"Our unionist way of life will not be put in some drawer in the back of an office." roared Robbo.
There is no such thing as a "unionist way of life"; unionism is a political philosophy not an ethnicity nor, indeed, a life-style choice; what he really meant was the Ulster-Scot protestant (with a small dash of "British" identity clipped on) "way of life".
But despite that rather large caveat, this "Unionist Academy" idea did interest me; until very recently Northern Irish Unionism didn’t do ideas, strategies, nor long-term mission statements beyond "Let’s keep it red, white and blue". We desperately need forums (be they real or virtual) where ideas and open debate within our movement can flourish (or even be permitted).
However, the fact that it was alternatively labeled a "DUP think-tank" and the fact that absolutely nothing has been heard since was, unfortunately, not that much of a surprise.
But lo and behold in a speech at the weekend, Robinson once again touched on the subject:
There is a need for a better knowledge within the unionist community about the principles and basics of unionism. It is for that reason that I announced the establishment of what we call a ‘Unionist Academy’. The idea behind this is that there an organisation would be put in place within the unionist community which would help to educate people about unionist issues and particularly to engage younger people within unionism.
There you go then, its very first mission statement. No real practical information regarding date of set-up, frame of discussion etc, but at least the idea is still there, bubbling away on the back-boiler.
However, once again, the DUP have delivered a plan heavy on the aggressive-defensive, light on thoughtful-progression. Even the terminology- you are delivered The Truth from your betters at an Academy; at a Think-Tank, in contrast, ideas are bounced around, amongst equals, with no pre-determined conclusion.
Ideas bouncing around, amongst equals, with no pre-determined conclusion, we’re moving into unchartered territory here I know, but given the correct circumstances Unionism could derive a huge advantage from such an institution.
But, first, those circumstances:
1.It should not be regional nor party-driven- there are Unionists spread all over the United Kingdom’s political spectrum; we need much more closer cooperation and cross-pollination of ideas throughout that political spectrum- the time for a Pan UK-Unionist Front has most definitely arrived.
2.Linked with 1) it should deal with ideas wider than the normal day to day parochial; e.g in Northern Ireland there will still remain enough foot-soldiers on the ground to ensure that the Orangemen retain their toilet facilities in Armagh, considering how we can best deal with the Barnett Formula is quite another and rather more important question for the future of the Union.
3.Funding. Full-time staff would be required to supplement the large number of amateurs presently flying the flag. In practical terms, a UK-wide organization will need funding from the UK-wide parties.
4.Positivism. It’s fun ripping apart the various nationalist arguments, but long-term it doesn’t drive the movement forward; new ideas re the economic, cultural, social development of the United Kingdom are needed.
5.Best utilisation of resources- eg an actual brick and cement building is not needed for such an “academy” or “think-tank” to operate, access to a PC will be quite sufficient.
6.Most important of all and linked to point 1)- a full and complete independence to deliver its views and options.
Is the DUP prepared to deliver on points 1) and 6)?
If so, then such a Think-tank will have my full support.
If not, then it’s back to Plan B I’m afraid...by the way, anybody out there got anymore news about Unionist Home?
5 comments:
Nice to see you have kindly handed such straight-forward and easily achieveable goals to the DUP ;).
"anybody out there got anymore news about Unionist Home?"
Brief contact between Chekov, ignited and I. I have a significant project underway in the next four weeks which is eating uo all my spare time but I will be in touch with them and others after that to get it progressing.
There is an appetite out for their for some non-party political brainstorming session with the emphasis on producing some original research into unionism. Anythings is worth a try.
FD,
Looking forward to it.
fd
Nice to see you have kindly handed such straight-forward and easily achieveable goals to the DUP ;).
Nothing wrong with asking;) Apart from the funding from Labour and the Tories, I think they're not that difficult to achieve, given the will and time(!)
Folks,
Regarding the "Unionist Home" idea. Id like to throw a question at youse if ye dont mind.
I enjoy reading this blog and other like minded blogs. And I understand from reading them, that there are quite a few like minded bloggers, who have decided that its time to counter the propaganda of those against the Union, to offer up reasons why the maintenance of the Union is a good thing.
My question is though, how you believe that "Unionist Home", a site for like minded Unionist bloggers, can further this goal.
The reason I ask is, one thing ive noticed from reading blogs, is that the content of a blog will attract 3 types of people in general.
1. Those that already agree with your point and need no convincing.
2. Those that will always disagree with your point and are there for the debate, but really arent for convincing
3. Those that visit the blog out of interest. They agree some times and disagree other times. ( I consider myself in this category )
In striving to achieve your goal of promoting the union, the people in category 1. and 2. above are not going to move you goal along any further, are they ? I suppose that knowing there are people in category 1. can be useful. Category 2 are lost causes. Regardless of the merits, they will argue against.
Category 3, are low in numbers, in general.
Surely what you need to do is capture the imagination of those in the middle ground. Those that tend not to read blogs, but do browse the web. Those that are there for convincing. Borderline views, who can see merit in both arguments.. etc, you know the people im talking about. These sort of people tend not to make an effort to go to someones blog to engage in a debate, and to tease out the merits of a point.
Is it not these people who will decide the faith of the Union at the end of the day.
How do ye propose to reach out to these people ? To engage them ?
I believe that you need to relate to them, to achieve an understanding with them, to show an acceptance of their points, to counter their arguments or misapprehensions if necessary, to reach out to them.
Im just not sure if all of this can be achieved from a blog where the audience is made up mostly of categories 1 and 2. If you know what I mean.
That said, it will be interesting to see what ye come up with.
As ive said, im just an interested passer by, not expressing my views either way on the merits of your goals. ( Yet! :) )
Kloot,
In striving to achieve your goal of promoting the union, the people in category 1. and 2. above are not going to move you goal along any further, are they ? I suppose that knowing there are people in category 1. can be useful. Category 2 are lost causes. Regardless of the merits, they will argue against.
Category 3, are low in numbers, in general.
This is what I was saying to Kensei the other week, debating with your opponents can clarify your own thoughts in your mind and perhaps tighten your debating skills but in terms of actual conversion? Next to nil. I disagree with you regarding the size of category 3) in electoral terms in NI they probably would outvote nationalism or unionism at the minute (30-35%). Whether they read political blogs is a completely different question I admit.
So, yes, looking to engage the middle ground is preferable, but very difficult, simply because as a rule they're lurkers (in the non-prejorative sense of the word!)and not participants in the debate.
The best that we can do is set out our argument in as logical, objective and positive a way as possible for these neutrals- to a large extent we are fighting an online PR battle as opposed to actually garnering more votes at the ballot box (although obviously that would be nice as well!).
I've no idea how a Unionist Home would work, its targets etc, but personally I'd hope that it could build up a kind of UK-wide, as opposed to just NI, collective fighting for the same goal although probably from different angles- and giving the punters of whatever political persuasion a daily good read.
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