Rather than condemn Secretary of State Theresa Villiers for agreeing to meet the newly created combined Unionist leadership as suggested by Danny Kinahan MLA of the Ulster Unionist party, NI Conservative spokesman Mark Brotherston urges Danny to re-visit NI Conservatives acknowledgement that it is often necessary in politics to engage in all sorts of talks with all sorts of people. ‘We commend her for her initiative and exercise of governance in talking to those who need to be heard but who also need to hear that their tactics and politics of withdrawal and implied threat within a graduated response are not the way forward. ‘
This is hardly constructive or postive politics and it is clear that the Secretary of State and the Chief Constable have been encouraging leaders who speak for unionism to embrace and ensure a constructive and lawful approach.
Surely, those leaders will learn from the weekend that it is better to engage in politics within the law and in questioning previous actions which have led to violence and the waste of scarce financial resources will now refrain from the politics of rage and anger that have characterized their past.
In this case it will have proved a useful if much-delayed lesson for it could have been achieved without walkouts and graduated responses.
Indeed it is this which carries an implied threat for if the strategy of the combined leaders is merely tactical and not borne of conviction, then if it fails to deliver demands will it collapse and see members revert to type?
It is disappointing to see the UUP embark on this road. Its’ reasoning can only be informed by political expediency and a desperate pursuit of power and survival.
Politically, the allies within the combined leadership are not taking Northern Ireland to a good place. They have managed a particular crisis and limited damage to the Orange Order but this is communal politics and not the answer to solving Northern Ireland’s issue.
NI Conservatives remain committed to taking NI forward ,will continue to oppose those with which I can only assume from Danny’s actions and comments he, unlike his politics in the past, is now more comfortable.
UUP and all the parties need to get back into serious talks which requires positive input,lets not forget it was the Orange Order encouraged by Orange elements in UUP that blocked the last suggested reformed body. The reality is Danny Kinahan knows the UUP no longer represents moderate unionism as his leader continually speaks in terms of representing only one community in an unofficial alliance with the DUP, frightened to take it on in the polls while benefitting unofficial non-aggression pacts and inter unionist transfers.
NI Conservatives remain committed to its policies for restoring our economy, improving our education, improving health standards and care, embracing fairness and social justice within respect for democracy and the rule of law. In so doing we will seek to make Northern Ireland work for all and where necessary propose change to our political structures where they prove to be necessary. We are committed as is the Secretary of State to values of tolerance,respect and inclusivity for all cultures and feel no need to ally with those whose commitment is selective and conditional.