Ulster Unionist Councillor in SF reality check

An Ulster Unionist Councillor has labelled this weekend’s remarks on a united Ireland strategy as “pie in the sky and lacking in any logical evidence”. Following remarks made by the Sinn Fein President, Gerry Adams TD, Cllr Mark McKinty from Larne stated “Sinn Fein need to come into the real world and realise that their aspirations make no political or economic sense”.

Speaking in Cork, Gerry Adams offered a 7-point plan with key strategic goals aimed at securing a United Ireland. “This weekend’s Easter Rising celebrations have once again focussed on the issue of Northern Ireland’s constitutional position” said Cllr McKinty. “I am keen to address this debate, to challenge these claims, and offer a credible alternative to the SF position, one which will command an overwhelming majority of the people living, working and building a shared future in Northern Ireland.

Cllr McKinty: "Northern Ireland has the capacity to deliver a shared future for everyone regardless of religion, political affiliation, colour, gender, age, sexuality or nationality."

●   To popularise re-unification as viable, achievable and in the best interests of all and to build consensus for this;

“Whilst I respects the rights of Nationalists and Republicans to campaign for a United Ireland by consent, I unashamedly believe that remaining within the UK is in the best interests of everyone in Northern Ireland. Thus far, no practical blueprint has been put forward by Sinn Fein addressing the many social, economic and cultural issues which make Northern Ireland so different to the Republic of Ireland” he said. “To this end, I would question to what extent SF understands the complexities surrounding such aspirations, and furthermore question how, in the absence of such a blueprint, they can conclude that it is not only a viable alternative, but in the best interests of all. For over 30 years Sinn Fein has contested elections in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland on a platform for reunification and each and every time the electorate has democratically and resoundingly rejected that aspirational policy.”

●   To encourage all non-unionist political parties and sections of civic society to become persuaders and actors for reunification;

“Since the 1998 Belfast Agreement, the Irish Government and British Government have remained strong advocates of the political institutions established in Northern Ireland. The amendment of Articles 2 & 3 of the Irish Constitution further highlights the support of Irish citizens that Northern Ireland is best placed to look after its own affairs within the framework of the United Kingdom. All political parties in Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and in Great Britain are free to unilaterally formulate their own policy positions on Northern Ireland. It is clear; the only party in any jurisdiction seeking a change in Northern Ireland’s position is the Sinn Fein party.” He continued: ”I fail to see how any significant portion of political opinion or civic society could ever blindly become persuaders and actors for reunification without a fully costed blueprint addressing the complexities of reunification”.

●   To convince a section of unionist opinion that their identity, self-interest and quality of life will be best served, secured and guaranteed in a united Ireland;

Continuing his challenge of the 7-point plan, the Larne Ulster Unionist Councillor continued: “I am ambitious for all the people of Northern Ireland. Throughout its long history, my Party has endeavoured to reach out beyond our traditional support base wherever and whenever the circumstances allowed, and I maintain this example. However, the strong roots which knit together the patchwork of opinion within Unionism enjoy a particular cultural identity which I believe Sinn Fein consistently fails to understand, respect or is willing to protect. Sinn Fein only wishes to convince a "section of Unionist opinion" clearly demonstrates they only want percentage points and do not have any interest in representing all shades of opinion in Northern Ireland. The economic and social standard of living in Northern Ireland is significantly higher than presently enjoyed in the Republic of Ireland. Northern Ireland is afforded the wider protection of the United Kingdom economy, in which all citizens can thrive. Furthermore, through the framework of the UK, Northern Ireland is afforded a voice on an international stage in terms of economic policy, peace and conflict resolution, and tourism, to name but a few examples.“

“Sinn Fein offers Unionism no blueprint or framework by which Unionists can measure these claims that our self-interest and quality of life will be best served, secured and guaranteed in a united Ireland. In actual fact, the Republic of Ireland cannot afford these guarantees to its exiting citizens let alone an additional 1.7 million people.When Sinn Fein cannot even bring themselves to respect the National Parliament of the United Kingdom by taking their elected seats and representing their constituents, of whatever make-up, while at the same time claiming expenses, it demonstrates to Unionists a lack of respect, understanding and sincerity on their part.”

●   To challenge those who would seek to maintain the status quo;

Engaging in this debate, Cllr McKinty replied: “Once again I would question Sinn Fein’s total understanding and commitment to a united Ireland when after almost 15 years of supporting Northern Ireland’s institutions, the party have still yet to publish any definitive and realistic blueprint as to how a transition would work, and how ultimately such a transition would be funded. In order to challenge those who would seek to maintain the status quo, recent findings would suggest not only does Sinn Fein have to convince Unionist voters, but also a growing and more sophisticated population often referred to as ‘Status Quo Catholics’ or ‘Pro-union Catholics’. Northern Ireland has the capacity to deliver a shared future for everyone regardless of religion, political affiliation, colour, gender, age, sexuality or nationality, and this is the Northern Ireland which I want to see prosper and excel”.

●   To ensure the Irish Government act on the constitutional imperative of reunification;

“As an elected representativ, I will continue to work closely with the Irish Government and opposition parties in the Republic of Ireland to ensure the interests of Northern Ireland are kept firmly on the political agenda. I do not believe it is the wish of the Irish Government to change the constitutional position of Northern Ireland, or move away from the 1998 Belfast Agreement structures. An Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD on 27th March 2012 at an address in Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, stated he did not foresee a timescale for reunification and that he supported fully the position of Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom. He further stated that, under the Belfast Agreement's terms, “if the peoples North and South were to decide by a referendum on the one day as to whether to have an island entity, an all-island, all-Ireland entity or not, that the governments would abide by these decisions”. I do not believe such an aspiration exists within any section of society in Northern Ireland, or, indeed within the Republic of Ireland. On the ground, and outside the romantic Sinn Fein bubble of a road-map to unification, the majority of the Northern Irish population want to see Northern Ireland prosper within the UK, and continue to grow, as we have witnessed in recent years.”

●   To encourage the British Government to become persuaders for reunification;

Cllr McKinty continued: “I will continue to work closely with the British Government, opposition parties, and local and devolved government throughout the United Kingdom to reaffirm Northern Ireland’s integral position within the UK. Prime Minister David Cameron is one of a majority of MPs to have repeatedly declared their political allegiance to maintain the historic Union between Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England. While I accept and appreciate the unique identity within each home nation of the UK, the historical, cultural, social, economic and political ties bind us a Union which has succeeded in affording protection, prosperity and political stability which endures. Furthermore, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Owen Patterson MP, recently confirmed there are very few indications in favour of a referendum on Northern Ireland. I concur that forcing such a referendum would be the result of ideology, not statistical evidence.”

Cllr McKinty: "Northern Ireland ... an innovative place to do business, a safe place to live and raise a family, an exciting place to visit and enjoy, a great place to study, and a country which sees all sections of the community prosper together".

●   To build on international political and practical support for reunification drawing in particular on the support and influence of the diaspora.

“The importance of the Northern Ireland diaspora cannot be overstated” stated Cllr McKinty. “I am well aware and proud of the contribution made throughout the world by sons and daughters of Northern Ireland in the fields of sport, business, show business & music, arts & literature, politics and the military. Laying claim to past Presidents of the USA, footballing icons through to stars of stage and screen, I believe also the debate should be wide, inclusive and factual. While everyone’s input to the debate is to be encouraged and welcomed. Once again I ask, without any blueprint for reunification, how can those who ultimately decide, weigh up the debate so obsessed over by Sinn Fein? While acknowledging the importance of wider contribution to the debate, the only people who can decide Northern Ireland’s future as those living within it.”

Cllr McKinty concluded: “I will continue to argue the case for Northern Ireland as an innovative place to do business, a safe place to live and raise a family, an exciting place to visit and enjoy, a great place to study, and a country which sees all sections of the community prosper together. The Sinn Fein aspiration of a United Ireland may seem romantic, idealistic and desirable to some, but without a blueprint and facts, it remains an ill-thought out manoeuvre jeopardising the economic, social and political success Northern Ireland has enjoyed in recent years, and look forward to welcoming SF back into the real world.“

ENDS