Garrett Ciaran Jackson on "Cameron's unionist problem"

Garrett Ciaran Jackson — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 04:28:26 +0000

As devolution of the United Kingdom continues, Ulster has some difficult decisions to face, either it accepts a diminishing status quo with Westminster or it opens up more dialogue and integration with The Republic of Ireland. There has been a substantial change over the last 25 years in the South, prosperity and modernization, while for the most part, the North has stood still. We have to look past the former conflict and disharmony, and look towards a new European Ireland, both North and South, fully integrated, cohesive and thriving.

It is time for the politics of the past to be set aside, and embrace a new beginning.

Abdul-Rahim on "Cameron's unionist problem"

Abdul-Rahim — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 11:51:19 +0000

What do you mean offset weakness in Scotland by playing to Northern Ireland, the UUP is far from ready to join with them and in fact both sides have made it clear that it would be a quite loose political union if anything. Besides, Scotland is a lot more constituencies than NI

Mike Small on "Cameron's unionist problem"

Mike Small — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 19:06:07 +0100

David Cameron may well be thinking ahead about Anglo-Scottish relations Tom, but I have to agree with Ian Jack (though on nothing else) when he writes in todays Gruniad: ' the Tory and the Lib Dem could lose their deposits.

Any plan to offset weakness in Scotland through a new relationship with the Ulster Unionists is also deeply troubled in Scotland as it will inevitably fall foul of efforts (begun under Labour) to tackle sectariainism in Scotland.

Cameron's unionist problem, Tom Griffin

Tom Griffin — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 14:07:37 +0100

Tom Griffin (London, OK):Most commentators may see it as a straight fight between Labour and the SNP, but that didn't stop David Cameron making his presence felt in the Glenrothes by-election yesterday:

"I think it is better for all of us to be in the United Kingdom. However, we won't solve it by frightening the Scots that they cannot make it on their own. I do not believe that. It won't win the argument. One of the first things I will do as Prime Minister is arrange to meet with the First Minister, whoever that may be, and work to further the benefits of the Union for people in Scotland."

Cameron has shown in recent months that he is determined that the Tories should be more than an English party. One aspect of this strategy has been to offset weakness in Scotland through a new relationship with the Ulster Unionists. There are signs that plan may be unravelling.

Frank Millar reported last week that Cameron remains committed to the idea:

However, some previous Conservative backers have confirmed their doubts in light of reports this week of talks between Sir Reg and Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV) leader Jim Allister about a possible unionist voting pact in next year's European election.

"The whole point was to move away from sectarian and tribal politics," one well-placed Conservative told The Irish Times yesterday.

"He certainly won't want to be seen working with anti-agreement unionists.

Alex Kane explained the thinking behind the UUP-TUV talks in the Newsletter:

Unsurprisingly, one of those areas was about the need to secure two out of the three Euro seats. There is a simple reality involved: if there are three or even four pro-Union candidates in the contest and if the supporters of each don't cast second, third and fourth preferences for the other pro-Union candidates, the chances of retaining two seats are greatly diminished.

That argument got short shrift from Liam Clarke:

The Tories are effectively being asked to participate in a transfer pact based openly on the rivalry between the unionist and nationalist communities. That is precisely what they thought they had avoided when, on the urging of David Trimble, they agreed the July article with Empey.

The concern is that it may not even stop at Europe. Some senior Ulster Unionists, like David Burnside, have suggested a voting pact with the DUP at Westminster too. The aim would be to take South Belfast off the SDLP and Fermanagh & South Tyrone from Sinn Féin, by fielding only one unionist candidate in each of these constituencies. This risks making any future Conservative government look hopelessly partisan.

Over at Three Thousand Versts, Chekov makes an eloquent plea for the Tory-UUP talks to come to fruition:

Read the statement which Empey and Cameron endorsed again. It is about taking Northern Ireland beyond communal politics, involving Northern Irish politicians in national issues, rejecting Ulster ‘nationalism’, forging a broad pan-Union, pro-Union coalition which encompasses the whole United Kingdom. It offers a blueprint for secular, constructive, modern unionism which can transcend traditional divisions and help edge the entire framework of Northern Ireland’s politics away from the constitutional issue. In short, it is the most exciting opportunity presented to civic minded unionists in a generation.

Why are we no longer hearing rhetoric which matches the ambition of the plan which the two leaders put forward?

The danger for Cameron is that rather than overcoming the sectarian divide, the Conservatives will be sucked into it.

open Democracy News Analysis - Cameron's unionist problem, Tom Griffin - Comments

Garrett Ciaran Jackson on "Cameron's unionist problem"

Abdul-Rahim on "Cameron's unionist problem"

Mike Small on "Cameron's unionist problem"

Cameron's unionist problem, Tom Griffin