Letter: A few hurdles need to be overcome before a unionist coalition can be established
A letter from Tom Ferguson:
I read David McNarry's letter (Unionism needs to resolve its differences, August 19) with interest, and agree with much of what he said.
However, there are a few points that should be recognised before a unionist coalition can be established.
It is a given that all unionist parties want the maintenance of the British Union, and the removal of the Irish Sea border, which is steadily detaching Ulster from the rest of the UK.
However after that there are fundamental differences in the end game and the strategies to attain it.
The strategy of the UUP and DUP is to implement the protocol under protest. Protest plenty (especially coming up to election time), but operate the protocol nevertheless, as they feel there is no other option, rather like the collaborationist strategy adopted by the Vichy Regime in France during WW2.
The strategy of the TUV is more akin to that taken by De Gaulle's Free French, namely, non- co-operation and outright resistance.
I am not suggesting that a common unionist front is not achievable, but the differences between the UUP and DUP on one hand, and the TUV are not superficial, but fundamental as far as opposition to the Irish Sea border is concerned.
What strategy is a suggested united unionist coalition to take, Vichy or Free French?
Then there is the Stormont setup itself. Again, there are fundamental differences between the UUP/DUP who are prepared to operate in government with IRA/Sinn Fein, and the TUV, who aren't. The Vichy versus Free French scenario again.
Is it possible to achieve a common platform in this? Indeed is the present Stormont regime worth saving?
If we must share power with republicans, is it possible to do this at arm’s length? Somewhat like having separate rooms in a house, instead of trying to operate the current dysfunctional political forced marriage? Or perhaps a hybrid system where a Privy Council of NI MPs make the governmental decisions for NI and Stormont is something akin to a Greater London Council?
Such differences could and should be aired at a 'Unionist Convention', as Mr McNarry suggests, and I fully support his call for the establishment of such a body, and wish him every success in his efforts in that field.
Tom Ferguson, Ballymoney