Nationalism seems to take a hypocritical position on independence

Unionism has come in for criticism from nationalism because of its support for the UK’s exit from the EU and the economic consequences which follow for Northern Ireland.

Not only is this a non sequitur, it is also a hypocritical position to take. Do Sinn Fein and the SDLP need a reminder about their support for the job destroying lockdowns currently in place? Do republicans need reminding about the damage done to the local economy by their sustained campaign of terror?

Nationalism has little difficulty understanding the purpose of the 1919-21 War of Independence yet ‘Brexit’ remains a mystery to them. To put it as plainly as possible, both were acts of expression for national self-determinism and both were major political events which have consequences.

If nationalism was not accountable for the economic, social and constitutional consequences of the 1921 treaty, then it is illogical to apportion blame at the feet of unionism for the Withdrawal Agreement.

Unlike the war of independence, however, ‘Brexit’ was achieved through peaceful democratic means, whatever it may mean for Northern Ireland.

Adrian Lonergan, Belfast BT7

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