Time for a new approach in the north of Ireland

Posted by Jim on January 5, 2016

by Sean Bresnahan, PRO 1916 Societies

Following the conclusion of yet another pseudo negotiation at Stormont,
its purpose as ever to prop up British rule in the North, it is clear
the status quo in Ireland is incapable of securing forward political
progress. New thinking is required. Partition has failed both the
long-suffering people of the Six Counties and their compatriots to the
South, who likewise endure a reactionary policy spectrum imposed by
external actors. The private deal concocted by the Sinn Fein-DUP
coalition, overseen by London and Dublin, will do nothing to change
that.

As is already the case in the 26-Counties, ordinary men and women in the
North are faced with tightening austerity measures, the lynchpin of the
agreement brokered. The rich are to profit at the expense of working
people, with the slashing of corporation tax to be funded by massive
cuts to welfare, impacting on thousands of already struggling families.
The British government, backed by Dublin, Sinn Fein and the DUP, has
successfully stamped its long-running austerity agenda all over the
deal.

On top of that, once again Britain refuses to admit its ‘Dirty War’,
with ‘national security’ the instrument to avoid full disclosure. That
some agreed to move forward on this basis – effectively losing out on
both sides of the negotiation – is a clear demonstration of who holds
sway in Ireland. It should likewise be noted the Sinn Fein project of
drawing power away from Westminster, supposedly towards regional
decision-making processes, stands in ruin, the handing back of key
powers to London exposing the same as facade.

All of this makes clear the deal in question has been framed to uphold
partitionist government, fulfilling the needs of the British state and
its occupation system, with the people barely an afterthought. Ireland
can achieve so much more and needs a new beginning. As such, the 1916
Societies, through our flagship One Ireland One Vote initiative, seek a
credible alternative to endless negotiation and agreements which ignore
the people.

We call instead for a truly democratic engagement, for an inclusive,
all-Ireland referendum on Irish Unity, where the people determine their
own future, without external impediment. The failed British-run process
must go, to be replaced with a project the people control themselves.