No matter, the article by Chris McGimpsey yesterday in The Observer is significant, much more so than the recent brouhaha about the Orange Order’s place in the grand scheme of things.
I respect McGimpsey’s views and I think (although the UUP hierarchy would probably disagree) its healthy that the opposition to the merger is being brought out into the open, making for a fuller debate on the real core issues behind the proposed merger/link-up between the Tories and his own party.
But this, sadly for McGimpsey, is no longer true:
The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) is much more than a political party. It can be more accurately described as a movement. It is a coalition of Conservative, Liberal and Labour interests who defend and promote the strategic interests of maintaining and strengthening the Union.
Admitedly I’m speaking as an outsider, but it seems to me that those liberal and conservative interests now predominate within the party. And those interests could quite easily be accomodated within Cameron’s new brand of Toryism. Working-class Unionism exists as a large constituency, but with a few notable exceptions, it is no longer being represented by the UUP on the ground. The DUP and, to a much lesser extent, the PUP are now the voice of w/c Unionism, at least that section of it which still votes.
Mc Gimpsey and those socialists which he says still exist within the UUP should now be looking towards and putting pressure on the British Labour party to properly organise and put up candidates in NI. The Labour party, like the Tories, has changed out of all recognition over the last two decades and pro United-Ireland fanatics like Claire Short are now very much a minority; the vast majority of Labour elected representatives would today define themselves as UK Unionists. Chris McGimpsey still has much to offer NI politics and his biggest potential achievement for both his causes would be the combining of Unionism and socialism in such a manner that our politics eventually become as that enjoyed in the rest of the United Kingdom.
11 comments:
Like you O'Neill, I respect McGimpsey's opinions, whilst disagreeing with them. God only knows what business Poots has 'welcoming' McGimpsey's comments, as if they were addressed to him! I dissent from the view that Labour and 'social justice' are hand in glove. Although tbh, UUP voters are not in general socialists in any meaningful sense. Nor do they come from the Shankill Road.
Although tbh, UUP voters are not in general socialists in any meaningful sense. Nor do they come from the Shankill Road.
Which makes me see this article as a kind of an indirect resignation letter. A bit more of principled and reasoned approach than the likes of McNarry have adopted.
What position has McNarry adopted?
I'd say that silliness about the OO laid aside, McNarry is as natural a Tory as you'll find.
I agree Chekov, as McNarry said himself he sat in the old Conservative & Unionist alliance.
Unfortunately for the UUP McNarry's 'silliness' about the OO is what the UUP press office should have said at the start. The press office reacted in a manner the DUP relished.
The UUP press office were justified entirely in the disdain showed toward Poots' non-story. Being seen to jump because a pathetic internet spat from months before is dredged up is not the business of a serious political party. A personal opinion, which members of a party are entitled to, does not and did not require an apology.
I agree that Poot's ran a non-story. For me the UUP press office reaction exacerbated the problem and made it into a story the DUP wanted from the outset. McNarry, whether you agree with his approach or not, responded to a piece about himself and dealt with it.
All the UUP had to do was:
1. We condemn the comments the DUP have from the NI Conservative website.
2. We will investigate the matter.
3. Not representative of the UUP.
Put the blame on the NI Conservatives. It was their member. It was their website.
Press office read the situation wrong from the beginning and began a series of tit for tat nonsense with the DUP whose own press office fell about laughing.
The DUP seem to be quite keen about criticising the UUP for this merger however this seems to show in my view the DUP being a bit scared of the prospects that this merger could have.Also if Poots was a half decent DCAL minister then people might be interested in his viewpoint.Unfortunately for him he was widely regarded as the Executive 2nd worst minister.
A toss-up between him and Ruane, not much in it.
Anyway, Peter, when are the belfast Young Unionists going to get their blog up and running again??!!
Good question oneill hopefully it should be up and running in the next couple of weeks.Unfortunately my laptop has been down over the Summer so I have not had the chance to comment on a few important issues such as the Tory link up.However myself and the chairman will keep you posted when we get it going again.
Be sure to let me know and I'll give you a bit of publicity on here.
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