The next General Election may be some way off, but it is
not too early for Unionists of both parties to be reaching
agreement on how best to maximise the pro-British vote.
The lessons of Unionist disunity which cost at least two
Westminster seats at the last General Election can surely
not have been forgotten.
That disunity and lack of common purpose resulted in the
loss of the South Belfast seat, most recently held by the
Rev Martin Smyth, and before that the late Rev Robert Bradford.
It also handed the Fermanagh-south Tyrone seat to Sinn Fein
- a cruel blow to the Protestant people of the frontier county
who had suffered so badly from IRA terrorism in the 30-year
campaign against this Province.
It is not the Orange Order's role, or wish, to apportion
blame for this state of affairs. The Order has always tried
to facilitate moves to achieve Unionist unity.
Conscious of the fact that Orange membership is held by all
the branches of Unionism, the Order did not call on its huge
membership to vote for one or other of the main Unionist parties.
But the Order is entitled to feel concerned about any weakening
of the Protestant and pro-British position in Northern Ireland,
hence its concern over the loss of these two parliamentary
seats.
Irish republicanism and nationalism is on the march, and
its triumphalism can be seen in many spheres of activity.
There is nothing to be gained by Ulster Protestants and Unionists
bemoaning what has happened in the recent past. It is much
more important to halt the advance of republicanism and to
restore confidence and esteem to the British-Irish population
in Northern Ireland.
One of the best ways of doing this is to win seats at elections,
and that is why both Unionist parties must put on their thinking
caps and share a common purpose in achieving some understanding
before the General Election.
Of course, the Unionist parties are not solely to blame for
the decline in the pro-British votes at election time, and
loss of seats.
There has been a rise in apathy in the ranks of the Unionist
people, especially in the east of the Province.
Places like North Down abound with what have been called
the 'garden centre Prod', and have either stood aloof from
politics, or opted for a more liberal brand.
They are perfectly entitled to do this, but they should also
examine their consciences and remember the price paid by Unionist
people living in less safe areas of Northern Ireland, especially
along the border.
These people in the affluent east of Ulster need to play
a more vigorous role in promoting their British identity,
and their culture and history.
The Orange Order will do its best to achieve this, and it
is a challenge for the lodges in the more comfortable areas
of the Province to awaken the many people who have lost the
habit of voting, and alert them to the dangers facing their
British citizenship and identity.
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