Unionists have been far too relaxed about taking lectures and letting others write the narrative

As a young unionist in Northern Ireland I cannot help but become increasingly concerned about the lack acknowledgment given to the unionist people on a number of issues.

I find myself becoming extremely frustrated at the inability of others to even listen to our concerns, and I’m sure you do too.

After Brexit, the nationalist community raised concerns that the UK leaving the EU would lead to a hard border on the Island of Ireland, these concerns were justified, and of course in the spirt of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA) the British government and the unionist community acknowledged these concerns and took action. But, was this gesture of goodwill reciprocated to the unionist community? No.

Instead when unionists raised concerns about the protocol, our neighbours in Sinn Fein, SDLP and Alliance called for rigorous implementation of the very policies we the unionist community found deeply concerning.

When unionist political parties highlighted the anger of the unionist people we were told by SF/SDLP/Alliance that they can’t recall anyone that they spoke too that cared about the protocol, well I can’t recall SF/SDLP or Alliance coming to my door!

However, the straw that broke the camel’s back for me has been the recent actions of US Democrat Richard Neal who labelled the protocol as an ‘manufactured’ issue which was an outrageous thing to do.

Furthermore, for Richard Neal to state that the US owns the GFA as well, but to dismiss David Trimble’s comments, shows that he has very little time for unionism. But, it comes as no shock to me, after all Neal is a man who calls Gerry Adams a ‘lifelong friend’, and attends memorials for IRA 1981 hunger strikes.

Since Richard Neal has an interest in in the ‘Gael and Planter’ why doesn’t he join the planters to mark the centennial of Northern Ireland This Saturday?

To completely write off the concerns of unionism shows the lack of knowledge of the situation here in Northern Ireland, and for the Irish government the SDLP and Alliance to let him away with this should raise major alarm bells. In the past, I have always seen these groups being reasonable, but that has now changed, I have lost all trust I had in them to listen to me as a unionist.

Unionism needs to stop allowing the constant snubbing of our concerns and people. We have been far too relaxed with taking lectures and allowing others to write the narrative.

We must become much better at presenting unionism and articulating our history, culture and ensure that the story as unionism is told by unionists, the same way republicans manage to get on to every stage to present their story.

And for Richard Neal, it is unionists as well that the GFA applies too. But if he actually read it, he would have found that out himself.

James Reid, Age 22, Rathfriland

• Other comment articles:

• Stephen White May 27: On 100th anniversary of policing in NI, there is an effort to blacken name of RUC

• Editorial May 27: Financial support plan that shows why NI is fortunate to be in UK

• Jim Allister May 26: It is deluded to think red and green lanes will neuter the protocol

• Samuel Morrison May 26: The idea that ‘Planters’ don’t belong here was a pretext for murder

• Editorial May 26: Least unionists can do is show contempt for Congressman Neal’s pro-Irish bias

• Jeffrey Donaldson May 25: The UN condemns colonies, yet Northern Ireland has become one

• Brian John Spencer May 25: Thank goodness for those voices who challenge the anti British imbalance in Ireland

• Editorial May 25: Unionists should make clear that they have a distinct stance on legacy of terror

• Jeff Dudgeon May 24: Anglican church won’t call Cork massacre of Protestants sectarian