The unionist community is getting older, shrinking, and needs to get serious about the future

(‘Jibber-jabber Johnson is no champion of Union’)

Persuadables are those from the ever-increasing group who would describe themselves as pro-Union but could be persuaded otherwise.

Alex has suggested Alliance voters might be in this category while there are others who, to their electoral regret, have described Alliance as no more than bed-fellows of Sinn Fein.

Lyle Cubitt’s comment (‘If not pro the Union you are against it’, July 22) confirms a traditionally-held unionist position of ‘you are either with us or you are against us’. Now that is what I call boxing yourself into an ever-decreasing corner.

A few months ago I listened to a lecture from retired Supreme Court Judge Jonathan Sumption whose views, interpretations, and decisions are shown to be very much on the conservative side.

It surprised me when he said that democracy is not rule by the majority, but is in fact achieved by ruling with consent of the minority.

I am of an age now where I can look back and say Unionism has not, and I’m saying it mildly, done this consent-of-the-minority stuff very well.

With a solid majority, confidence, and complete control for many years, Protestant unionism has played to and been played by its vested institutions.

Protestant Unionism had plenty of time to sort this out and – let us be honest this time – failed badly.

Statesmanship was drowned out, or backed down in the face of the loudest, angriest voices, or false saviours and promises.

As I get older I look and see the community that I come from (a unionist one) getting smaller, getting older, becoming even more inward and backward-looking – and worst of all now grasping at any false saviour.

Doing even more of the same things that have already failed, while expecting a different outcome, is an easy trap to fall into. It also, by the way, fits the definition of insanity.

I hope I have been harsh, although two borders – one at Newry and one at Larne port – and being firmly put in the naughty chair by Boris and England should be stark enough reminder.

Ms O’Neill sees a United Ireland in 10 years, which I strongly doubt she and her cohort can deliver.

For the Persuadabales however, when it comes to being swayed by a Claire Hannah, Colm Eastwood or Daniel McCrossan, it would be a very different story, given the right pragmatic conditions.

Henry McKeown, Ballymena

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