Caoimhin O’Muraile ☭ Over the years Sinn Fein have danced the fandango on their political position more times than I have visited Old Trafford football ground which is many. 

From the once often spoken “32 County Democratic Socialist Republic” which was their view to a unified island of Ireland, a position I never really took seriously as their politics did not add up to socialism, their political stance has shifted more times than the San Andreas Fault.

They then shifted their position after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 to a “New Republic” whatever that may mean? Then a demand, under the terms of the GFA, for an immediate “border poll” which has now been diluted to such a poll within a “lifetime” (whose lifetime is unclear). Once again this is an example of entryism into bourgeois politics under their rules, a once radical party must become representative of the bourgeoisie themselves if they want to play the parliamentary game!

A few weeks ago I listened to an interview of former Sinn Fein minister, Martin O’Muilleoir, on the BBCs ‘Red Lines’ podcast. It was an interesting interview by Mark Carruthers and the former minister stated; “if we don’t have the Presbyterians on our side in a new Ireland we are definitely screwed”. This is perfectly true: we do need a sizable number of the Protestant and Presbyterian community on side to have any chance of a peaceful unified country. In today’s world we also need the many minority groups and religions, and those with no faith, on side as all our lives will be affected. He emphasised “engagement” as an important factor which again nobody can disagree with because engaging all communities is pivotal. The former minister continued; “I’m not in a big hurry (for a poll) because this is only going in one direction and we want to take as many people with us as possible.” So far, so good. He went on to strongly point out that “constitutional change is almost certainly coming to Ireland”. Martin believes a border poll will happen, though he never said when, and such changes as the constitutional position of the six counties will change. What about a 32-county poll Martin which words to the effect of are also contained in the GFA? The wording being:

The agreement reached was that Northern Ireland was part of the United Kingdom, and would remain so until a majority of the people both of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland wished otherwise. Should that happen, then the British and Irish governments are under a binding obligation to implement that choice. 

Referring to a border poll Martin never said when this border poll or constitutional change will come about just that it will, a bit like how long is a piece of string!

Martin explained in the interview his memories of gun battles between the “IRA and British Army” after the honeymoon period had worn off. The British troops arrived in December of 1969 and many Catholics (foolishly) welcomed them as bringing relief after the petrol bombings of recent weeks. That was not the purpose of the British troops' arrival as those same residents soon were to discover. He also remembers the hunger strikes of 1981 and “the sadness” in his “mother’s voice when Bobby Sands died”. Martin went so far as to say he “would like to see the Union Jack and the tricolour flying over Belfast City Hall”. You certainly have come a long way Martin. Many people in Britain do not want the union flag flying over their own city and town halls!

Perhaps Martin’s envisagement of two flags flying over Belfast City Hall is not too far away from fruition. For totally different reasons, I dare say, the possibility of the ‘Union Jack’ and tricolour flying over Belfast has in one respect already happened. During the far-right neo-fascist anti-immigrant protests in Belfast the ‘Union Jack’ waving fascist elements within loyalism were joined by far-right racist elements from Coolock in Dublin who were waving the tricolour. Is this the sign of things to come? 

Perhaps the neo-Nazis of Coolock, a minority I must stress, and there are no other words to describe them would like to see this joint flag arrangement extended to the 26-county capital! They appeared very much at home with people from the six counties who once banned the tricolour from Belfast, all very comradely, I’m sure. According to the Documentary, RTE Investigates, English fascist Stephen Yaxley Lenon, better known as ‘Tommy Robinson’ is connected to and is known to have “been present” at the Coolock anti-immigration protests. At these protests neo-Nazi language was used by the people taking part, hence my above description of them (neo-Nazis). This is not to suggest Martin O’Muilleoir and Sinn Fein have shifted ground into the racist camp because they have not, and I must be clear on that. I am simply drawing an analogy between the dual flag syndrome, albeit for differing reasons, and how inadvertently it could come about.

We all should know and agree that respecting different traditions and customs will be essential in any future arrangements regarding incorporating the minority population of Ireland in with the majority. it will be only right and proper to respect other peoples, all peoples, freedom to worship (or not) in whichever way they feel fit. It is also important not to ignore the feeling of “Britishness” felt by many in the minority community on the island. The question is; how far do we take this ‘respect’? It cannot be endless because all traditions including the majority group as well as the minority must be accommodated as they are presently in the 26 counties. Offensive ‘cultures’ should not be tolerated; for example a huge Lambeg Drum with an image of the Pope's head emblazoned getting battered would be offensive to Catholics and should not be accepted. The same rule would apply to republican drums picturing King Charles getting an equal battering which would be offensive to unionists and therefore would not be tolerated. There would be no room for offensive remarks or descriptions of minority groups and would not be accepted.

Let’s take a hypothetical look at some of the unionist ideas and preconditions could be in some cases for a united Ireland. The issue of which flag should the new unified country fly, should the tricolour be replaced with an alternative? Which national anthem should be used? Would there be a special role for Stormont? When asked these questions the former Sinn Fein minister answered “yes, yes, yes” meaning yes, the flag may have to be changed and yes, a new national anthem may be used and yes there will be a roll for Stormont. So, let us examine the possibilities of any changes in these spheres and demands of any ‘reasonable’ unionist, what could their demands be?

The ‘reasonable’ unionist who could argue that perhaps in view of the fact you have your united Ireland, your cherished aim for decades, in order to keep our unionist British identity the national anthem should be changed to God Save the King! This would not be unreasonable, may say the unionist, after all you have your united Ireland, surely you would not deny me my cultural identity which this anthem is part of would you? The reasonable unionist could then go on to say; part of our culture is the union flag so any flag change must incorporate the ‘Union Jack’ as this too is part of my cultural identity, surely as you have your united Ireland you would not deny me that, would you? The not unreasonable unionist might also argue that Stormont is part of his/her political identity so in a united Ireland surely this must be the national parliament, you cannot deny us that, can you? After all you do have your United Ireland! So, we now have a united Ireland under the Union Jack, with God Save the King as our anthem and Stormont replacing the Dail as the national parliament! Of course, these are ridiculous extreme lengths I have explained but they are supposed to be. How far do we go in appeasing unionist and perhaps more importantly loyalist fears about their culture? We can only go so far before our own culture and identity is eroded which, given the direction of travel Sinn Fein are taking would not surprise me!

Martin pointed out when he “talks with his unionist business friend’s” they always ask how they would benefit in “a united Ireland”. They have no need to worry because when it comes to business and making money no compromise on minor details like the national anthem and flag are too much. William Martin Murphy, a nationalist MP at the time of the Dublin Lockout, who was the owner of the Dublin United Tramways Company supported Home Rule. As a businessman he could see profits would not be affected but perhaps increased in a limited home ruled Ireland. This view was shared by some Unionist businessmen, albeit a minority at the time, in what would become the six counties. Profit is the only motivation in either a united or partitioned Ireland to the business community. Now that Sinn Fein are a party of the business classes little wonder they have shifted political position so much over the decades. Just like the British Labour Party who are unrecognisable to the party even of the 1960s, Sinn Fein are not the party of revolutionary change they once claimed to be.

There could be scope for a change to the tricolour but not a totally different flag altogether. Back in the mid-late 19th century some republicans suggested the tricolour, first introduced from revolutionary France in 1848, could be made up of Orange, the Protestant tradition, “Sky Blue” to represent the “Presbyterian” tradition (formerly known as Dissenters) and Green for the majority Catholic tradition. This would encompass all the main historical traditions on the island of Ireland and could be a compromise.

It would appear, according to Martin O’Muilleoir, all the fighting and sacrifice made was to achieve an ambiguous agreement, and have two flags, one imperialist, flying over Belfast City Hall. Is this the united Ireland so many young people sacrificed their lives for? The demands made by republicans of the new Labour Government in London now should be, in conjunction with the 26-county administration, a 32-county nationwide poll on Irish unification. Let us not forget the people in the 26 counties also have a tradition which, along with the unionists in the six counties, must also be respected. Removal of the British Secretary of State’s veto over a border poll is essential, perhaps replacing this clause with something along the lines of the British Secretary of State and the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Dublin will jointly oversee an all-Irish poll. This would still be in line with the GFA with a small amendment. Surely that is not too much to ask, is it?

The aims of republican socialists are ideologically poles apart from those of orthodox republicans and cannot be negotiated with any capitalist government in Dublin or London. The socialist republic would, based on the political and economic writings of Karl Marx, and preached by James Connolly in Ireland, eradicate poverty, depravation, homelessness and poor provisions of health services (not to be confused with health care) across the 32 counties. Central to this would be the common ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange with full democracy in all departments. Production carried out on a not-for profit basis, not to be confused with a non-profit making system, would be the productive method for the needs of the many, not the greed of the few as is presently the case. 

The Good Friday Agreement offers none of these for either side of the so-called religious divide in the six counties and does not tackle any of the economic problems faced by the proletariat of the twenty-six. It was never supposed to. The GFA was never intended to address these problems faced by the majority of people on the island. It was never intended to be an agreement on political and economic ideological change. What the capitalist class are unable, unwilling, or a combination of both to give we must take ourselves now, that’s not too much to ask either, is it!
 
Caoimhin O’Muraile is Independent Socialist Republican and Marxist.

A United Ireland 🚦 Which Flag? Which Anthem? What System of Government?

Caoimhin O’Muraile ☭ Over the years Sinn Fein have danced the fandango on their political position more times than I have visited Old Trafford football ground which is many. 

From the once often spoken “32 County Democratic Socialist Republic” which was their view to a unified island of Ireland, a position I never really took seriously as their politics did not add up to socialism, their political stance has shifted more times than the San Andreas Fault.

They then shifted their position after the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998 to a “New Republic” whatever that may mean? Then a demand, under the terms of the GFA, for an immediate “border poll” which has now been diluted to such a poll within a “lifetime” (whose lifetime is unclear). Once again this is an example of entryism into bourgeois politics under their rules, a once radical party must become representative of the bourgeoisie themselves if they want to play the parliamentary game!

A few weeks ago I listened to an interview of former Sinn Fein minister, Martin O’Muilleoir, on the BBCs ‘Red Lines’ podcast. It was an interesting interview by Mark Carruthers and the former minister stated; “if we don’t have the Presbyterians on our side in a new Ireland we are definitely screwed”. This is perfectly true: we do need a sizable number of the Protestant and Presbyterian community on side to have any chance of a peaceful unified country. In today’s world we also need the many minority groups and religions, and those with no faith, on side as all our lives will be affected. He emphasised “engagement” as an important factor which again nobody can disagree with because engaging all communities is pivotal. The former minister continued; “I’m not in a big hurry (for a poll) because this is only going in one direction and we want to take as many people with us as possible.” So far, so good. He went on to strongly point out that “constitutional change is almost certainly coming to Ireland”. Martin believes a border poll will happen, though he never said when, and such changes as the constitutional position of the six counties will change. What about a 32-county poll Martin which words to the effect of are also contained in the GFA? The wording being:

The agreement reached was that Northern Ireland was part of the United Kingdom, and would remain so until a majority of the people both of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland wished otherwise. Should that happen, then the British and Irish governments are under a binding obligation to implement that choice. 

Referring to a border poll Martin never said when this border poll or constitutional change will come about just that it will, a bit like how long is a piece of string!

Martin explained in the interview his memories of gun battles between the “IRA and British Army” after the honeymoon period had worn off. The British troops arrived in December of 1969 and many Catholics (foolishly) welcomed them as bringing relief after the petrol bombings of recent weeks. That was not the purpose of the British troops' arrival as those same residents soon were to discover. He also remembers the hunger strikes of 1981 and “the sadness” in his “mother’s voice when Bobby Sands died”. Martin went so far as to say he “would like to see the Union Jack and the tricolour flying over Belfast City Hall”. You certainly have come a long way Martin. Many people in Britain do not want the union flag flying over their own city and town halls!

Perhaps Martin’s envisagement of two flags flying over Belfast City Hall is not too far away from fruition. For totally different reasons, I dare say, the possibility of the ‘Union Jack’ and tricolour flying over Belfast has in one respect already happened. During the far-right neo-fascist anti-immigrant protests in Belfast the ‘Union Jack’ waving fascist elements within loyalism were joined by far-right racist elements from Coolock in Dublin who were waving the tricolour. Is this the sign of things to come? 

Perhaps the neo-Nazis of Coolock, a minority I must stress, and there are no other words to describe them would like to see this joint flag arrangement extended to the 26-county capital! They appeared very much at home with people from the six counties who once banned the tricolour from Belfast, all very comradely, I’m sure. According to the Documentary, RTE Investigates, English fascist Stephen Yaxley Lenon, better known as ‘Tommy Robinson’ is connected to and is known to have “been present” at the Coolock anti-immigration protests. At these protests neo-Nazi language was used by the people taking part, hence my above description of them (neo-Nazis). This is not to suggest Martin O’Muilleoir and Sinn Fein have shifted ground into the racist camp because they have not, and I must be clear on that. I am simply drawing an analogy between the dual flag syndrome, albeit for differing reasons, and how inadvertently it could come about.

We all should know and agree that respecting different traditions and customs will be essential in any future arrangements regarding incorporating the minority population of Ireland in with the majority. it will be only right and proper to respect other peoples, all peoples, freedom to worship (or not) in whichever way they feel fit. It is also important not to ignore the feeling of “Britishness” felt by many in the minority community on the island. The question is; how far do we take this ‘respect’? It cannot be endless because all traditions including the majority group as well as the minority must be accommodated as they are presently in the 26 counties. Offensive ‘cultures’ should not be tolerated; for example a huge Lambeg Drum with an image of the Pope's head emblazoned getting battered would be offensive to Catholics and should not be accepted. The same rule would apply to republican drums picturing King Charles getting an equal battering which would be offensive to unionists and therefore would not be tolerated. There would be no room for offensive remarks or descriptions of minority groups and would not be accepted.

Let’s take a hypothetical look at some of the unionist ideas and preconditions could be in some cases for a united Ireland. The issue of which flag should the new unified country fly, should the tricolour be replaced with an alternative? Which national anthem should be used? Would there be a special role for Stormont? When asked these questions the former Sinn Fein minister answered “yes, yes, yes” meaning yes, the flag may have to be changed and yes, a new national anthem may be used and yes there will be a roll for Stormont. So, let us examine the possibilities of any changes in these spheres and demands of any ‘reasonable’ unionist, what could their demands be?

The ‘reasonable’ unionist who could argue that perhaps in view of the fact you have your united Ireland, your cherished aim for decades, in order to keep our unionist British identity the national anthem should be changed to God Save the King! This would not be unreasonable, may say the unionist, after all you have your united Ireland, surely you would not deny me my cultural identity which this anthem is part of would you? The reasonable unionist could then go on to say; part of our culture is the union flag so any flag change must incorporate the ‘Union Jack’ as this too is part of my cultural identity, surely as you have your united Ireland you would not deny me that, would you? The not unreasonable unionist might also argue that Stormont is part of his/her political identity so in a united Ireland surely this must be the national parliament, you cannot deny us that, can you? After all you do have your United Ireland! So, we now have a united Ireland under the Union Jack, with God Save the King as our anthem and Stormont replacing the Dail as the national parliament! Of course, these are ridiculous extreme lengths I have explained but they are supposed to be. How far do we go in appeasing unionist and perhaps more importantly loyalist fears about their culture? We can only go so far before our own culture and identity is eroded which, given the direction of travel Sinn Fein are taking would not surprise me!

Martin pointed out when he “talks with his unionist business friend’s” they always ask how they would benefit in “a united Ireland”. They have no need to worry because when it comes to business and making money no compromise on minor details like the national anthem and flag are too much. William Martin Murphy, a nationalist MP at the time of the Dublin Lockout, who was the owner of the Dublin United Tramways Company supported Home Rule. As a businessman he could see profits would not be affected but perhaps increased in a limited home ruled Ireland. This view was shared by some Unionist businessmen, albeit a minority at the time, in what would become the six counties. Profit is the only motivation in either a united or partitioned Ireland to the business community. Now that Sinn Fein are a party of the business classes little wonder they have shifted political position so much over the decades. Just like the British Labour Party who are unrecognisable to the party even of the 1960s, Sinn Fein are not the party of revolutionary change they once claimed to be.

There could be scope for a change to the tricolour but not a totally different flag altogether. Back in the mid-late 19th century some republicans suggested the tricolour, first introduced from revolutionary France in 1848, could be made up of Orange, the Protestant tradition, “Sky Blue” to represent the “Presbyterian” tradition (formerly known as Dissenters) and Green for the majority Catholic tradition. This would encompass all the main historical traditions on the island of Ireland and could be a compromise.

It would appear, according to Martin O’Muilleoir, all the fighting and sacrifice made was to achieve an ambiguous agreement, and have two flags, one imperialist, flying over Belfast City Hall. Is this the united Ireland so many young people sacrificed their lives for? The demands made by republicans of the new Labour Government in London now should be, in conjunction with the 26-county administration, a 32-county nationwide poll on Irish unification. Let us not forget the people in the 26 counties also have a tradition which, along with the unionists in the six counties, must also be respected. Removal of the British Secretary of State’s veto over a border poll is essential, perhaps replacing this clause with something along the lines of the British Secretary of State and the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Dublin will jointly oversee an all-Irish poll. This would still be in line with the GFA with a small amendment. Surely that is not too much to ask, is it?

The aims of republican socialists are ideologically poles apart from those of orthodox republicans and cannot be negotiated with any capitalist government in Dublin or London. The socialist republic would, based on the political and economic writings of Karl Marx, and preached by James Connolly in Ireland, eradicate poverty, depravation, homelessness and poor provisions of health services (not to be confused with health care) across the 32 counties. Central to this would be the common ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange with full democracy in all departments. Production carried out on a not-for profit basis, not to be confused with a non-profit making system, would be the productive method for the needs of the many, not the greed of the few as is presently the case. 

The Good Friday Agreement offers none of these for either side of the so-called religious divide in the six counties and does not tackle any of the economic problems faced by the proletariat of the twenty-six. It was never supposed to. The GFA was never intended to address these problems faced by the majority of people on the island. It was never intended to be an agreement on political and economic ideological change. What the capitalist class are unable, unwilling, or a combination of both to give we must take ourselves now, that’s not too much to ask either, is it!
 
Caoimhin O’Muraile is Independent Socialist Republican and Marxist.

3 comments:

  1. That's kite flying from the Shinners. Putting them in alignment with Martin and O Callaghan of FF, Varadkar and Richmond of fg. Their ideas on a hypothetical united Ireland tend to imagine conciliation structures and and ambigious ambition on the date in favour of 'getting as much support as possible'.

    In votes one is as good as a million. A majority is a majority. But not on this issue apparently.

    Say what you want about the brits or the English in particular but their cohesion on brexit when dealing with a very slip majority but respecting it even when a large number didn't like it is a lot healthier than Ireland.

    Fair enough, only thing the Shinners have going for them now is an interesting idea on housing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Interesting point, but Brexit being "healthier" than Ireland depends very much whether you accept the UK as one country. The slim majority in favour of leaving the EU was carried because England has a population of over 55 million making the votes in Scotland, Wales and the six counties largely, though not totally, irrelevant. If one does not accept the UK as a single entity then Brexit was far from healthy and certainly not democratic.

    Caoimhin O'Muraile

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fair point. More so England.

      Scotland had a choice of leaving the UK on a vote, something Ireland never had and a majority chose to stay. For better or worse that was the consequence

      The north had the attention diplomats the Southern state, Britain the EU and america trying to limit the impact of brexit.

      Wales got nothing.

      Delete