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The decision by the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland to break
formal links with the Ulster Unionist Party was the source
of much media interest in the run-up to the March meeting
of the Institution.
The media clearly saw the development as a highly significant
one, and were correct in this appraisal.
In deciding not to be formally linked to the newly-restructured
Ulster Unionist Party, a major and historic development took
place.
It should be stressed, however, that the Orange Institution
believes that it is holding true to the spirit of the founding
fathers of the UUC in 1904 and 1905 through the decision.
At that time the aim was to bring together disparate elements
within the Unionist community under one umbrella.
A century on and much has changed in unionist politics. There
is no longer, as the Grand Master, Robert Saulters, pointed
out, just the one Unionist party. Orangemen belong to and/or
vote for a variety of political parties.
"We feel that the arrangements which were made in 1905
are no longer relevant or appropriate to the political scene
in Northern Ireland in 2005," the Grand Master remarked.
"As the largest Protestant community and religious group
in the Province, the Orange Order represents a substantial
section of the Unionist electorate. As such we will continue
to lobby all political parties on the vision and values to
which we subscribe and we believe this can be done more effectively
as a truly independent pressure group," he added.
The Order rightly sees itself as having been the catalyst
which led to the formation of the Ulster Unionist Council
in 1905.
In the 1880s this link between the Order and political Unionism
had begun to develop, although it did not meet with the approval
of everyone in Orange ranks from time to time.
It could, nonetheless, clearly be argued, as in the history
of the Ulster Unionist Party, that the UUP was born out of
the Orange Institution just as the British Labour Party was
born out of the trade union movement.
In the modern world the needs that were identified in 1905
remain. Unionism has many facets - political parties, civic
and voluntary bodies, churches, and others. There is still
a need for an umbrella body to provide an overview for the
sake of the Union, and the Orange Institution sees itself
as having the ability to work with all those interested in
preserving the Union.
In so doing it will no longer be formally linked to any one
political party, but will hope to maintain relationships with
all unionist parties and in turn lobby for Unionist unity
on the key issues affecting us all.
This possibility clearly led the majority of members of Grand
Lodge to support the Notice of Motion which had been channelling
its way through three Grand Lodge meetings, having been proposed
by the County Grand Master of Tyrone, Worshipful Brother Edward
Stevenson.
There was a very clear majority in favour of his motion when
it was put to the vote at the meeting in Ballymacarrett Orange
Hall on March 12.
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