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How we need political lions to tackle that Anglo-Irish divide
Monday, 15 June 2009
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Is there a lesson in Northern Ireland politics to be learnt from the British and Irish rugby team? It plays under a unified banner — the Scottish Thistle, the Welsh Prince of Wales Feathers, the English Rose and the Irish Shamrock. The team has an illustrious history of unified glory going back many decades.
The Lions' greatest and most inspirational leader was one Willie John McBride from Ulster. When he was in charge in 1974, his team was known with complete justification as ‘The Invincibles’. Legend has it that the Earth quaked whenever he shouted “99” to his players, a call to arms which wiped out even the toughest opponents.
Now, in the aftermath of the European elections when nearly 60% of the population failed to vote at all, I wonder if a new British and Irish party could invoke a similar spirit and maybe even arouse the electorate from its deep slumbers.
Don't over-excite yourself about the Traditional Unionist Voice. Don't lose any sleep over the Democratic Unionists' double-jobbing problems or the Ulster Unionists joining up with the Tories. Consider the vision of the B and I party.
Who would be eligible to join? Answer, anyone who feels distinctly British or Irish, as long as they did not consider physically attacking or killing anyone to enforce their point of view.
I suspect that there are hundreds of thousands of potential members of the B and I party who cherish the British tradition, their Planter heritage, and simply want to remain politically and economically part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Likewise, there are many others who feel more Irish than British, who cherish the tradition and culture of the Gael, but also know which side their bread is buttered on. By that I mean, they would run a mile from an actual united Ireland today or tomorrow but would still like to see more unity of purpose between the UK and Ireland.
I think most people now accept that a united Ireland cannot be achieved by force — or by wishful thinking.
It cannot be achieved, as John Hume used to say, without a united Northern Ireland and it cannot be sustained in any way without addressing the harsh reality of the economy, north or south on this island.
The current British and Irish Lions are captained by Paul O'Connell, an inspirational Irishman from Munster. When he has a day off, his brilliant Leinster compatriot, Brian O'Driscoll takes charge. All of their players appear to me to be more than willing to lay down their lives on a rugby pitch for each other. It is a classic example of one for all, all for one, British and Irish, English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh alike.
Aside from their undoubted talent, they display total loyalty and commitment to one another. If such a team spirit could be translated from the sports field to a political party, the latter would surely sweep all before it on this island.
In my view, we should stop and think about this because existing unionist and nationalist parties have a difficulty. They continue to talk at one another but seldom with one another. If that happened on the rugby pitch, the British and Irish Lions would never win a match.
We delude ourselves if we think there is not a massive job to be done.
The UK and the Republic live cheek by jowl geographically with even a land frontier joining them but they still behave as if they were light years apart. They have separate currencies and very different economics. The Queen in one country cannot even visit the President in the other.
In virtually every aspect of life, short of using the English language, the two nations have wide differences, in living standards, house prices, taxes, employment prospects, health and education matters and many other corners of government.
The London and Dublin governments may have tried to sort out Northern Ireland but what price real harmonisation between such neighbouring states?
The British and Irish Lions rugby team is an example of true cooperation. It begs an enormous question for us all. What if we British or Irish of the 21st century were to concentrate more on pulling together rather than arguing apart?
What if, instead of being seen as a great sectarian black hole into which any unionist or nationalist who shakes hands eventually falls and is never seen again, Northern Ireland were to become a bridge between London and Dublin, between the British and Irish traditions?
What if we were to recognise that in being British or being Irish and living together in this province, we could be as incredible a force as the Lions?
What if we could redefine unionism from its narrow ground and persuade nationalists to support a unified British-Irish future rather than dwelling on a divided British-Irish past?
What if unionists and nationalists could have a common cause in bringing together the people of Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic?
If we could achieve that, far from being a barrier between London and Dublin, Northern Ireland could be a causeway of hope joining the islands together.
United they stand. Divided they fall. The British and Irish Lions know this every time they go out to play.
Maybe it is time we the British and Irish citizens of Northern Ireland felt the same.
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Comments
49 Comments
mickey
The simple fact is its not, if there will be a united ireland, but when. There is simply too many nationalists in NI now and an old and declining unionist community
Posted by Ciaran | 28.07.09, 15:25 GMT
This is an non runner. The Lions are a rugby team and nothing else. One cannot bring politics into sport. Ireland and Britain are good neighbours and cooperate on a wide range of issues. The 2 countries are very different. One is a Republic and the other is a Kingdom. Ireland is more european with the Euro and England or the UK has sterling and will not go into the euro. Scotland will leave the UK and becone more like the Republic within 10 years. N.I will join the Republic within 20 years.
Posted by John | 02.07.09, 08:38 GMT
the great tug o war between unionism and nationalism continues in the assembly without an end in sight,the solution must be 2 state in its nature, if that means NI leaving the UK and pledging allegiance to a new structure British and Irish in its nature and funded by both countries, a solution could be found,otherwise its the shinners and dupes in perpituity. What happens when tug o war rope breaks.
Posted by Eamon Corbett | 01.07.09, 00:04 GMT
Stephen/Mickey. Your are clearly two distinct people - as can be deduced from the content and tone of your responses.
Stephen, I apologise.
Mickey - is your head full of banging doors?
Posted by erasmus | 19.06.09, 13:16 GMT
Erasmus, for the record - anyone who feels the need to post on here using two or more names is an I.D.I.O.T.
Why is it that your posts are apprently mirror images of those posted by "mark", "patrick" and "in the name of the "fada"?
I spy an idiot.
Posted by mi-ck-ey | 18.06.09, 19:45 GMT
erasmus, if you can prove to me or anyone else that I am in fact one and the same person as mickey, I will donate 10,000 pounds to any charity of the belfast telegraphs choice.
Perhaps the mod can verify this.
Also, if he/she can, can I ask for a mere 1000 pounds for a charity of their choice from you?
Is it too much to believe that there are more than one unionist poster with morals, principles and above all, intelligence? lol. I am married for over ten years, and dont need anyone else thank u.
Posted by stephen | 18.06.09, 17:40 GMT
Mickey/Stephen I find it disturbing that you have now begun to converse with each other online - considering you share the same bedsit, see the same face in the mirror every morning and don't realise you are the same individual, albeit with several personalities.
Anyway, a good woman is what both of you need. Could I suggest you drop down to singles night in your local Care in the Community centre? No white socks and sandals now lads... and please don't open the chat with politics.
Good luck
Posted by erasmus | 18.06.09, 16:37 GMT
wee Paddy, I accept your unequivocal climb down. Maybe this experience will teach you manners, boy, and not to question superior intelligence.
If you are allowed out on your own, try and get to a library or at least a newsagents, and open your wee mind.
Of course, the world bank, the imf, and especially the CIA world fact book could all be wrong, and you wee Patrick are way too clever for all of them!
LOL, you are a sketch, you give me something to ridicule everyday, and I love you for that. x
Posted by stephen | 18.06.09, 11:19 GMT
Patrick "Hello Mickey, don't let any of them (including me) get to you"
ha hahaha, that's highly amusing! "get to me".....oh lordy!
Posted by mi-ck-ey | 18.06.09, 10:59 GMT
Stephen
I really have no wish to "discuss" with you further. Have you read Alice in Wonderland by the way ? - pure fantasy also but a great story nonetheless. If you want the TRUTH re Global GDPs read The Economist. Have a nice cup of tea and a lie down is my final advice. You'll not hear from me again. Slan leat, au revoir, Auf Wiedersehen !!
Hello Mickey, don't let any of them (including me) get to you. You're great fun - and I mean that sincerely.
Posted by Patrick | 18.06.09, 10:19 GMT
Ulysses, if you can show me where it says one can be Northern Irish in the GFA, then I'll happily lay claim to that 'official' description. Unofficially I am indeed Northern Irish. It's a useful took for elaborating further on my actual "Irishness".
I much prefer working towards a "Northern Ireland utopia". Don't you?
Posted by mi-ck-ey | 18.06.09, 09:16 GMT
Eamonn
As the overwhelmingly dominant constituent re population,wealth etc, most people all over the World unfortunately regard England as synonymous with Britain/UK.
Slan agus beannacht
Posted by Patrick | 17.06.09, 23:49 GMT
"confusing the UK/Britain with England"
For all that matters, the UK IS England, the rest is just historical appendage stuff. The entire UK, in spite of having a Scottish Prime Minister for the moment, is really run by 127 high ranking civil servents in London including those who work for MI5+6. Of those 127, all are English the upper classes, all Eton-Oxbridge types. Even the top brass of the "British" army are 99% English. Scotland will see sense and go her own way...
Posted by Lord Haw Haw | 17.06.09, 19:07 GMT
I don't know whether it is the weather or something else but has no one spotted thestrange comments by the Mickey consortium. He is both British and IRISH.
What has happened to the being Nothern Irish, first and foremost?
Maybe the "Ireland" utopia you refer to is closer than you think, Mickey.
Posted by Ulysses31 | 17.06.09, 15:37 GMT
patrick, here are some facts for you.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_(PPP)
the imf, the world bank, and the cia world factbook have the UK economy at 7th, 6th, and 6th respectively globally.
Ireland is ranked 53rd, 50th and 52nd respectively.
Irelands economy is on its deathbed.
The EU controls fiscal policy for ireland.
The uk controls fiscal policy for the uk.
Irish is a dying language, just like its economy!
what you say, boy? lol, I cant take such ignorance seriously!
Posted by stephen | 17.06.09, 15:18 GMT
a good article, with similiar wishes that I have been espousing for years. There is NO economic reason for ire not to join the uk. There is no economic reason for an independent ui. Patrick, you really are stuck in a narrow minded little world, boy. Christianity is falling away rapidly as people wake up to the fact there is no god, santa, etc. The other threats of making the troubles seem lke a skirmish are typical of nationalists. ie, if you dont get your way, then you resort to violence. shame
Posted by stephen | 17.06.09, 15:06 GMT
Eamon,
Globally England (the overwhelmingly major element) and the UK/Britain - especially Britain are regarded as synonymous terms. The others in the UK with due respect to them - in particular to those with strong eg Scottish, Walsh, NI Irish identities - are regarded as footnotes. It's wrong of course, but it is still an unfortunate fact of life.
Posted by patrick | 17.06.09, 14:28 GMT
Ah McRee,
confusing the UK/Britain with England - you must be American.
Posted by Eamon | 17.06.09, 13:21 GMT
Tommy Hall,
The "Church of Rome" has been there for 2,000 and will be for another 2,000 + I'd wager. So show some respect for your ancestors.
The forced "UK" of Britain + Ireland existed from 1801 and had an uneasy existence until 1922 when we ("Eire") threw you out. Some other FACTS for you :
"Eire" is an Irish language word meaning Ireland.
Catholicism is now again the major Christian group in England.
IMF figures for 2008 showed Ireland 6th and UK 20th for GDP in the World.
Slan go foill.
Posted by Patrick | 17.06.09, 12:37 GMT
Martin, there appears to be 2 of us on this site so I've changed my name to Martin_2, not that I have anything against your posts, in fact I'm in general agreement with them, but at least this way you won't be embarrassed by mine.
So for everybody, I was the Dublin based Martin.
Martin_2
Posted by Martin_2 | 17.06.09, 11:53 GMT
49 Comments