• Home
  • News & Current Affairs
  • Brexit
  • Politics
  • Podcasts
    • The Eamonn Mallie Podcast
    • Eamonn Mallie – Stream Of Consciousness
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Friday, September 22
  • About Eamonn Mallie
  • Published Books
  • Our Authors
  • Get In Touch
Facebook Twitter
Eamonn Mallie
  • Home
  • News & Current Affairs
  • Brexit
  • Politics
  • Podcasts
    • The Eamonn Mallie Podcast
    • Eamonn Mallie – Stream Of Consciousness
Eamonn Mallie
You are at:Home»News & Current Affairs»Opinion»Sinn Fein’s Mitchel McLaughlin warns Governments – ‘Political crisis’ is possible over “reckless behaviour of mainstream Unionist parties”
Opinion

Sinn Fein’s Mitchel McLaughlin warns Governments – ‘Political crisis’ is possible over “reckless behaviour of mainstream Unionist parties”

Mitchel McLaughlinBy Mitchel McLaughlinMarch 21, 2014Updated:March 21, 20141 Comment4 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Social share:

 

 

I was reflecting on the stalled Haass proposals and the stark warning he issued during evidence to the US Congressional subcommittee of foreign relations. Dr Haass told the hearing that without further progress, division and alienation would increase and the North would no longer be held up as an example of peace-building.

Equality and Parity of Esteem are key foundations of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA). These issues were specifically addressed in the agreement endorsed by Governments in Dublin, London and Washington and ratified in referenda by the people of Ireland (22 May 1998).

Post referendum analysis concluded that Nationalist/Republican voters were overwhelmingly in favour (93%), however Unionist voters were deeply divided with a much smaller majority (55%) voting in favour.

Despite the DUP subsequently agreeing the power-sharing institutions on 8th May 2007, mandated support for the Stormont Assembly has continued to decline within the Unionist community. Pundits have argued a decline in support of the GFA and its institutions. Others have opined that pro-agreement Unionist voters have difficulty identifying candidates to vote for.

Within the Assembly, five parties seek their mandates almost exclusively from the Unionist electorate but only NI21 could claim to give unambiguous support to the principles which underpin the GFA. NI21 was founded by two former prominent members of the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) who resigned in February 2013 over disagreement with an electoral pact between the UUP and the DUP.

Unionists have presently obstructed the implementation of the Haass proposals. The refusal to deal with the Past, Parades and Flags or honour earlier agreements such as the Long Kesh/Maze project presents an increasing threat to the sustainability of the Assembly.

Is that really what the Unionist community expect of their elected representatives in the DUP, UUP, UKIP and TUV?

For example, during the flags protests throughout most of last year, those Unionists politicians, despite strident rhetoric, were largely irrelevant or relegated to following the crowd. It certainly appeared that mainstream Unionist speak neither for the ‘Yes’ or the ‘No’ lobby when it comes to difficult options!

Nationalist opinion has also been affected of course, although not to the same extent and not for the same reasons. Unionist negativity is without doubt the factor most cited by Nationalists and Republicans who express frustration about lack of progress on key issues. Perhaps Richard Haass and Meghan O’Sullivan also share those concerns.

The decision of the DUP to accept power-sharing was reliant upon a clearly stated determination by London and Dublin to act jointly in response to failure to establish a fully functional and power-sharing Executive.

What now are the two Governments considering in the face of mounting evidence that the reckless behaviour of mainstream Unionist parties could precipitate a genuine and full scale political crisis?

In my opinion the Haass proposals on dealing with legacy issues were a compromise that offered the best hope for bringing closure to victims and families and of removing this divisive issue from the political agenda. Any doubts or misgivings should be set aside in pursuit of that priority which every party has claimed to support. Must we conclude about those who oppose Haass, that these professed claims are bogus?

There is now clearly a concerted effort by unionist parties to reverse the progress made since 1998 and to break binding agreements that were made as part of the peace process. But it is not only the Unionist parties, because the British Government have so far failed to back the proposals.

That should cause serious concern for everyone committed to the peace process; in particular the Irish Government.

 


Social share:
Dublin DUP London Meghan O'Sullivan Nationalist republican Richard Haass Unionist Washington
Previous ArticleThe art of being British and Irish at the same time – by Brian John Spencer
Next Article Is image of Northern Ireland’s peace process being tarnished internationally? Brendan McAllister sounds a warning bell
Mitchel McLaughlin

Related Posts

POLITICAL PURGATORY or POLITICAL HELL? – By Brian Rowan 

April 18, 2021

The dilemma facing Unionism on all fronts – By Dave Maley

February 5, 2021

A Referendum on Irish Unity – An Economic Imperative – By Gerry Carlile

October 20, 2020

1 Comment

  1. LennyD on March 21, 2014 9:00 pm

    How can we even think sf will truefully honour all the conditions of the Hass proposals when (as far as the general public is concerned), your party had a secret deal with Blair over the OTRs. You Micheal and your party has always called for openness and transparency but you seem to cherry pick when to endorse them. Furthermore, during the Smithwick inquiry there was special arrangements and conditions for the IRA men who took part in this heinous murder to give evidence. When all the conditions were met, re. Undisclosed Identity, they told a pack of lies. Ie . eye witnesses saw one of the police inspectors waving a white hanky and was subsequently killed in cold blood.
    So, Michael, in light of past experience how can we trust you and your party to be faithful and honest in future ?

    Reply

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Our Picks

How the killings of two men 25 years ago helped to break the deadlock in the Peace Talks resulting in the Good Friday Agreement – by Mark Durkan

March 4, 2023

Life in politics by Monica McWilliams seen through the lens of former Northern Ireland Assembly speaker Dr. John Alderdice

February 15, 2022

‘The Troubles were just there, part of our normal…’  – By Brian Rowan 

January 26, 2022

The Health System Needs Surgery – by Mark Sidebottom

November 19, 2021
Follow me on Twitter
Tweets by @EamonnMallie
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
About
About

Northern Ireland's home for Independent thought. News & Current Affairs from Northern Ireland. Opinions, The Arts, Sports & more.

We're social, connect with us:

Facebook Twitter
Popular Posts

How the killings of two men 25 years ago helped to break the deadlock in the Peace Talks resulting in the Good Friday Agreement – by Mark Durkan

March 4, 2023

Life in politics by Monica McWilliams seen through the lens of former Northern Ireland Assembly speaker Dr. John Alderdice

February 15, 2022

‘The Troubles were just there, part of our normal…’  – By Brian Rowan 

January 26, 2022
Recent Comments
  • Telkom University on Too late to bolt the OTR door – by Brian Rowan
  • Get free iPhone 14 Pro Max: https://www.ibnbookkeepingservices.com/uploads/go.php hs=53ea384796b3b5e969f3b86dbdb0fef0* on Life in politics by Monica McWilliams seen through the lens of former Northern Ireland Assembly speaker Dr. John Alderdice
  • Get free iPhone 14 Pro Max: http://www.lhci.com/upload/go.php hs=195216de0b4fbad2e456f0e91ec6c3c1* on Unionism’s blue print for the future – By Doug Beattie
Copyright ©Eamonn Mallie. Designed by Web Design Belfast.
  • Copyright

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.