History was made at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast on Saturday,
November 27 when the Ulster Unionist Council decided (albeit
by a relatively small majority!) to embark on a course that
propels Sinn Fein-I.R.A. into the government of Northern Ireland.
This quantum leap will be seen by the greater number of the
Unionist people in Northern Ireland as not only a surrender
to terrorism and a wilting under pressure from the Westminster
and Dublin governments, and the American administration, but
a reversal of the party policy of 'No Guns, No. Government'.
David Trimble, speaking after the fateful Ulster Unionist
Council decision, claimed that no other party in the United
Kingdom had such a democratic decion-making system. That may
be so, but it can be of little comfort to an electorate treated
with contempt. This may be "new politics", but it
bears little resemblance to the concept of democratic accountability.
We applaud the 349 delegates who voted for the Ulster
Unionist Party to remain true to its election pledges.
The Loyal Orange Institution often refers to the Biblical
injunction: "Let all things be done decently and in good
order". It was pleasing therefore to note that a prior
meeting of Orange delegates to the Ulster Unionist council
reiterated their belief in the principles of honesty and integrity
and the need to stay true to the solemn promises made to the
Ulster people. In doing so, they fully supported Grand Orange
Lodge of Ireland policies and, even more importantly, upheld
the basic tenets of Orangeism.
The voting figures at the Waterfront Hall meeting are a concern
for all those genuinely interested in the unity of the Ulster
Unionist Party, and wider unionism. Is a place in Government
for apologists of terrorism worth this deep division in Unionism?
We are reminded of a resolution from County Armagh Grand
Orange Lodge in 1921, congratulating Northern Ireland Premier
Sir James Craig on his strong stand for the Union in 1921.
The Co. Armagh Orangemen stated then that they could imagine
no concessions that could make members of Sinn Fein into loyal
citizens. The loyal brethren of Co. Armagh also made it clear
recently that Sinn Fein/I.R.A. could have no place in the
government of Northern Ireland without advance arms decommissioning,
and a meaningful sign of remorse and repentance for past terrorist
atrocities committed. Sadly, the Ulster Unionist Council has
elevated Sinn Fein/I.R.A. leaders to the status of government
ministers.
Let us be under no illusions about the "red-herring"
of February and the "threat to bring down the Assembly
Executive". The important principle at stake is that
those allied to a vicious, unrepentant terrorist organisation
are being admitted into government without decommissioning.
Of course, to be fair that was what was envisaged in the Belfast
Agreement, which this Institution has so strongly opposed.
No matter what February brings, democracy has been stood on
its head.
Martin McGuinness is now in charge of children's education,
while his Sinn Fein colleague Barbara Brown controls health
and public safety in the Province. What a travesty!
We are told that if Sinn Fein/I.R.A. do not decommission,
they will be revealed as people who do not keep their word.
Wouldn't it be horrific if we discovered that the I.R.A. not
only murdered, mutilated and destroyed property through genocide,
arson attacks and horrendous bombing campaigns, but were also
capable of being untruthful?
The Union has certainly not been strengthened by this
Ulster Unionist decision. However, we would assure all our
members and supporters that, just as the Orange Institution
was a bulwark for the Unionist people of Northern Ireland
this century, we will continue to defend our cherished principles
and position within the United Kingdom in the critical days
that lie ahead.
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