Re: Loyalism and the GFA

Date: 10th May '02

Name: john buckman

Country: ireland

Sean, first I dont think the republican movement underestimates the difficulties in winning unionists to the idea that a united Ireland would not be a "Cold House" for their tradition. At every stage SF representatives are attempting to reach out, first to those from that tradition that they represent on the various bodies, and secondly using positions within those bodies such as the two ministers to show that we are not only interested in our own traditional base. Our aim in doing this is to undercut traditional attitudes AND to undercut the political basis of loyalism. To this end SF has pushed the point that Britain dont want them but we do, we want them as a strong minority voice better 20% of a united Ireland than 2% of a Britain that doesnt want them any more. Of course all this will take time and huge bridge building exercises which SF as a radical party is capable of but people are increasingly understanding that one chapter is closing and cant be gone back to while another chapter lies ahead which they have to be a part of in one form or another.
On the broader point I think it is useful to separate out what you mean when you talk about loyalism and unionism as they are not the same, much like judaism and zionism etc etc. Not all from the unionist tradition are died in the wool loyalists. As for the fringe of loyalism not taking it lying down I doubt it, they too are being forced to engage and I doubt there are many Eugene Terre Blanche types and if there are they will probably amount to about the same as he did.
Anyway what is the alternative? Will it bring people to us quicker?

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