A Tangled Web

Where to for Unionism?





As we look out across 2004, it seems that Unionism is more bitterly divided than ever before. With devolution suspended, the New Year provides us with an opportunity to assess where Unionism is going.



The Assembly Election results showed that the ANTI-AGREEMENT position carries overwhelming support within the pro-Union community. The Anti-Agreement DUP's victory over the pro-Agreement UUP was a defining moment - and Jeffrey Donaldson's subsequent resignation from the UUP demonstrates that the centrifugal force of anti-Agreement Unionism is proving irresistible. Donaldson tried his best to move the UUP to a morally responsible and electorally acceptable position. The common sense of this was seen in his own performance in Lagan Valley when he cornered 10% of the total UUP first preference votes.



However, in the strange world of pro-Agreement Unionism, Jeffrey had no future. This is the world assidously propped up by Government and the media - the world in which Trimble is a political giant, the world in which Trimble alone offers hope. Hope to Sinn Fein/ IRA, hope to the Irish Government, hope to the UVF/PUP. The New Year has seen the prophets of PRO-Agreement Unionism declare that the Party has to become even MORE pro-Agreement if it is to survive. In a way, they are right.



Since the UUP is no longer a Party of the Union, but rather the biggest danger to it - the quicker it follows policies that will isolate more unionist voters the better. Thus the wisdom of Roy Garland for instance, should be followed.



Only when the UUP is smashed beyond recognition, will Unionism prosper. The Euro election later this year should help in driving one more stake into the UUP. Jim Nicholson, it is said, has become more and more concerned that he may not retain his seat. Would a Paisley/Donaldson ticket trump the Nicholson/Trimble ticket? Some think it will.



For some time now I have argued that the UUP is mutating into something that is NOT Unionist. The logic of what Garland and others are advocating - and no doubt with the tacit approval of Trimble, Nesbitt et al, is that the NEW UUP will really be the NEW Alliance Party. Another puppet party, without principles, and dancing to its masters tune.



Unionism can only exist in the anti-Agreement form. That is why the DUP will grow bigger and stronger - and why Government, Republicans and even the media will eventually have to waken up to the new reality.



The UUP is dead - long live the DUP!