. This ignores the significant differences between a DUP struggling to move forward, a UUP trying to hold them back, and a reactionary TUV wanting to turn back the clock.
In the context of a working devolved Assembly, and renewed opportunities, electoral pacts smack of defensiveness.
Northern Ireland's constitutional status is subject to the Principle of Consent. There is no looming prospect of change. So the precise balance of Westminster seats won by unionist, nationalists or even the Alliance Party will not make one iota of difference to the constitutional position. Similarly, whether the First Minister is a unionist or nationalist is immaterial.
The renewed focus on a united Ireland by both Sinn Fein and the SDLP under new leadership is similarly a distraction from the main job in hand of making this society work.
The Belfast Agreement allows a range of relationships to evolve, none of which are mutually exclusive. Northern Ireland can remain part of the UK and retain the financial benefits that flow from that relationship.
We can also be part of a wider all-island identity taking up new economic opportunities for example in tourism and the green economy, and considered as a region within the context of the wider European Union.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
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