The deep divisions that presently exist within the Unionist
community have become a source of great comfort and encouragement
to the pan-nationalist movement and they could, if not healed
soon, cause irreparable damage to Northern Ireland's position
within the Union.
Some Unionist politicians from the various parties do a great
dis-service to their community, and the cause they purport
to represent, by engaging in petty party political point-scoring
and activity which clearly widens the split and further advances
the position of republicans and nationalists.
The enormous political upheaval from the deeply flawed Belfast
Agreement has undoubtedly placed Unionism in a perilous state,
with the main players in the Unionist leadership moving in
opposing directions, leaving many in the pro-Union population
totally confused and very apprehensive about the future.
Unionist in-fighting and divisions have allowed the republican-nationalist
axis to make significant gains in the Stormont Assembly, particularly
in the Executive, where, tragically, due to the willingness
of some Unionists to sign up to the terms of the Belfast Agreement,
two Sinn Fein-I.R.A. members hold ministerial posts and nationalist
representation stands on a 50-50 ratio when it should only
be 40 per cent on the basis of electoral support.
With local government and Westminster elections coming up
over the next year, continuing Unionist divisions in the various
Northern Ireland constituencies may have disastrous electoral
consequences for unionism at large.
At present, there are seven parties vying for the Unionist
vote - on the nationalist-republican side two, and, obviously,
the odds would considerably favour the enemies of Northern
Ireland if this untenable position was sustained in a Province-wide
election.
As Sir Edward Carson once said: "UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED
WE FALL".
The early release from prison of terrorists convicted of
the most heinous crimes has caused great pain and anguish
to the mass of decent law-abiding people in this Province,
and the seemingly endless acts of Government appeasement of
the most disruptive elements in our society have unfortunately
led many to the conclusion that violence pays.
The disgraceful treatment meted out to the gallant R.U.C.,
by an administration unworthy of the title of "Her Mayesty's
Government" is but a symptom of what the loyal people
of Northern Ireland have had to endure from their political
masters at Westminster.
The recent outbreaks of inter-communal violence in the Shankill
area of Belfast is of deep concern to all who stand up honourably
for the Ulster Protestant cause. The Shankill has long been
a great bastion of Unionist loyalty and steadfastness for
more than a century and what a tragedy it is to see Protestants
shooting Protestants, neighbour pitched against neighbour,
brother fighting brother.
No cause can prosper through the murderous un-Godly activity
of the kind witnessed in recent days and we would earnestly
appeal to those with influence to use their best offices to
help bring the conflict to an end. Sanity must prevail!
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