In the British Isles some slight dust up has been made concerning the Thursday-Friday visit of HM Queen Elizabeth II to Northern Ireland, her eighteenth such visit. Obviously that is nothing all that unusual but there had also been speculation that Her Majesty might cross the border to visit Dublin in the Republic of Ireland. That would be a bit unprecedented as no reigning British monarch has set foot in the Irish republic since the end of British rule. Not surprisingly Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams is against the idea, calling it “premature”. Pointing to a lack of delivery on the part of the peace process and a lack of real reconciliation and harmony in Northern Ireland Adams thinks this is the wrong time for a royal visit to Dublin. My favorite part was when Adams said, “I’m saying none of this to be provocative to unionist sensitivities [which means he is about to seriously provoke unionist sensitivities]. But I am not a supporter of any monarchy. It’s just a concept beyond me.” I may have to check again but does not Mr. Adams at least claim to be a Roman Catholic? Surely then there should be at least *one* monarchy he should be a supporter of.
However, to give Gerry his due he did go on to hit on the real crux of the issue saying, “This island is partitioned and despite all the advances that have been made, the English still claim sovereignty in this part of it [he was speaking in Belfast], so I wouldn’t make the English queen welcome at any point until that is resolved in any part of the island”. All of that is perfectly true and one reason why I never held out much hope for the current peace process as a long-term solution because nothing at all has been resolved. Clear away all the clutter and the fact of the matter is that so long as the north remains a part of the United Kingdom the nationalists will not be satisfied (and even then some will not) and the unionists will never agree to anything that separates them from Great Britain -so there you are. I can only marvel at the fact that Gerry Adams and company do not yet realize or do not admit that the Queen is not the problem and nothing to do with the difficulties the Irish face. She is not or should not be seen as his enemy.
Who might that be then? Forget the Queen Gerry, forget London. Your enemies are the unionists (no big surprise there) and more importantly Dublin. Most of the British people (and for quite some time now) would like nothing better than to be shed of the problem that is Northern Ireland. England ruled Ireland longer than any other country, that era is over, Ireland is independent, it’s done and dusted and the British people have, for the most part, moved on. They would like to wash their hands of the matter, having pretty much given up entirely on the whole idea of what was the British Empire (just as they would like to wash their hands of Gibraltar and some other possessions) but the unionists will not allow it and London will not force the issue. Now, I say Dublin is a problem, perhaps even the biggest problem, for Irish nationalists because they have been pushing a campaign of dishonesty for a very long time. In public all the major parties say they stand for a united Ireland yet they are not prepared to do anything about it and, when not in public, do not really want the problem that is Northern Ireland dumped in their lap.
After all, the Republic of Ireland could take advantage of some incident (they happen often enough) and just invade Ulster and annex the place. Does anyone seriously believe that the British would fight them for it? Does anyone seriously believe that the international community would let them fight for it if they wanted to? After all, the British government has openly admitted now that when it comes to military action they can no longer operate independently. However, Dublin does not really want Northern Ireland no matter what their official public line is. Because, if the Republic of Ireland finally achieved national unity they would find the tables turned on them. Unionist militants go positively fanatic and instead of the British government having an IRA problem the Irish government would inherit a UDA problem. In short, Gerry Adams, misguided though he is, has said at least one thing right. True harmony and reconciliation remains elusive in Northern Ireland and that does not seem likely to change. Right now the problem belongs to Britain and, despite what they may claim, Dublin is perfectly fine with it remaining their problem.
However, to give Gerry his due he did go on to hit on the real crux of the issue saying, “This island is partitioned and despite all the advances that have been made, the English still claim sovereignty in this part of it [he was speaking in Belfast], so I wouldn’t make the English queen welcome at any point until that is resolved in any part of the island”. All of that is perfectly true and one reason why I never held out much hope for the current peace process as a long-term solution because nothing at all has been resolved. Clear away all the clutter and the fact of the matter is that so long as the north remains a part of the United Kingdom the nationalists will not be satisfied (and even then some will not) and the unionists will never agree to anything that separates them from Great Britain -so there you are. I can only marvel at the fact that Gerry Adams and company do not yet realize or do not admit that the Queen is not the problem and nothing to do with the difficulties the Irish face. She is not or should not be seen as his enemy.
Who might that be then? Forget the Queen Gerry, forget London. Your enemies are the unionists (no big surprise there) and more importantly Dublin. Most of the British people (and for quite some time now) would like nothing better than to be shed of the problem that is Northern Ireland. England ruled Ireland longer than any other country, that era is over, Ireland is independent, it’s done and dusted and the British people have, for the most part, moved on. They would like to wash their hands of the matter, having pretty much given up entirely on the whole idea of what was the British Empire (just as they would like to wash their hands of Gibraltar and some other possessions) but the unionists will not allow it and London will not force the issue. Now, I say Dublin is a problem, perhaps even the biggest problem, for Irish nationalists because they have been pushing a campaign of dishonesty for a very long time. In public all the major parties say they stand for a united Ireland yet they are not prepared to do anything about it and, when not in public, do not really want the problem that is Northern Ireland dumped in their lap.
After all, the Republic of Ireland could take advantage of some incident (they happen often enough) and just invade Ulster and annex the place. Does anyone seriously believe that the British would fight them for it? Does anyone seriously believe that the international community would let them fight for it if they wanted to? After all, the British government has openly admitted now that when it comes to military action they can no longer operate independently. However, Dublin does not really want Northern Ireland no matter what their official public line is. Because, if the Republic of Ireland finally achieved national unity they would find the tables turned on them. Unionist militants go positively fanatic and instead of the British government having an IRA problem the Irish government would inherit a UDA problem. In short, Gerry Adams, misguided though he is, has said at least one thing right. True harmony and reconciliation remains elusive in Northern Ireland and that does not seem likely to change. Right now the problem belongs to Britain and, despite what they may claim, Dublin is perfectly fine with it remaining their problem.
*Additional Note* Gerry Adams should perhaps study the history of his own party before speaking so slightingly of monarchy. Though few today would guess it, Sinn Fein was actually founded as a monarchist party. Their original platform was independence from Britain but within a dual-monarchy under a shared crown along the lines of Austria-Hungary. Not that a socialist republican would care much about history...
Ah yes, Northern Ireland… to be honest I personally don’t think Dublin or Westminster have been particularly successful Governments for a long time. They have both embraced the same Liberalism that causes Civilisations to collapse, yet both of them seem oblivious to the fact that Liberalism is a problem, and instead think it is the only thing that will lead to a perfect, utopian world. Whenever Liberalism causes one of its invariable problems, they try Liberalism to solve it. Its rather like trying to put out a fire by adding lighter fluid.
ReplyDeleteAs for Adams, he has a point. The Irish Republican Movement is base don Republicanism more than simple independence, and the narrative is hat all Kings are evil. His Roman Catholic Faith is the same as most other Liberals, like Tony Blair. They don’t think of it as reality or think thought the ramifications, it’s a personal spiritual devotion and private faith for them, filled with nice little stories and helpful morals, nut untimely subservient to the “Practical “concerns of “The Real World”. To Adams, as with Blair and for that matter Nancy Pelosi, Catholicism is completely separate from the world and daily affairs, its more of a culture, with inherited rituals and rites, and that is part of their identity, rather than a lived reality.
Their real Religion is their Liberalism.
Ironically, that Religion is what causes the problems in Northern Ireland.
Return to Christ, in Truth and Full, dear British Isles, and Irishman will embrace Englishmen, and all the problems of economy and military will fade, as God makes thee Strong.
For God And Ulster.
Zarove.
True, which is why the Irish Free State did not last. It was independent but still officially a monarchy. Of course this also betrays the idea of genuine nationalism on the part of Irish republicans since Adams expresses his incomprehension of what had been a central part of Irish culture long before the first Norman, Englishman or Scot ever set foot on the island. It's an odd thing -every Irishman is a republican and yet I've never met an Irishman who wasn't descended from a king.
ReplyDeleteActually the Republic came very close to annexing the north several times within the last century, the closest and most obvious was during the heights of the troubles when the IRA created 'no-go' areas within the more southern counties of the north, the IDF moved several regiments to the border on high alert for the possible annexation of Armagh and other counties should British seem to be losing control over the area in order to restore order, forcing the unionists into the republic whether they liked it or not, and promptly shutting up the Nationalist paramilitaries. (because really, its harder for nationalists to justify gurrella war on their own nationalist state should an Irish invasion seem surprising. My own father was a soldier in this operation. alas it didnt come to pass however.
ReplyDeleteActually Dublin created its own biggest hypocracy when it let go of its official claim to all the counties of Ireland during the Belfast agreement, in order to placate the unionists, this of course only outraged the Nationalists.
Bah, I hate to say this so bluntly but unification of Ireland is sadly inevitable, no mtter how long it takes, sooner or later Britain will just toss up the North and not give two rats about it anymore and the Republic, to save face from international embarrassment would be forced to take over. And then we'll have out delightful little paramilitary problems, all over again.
There was a news article some time back on Mr. Adams, which he stated in an interview that he wasn't Catholic.
ReplyDeleteI feel the need to point out that although you are right about the British people's sentiments towards Northern Ireland, for the most part we are very strongly attatched to our remaining colonies such as Gibralter and the Falkland Islands, where the populations are virtually unanimously pro-British. Secondly, I could'nt help but detect a slight whiff of hostility to the Unionists in your article. You must not forget that they are the majority in Northern Ireland and theirs is a perfectly valid and honourable postion. Also, although it would never happen, if the ROI did attempt an invasion, with Unionists still the majority, we would not hesitate to send in troops to drive them back, and in my opinion we would win, because even in wake of the spending cuts the British Armed Forces are still the best in the world in terms of quality and are quite capable of defending our own boarders.
ReplyDeleteServant of the Chief: If such a thing had happened at that time Britain may well have put up a scrap over it, though the international community may have stepped in to prevent a major war. The fact that world opinion was generally against the British was one they had to face. I will agree with you on unification if for no other reason than the fact that partition has never worked. Ireland, Cyprus, India, Vietnam, Korea...the examples are numerous.
ReplyDeleteElisa: I have no doubt that he is not in every way that matters, I didn't know if he had said so. I know I've heard him refer to himself as a Catholic though that may have been the old "I was raised Catholic" line which of course means 'I used to be but am not anymore'.
Will: You did detect hostility toward the unionist position though I thought the hostility toward Dublin and Adams would be more easily detected. You can read my post on Ireland and the British Monarchy to get a better view of my opinions if you like and why I tend to annoy both sides of this conflict (and I'm fine with making everyone upset -hence my choice of image at the top of this post). Essentially it is this; I despise republicanism and rebellion against monarchy in general. However, the Irish have had more justification than about anyone else in the world. The British also, frankly, shot themselves in the foot time and time again, turning rebel defeats into moral and political victories. They did themselves no favors by their constant overreactions. However, the Irish republicans, worse than republicanism itself, have increasingly over the centuries gone very radical leftist -sympathizing with the French Revolution, embracing socialism and finally outright Marxism and those are all pure poison and the very work of the devil -in my opinion as I'm sure every reader knows.
I forgot to mention the conflict part. As someone who is generally a fan of the British Empire and one who still mourns its passing this is not something I relish saying but the fact is that Britain has cut back their military almost to extinction and the UK has (like Ireland) made themselves subjects of the European Union and they would never allow a major war to be fought between their members -just wouldn't look good. And, I have no doubt that there are more fans of Ireland than Britain in the EU halls of power since Britain has been more largely skeptical of the EU than Ireland has (little sense as that makes) which is probably why there has never been a referendum on the EU in Britain. I don't think enough Britons care that much about holding their little bit in the north, I don't think they would act unilaterally (in any situation at this point) and I don't think the EU or the UN would stand by and watch.
ReplyDeleteTo be fair I will admit if there was indeed a conflict, the British would put up a token resistence in any account, its a win/win, they get rid of Northern Ireland, and save face on the international stage by showing they tried to stop it from happening. And the truth is while the EU would not tolerate a war, on an individual state wise the other nations in europe, barring france or germany, wouldnt give two damns about a full northern Irish war and of those two only france would be likely to act upon it, (or more likely shout the loudest), the Germans being too preoccupied with thier own concerns.
ReplyDeleteIn my Cynesism I now thought this... the only good that can come of a War over Ulster is that perhaps it would finally kill the European Union once and for all.
ReplyDeleteMy prefered ideal woudl be to dissolve the current UK and Republic of Ireland, and create a new COnfederate Kingdom fo the British Isles.
If only Camelot coudl be its Capital...
I appreciate the British Empire for helping us out but I also know that the Dutch Republic would have conquered us if Elizabeth I had not had to pull her troops out to deal with that big rebellion in Ireland. I don't like to see countries divided but if the people in North Ireland don't want to be with the rest of the country it seems wrong to force them, just as wrong as forcing the rest to be British was.
ReplyDeleteAway with this nonsense. We would fight and die to defend our British brothers in Northern Ireland. British is British whether its physically attatched to a republic or not. The British people in Northern Ireland, the Unionists, cannot be betrayed and their country torn from them. We will never surrender to damned terrorists.
ReplyDeleteYou realize though that by stressing over and over that the Unionists are British that you only reaffirm the opinion of the majority that it is not therefore "their country". Anyway, this is why I have given up on both sides of this coin. It is that very attitude which prevented the whole of Ireland from remaining under the British Crown. Queen Elizabeth II could very well be Queen of Ireland today had not the Unionists blocked home rule for Ireland under the British Crown when London and the nationalists agreed to it.
ReplyDelete"I may have to check again but does not Mr. Adams at least claim to be a Roman Catholic?"
ReplyDeleteHe has said doesn't believe in God, so no. Besides which Sinn Féin/IRA are a Marxist-Leninist organisation. The onus for ending partition is not on the Dublin Government. Read the text of the Good Friday Agreement for clarification.
A military invasion/annexation of Northern Ireland by the Republic of Ireland is a fantasy. It would have no chance of success. Especially not with a Conservative government in power. The Irish PM is not a mad General Galtieri type.
Well he wouldn't be the first Irish republican to say he's "Catholic" and doesn't believe in God. As for the invasion fantasy, I said as much at the outset.
ReplyDelete