A Tangled Web

BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO



Tensions between the UUP and the Orange Order are neatly summed up in this article by Mark Davenport. As I am a member of neither organisation, I view this rather less passionately than some. On the one hand, I can understand why the UUP would seek to ensure that its membership paid its fees. In many walks of life, membership fees can be a touchy subject. On the other hand, Orange Order cries of "purge" carry a degree of authenticity as Trimble pursues his project of making the UUP permanently non-electable on a unionist vote anyway.



The inherent conflicts of the OO, which portrays itself as a religious and historical organisation, and its links with any specific political party, are coming to a head. Perhaps that will turn out to be a good thing?