Do not water down celebration of 100 years in the Union to appease republicans

He was absolutely right in saying that it is an “obvious” cause for celebration and I would urge the community to start planning and thinking of ways that we can all celebrate the centenary of Northern Ireland.

The Prime Minister was right in saying that it was “the most successful political partnership in the world” and being a strong part of the United Kingdom has served us well constitutionally and economically for these 100 years.

When we think of our liberty, freedom and progressiveness as a nation we have much to be proud of how our country has developed in every way over the 100 years, and we thank our forefathers for their leadership since the formation of Northern Ireland.

I also think of the bloody and wicked murder campaign carried out by Republicans over many years to try and force us into a United Ireland, and sadly many of our loved ones lost their lives because of the hatred and bigotry of Republicans, because we were solid Unionists who believed in Northern Ireland and our Union with the rest of the United Kingdom.

I trust that such celebrations will not be watered down to appease Republicans, because any such attempts will be an insult to those who lost their lives in the past 40 years of republican terror.

Let’s get out there and start planning in your community how best to celebrate this wonderful country whether you are a Catholic or Protestant.

Just think of how even recently during the Covid pandemic how our Union with the rest of the UK has delivered for business and the community, no matter of your religion, and be proud of the country you live in and promote it, for the good of us all, for many, many years to come.

Councillor Paul Berry (Independent), Laurelvale, Armagh