There should not be a British Army barracks in Antrim, no more than there should be one in Ardee or Athlone. The question for Irish Republicans is how do we get rid of them?
Most times in our history when Irish people exercised their legitimate right to engage in armed struggle against the British, it ended in glorious defeat. Only twice did Republicans get an honourable draw.
The first time, in the period 1916—21, when, to paraphrase Connolly, constitutional measures were used in ordinary times (by-elections and the 1918 British general election) and revolutionary measures were used in extraordinary times (the Easter Rising and the Tan War), our leadership was ideologically weak and divided. Collins and the dual monarchist Griffith were no match for Lloyd George and his negotiating team. This led to the disaster of partition and two deeply conservative states, one ruled by a Protestant parliament for a Protestant people.
The second time was in the recent conflict, when republicans again espoused the spirit of Connolly the British did their damndest to crush Republicanism but the IRA dragged them kicking and screaming to the negotiating table. This time the Republican leadership is a match for anyone.
Let’s examine what Republicans have achieved so far. One party Unionist rule, the Orange State, is gone and, despite the wishful thinking of Jim Allister and Mark Durkan, it ain’t coming back. The RUC, too, has gone. In its place we have a far from perfect PSNI. It would be churlish indeed not to acknowledge the sea change in policing in the Six Counties. 75% + of PSNI officers were never in the RUC and carry no emotional baggage for the old, sectarian force. When the time comes, they will merge seamlessly into an All- Ireland police service.
True, the British are still here and our country is still divided, but reunification is a work in progress.
Anyone who is genuinely interested in winning the Irish Freedom Struggle should stand shoulder to shoulder with Sinn Féin, who are working day in day out, north and south to achieve that goal. The way forward in 2009 is to build political—including electoral—strength, to make strategic alliances and to reach out to all our people, most particularly that section of our Nation that describes itself as Unionist.
We have been less than brilliant in the past at explaining that when we say “Brits Out”, we don’t mean them. Here in Newry and elsewhere, many ordinary, decent people from a Unionist background use our excellent constituency service and are made very welcome in our offices.
The second time was in the recent conflict, when republicans again espoused the spirit of Connolly the British did their damndest to crush Republicanism but the IRA dragged them kicking and screaming to the negotiating table. This time the Republican leadership is a match for anyone.
Let’s examine what Republicans have achieved so far. One party Unionist rule, the Orange State, is gone and, despite the wishful thinking of Jim Allister and Mark Durkan, it ain’t coming back. The RUC, too, has gone. In its place we have a far from perfect PSNI. It would be churlish indeed not to acknowledge the sea change in policing in the Six Counties. 75% + of PSNI officers were never in the RUC and carry no emotional baggage for the old, sectarian force. When the time comes, they will merge seamlessly into an All- Ireland police service.
True, the British are still here and our country is still divided, but reunification is a work in progress.
Anyone who is genuinely interested in winning the Irish Freedom Struggle should stand shoulder to shoulder with Sinn Féin, who are working day in day out, north and south to achieve that goal. The way forward in 2009 is to build political—including electoral—strength, to make strategic alliances and to reach out to all our people, most particularly that section of our Nation that describes itself as Unionist.
We have been less than brilliant in the past at explaining that when we say “Brits Out”, we don’t mean them. Here in Newry and elsewhere, many ordinary, decent people from a Unionist background use our excellent constituency service and are made very welcome in our offices.
That is Outreach.
Anyone who is concerned about the direction the Republican Movement is going, whether they are former activists who have drifted away and do not have their finger on the pulse or people who may feel inclined to sympathise with the micro groups should come and talk to us, in a friendly and comradely way.
Finally, I would appeal to young people in particular who may be attracted by militarism for its own sake. They should remember that the real militants and hard liners are those who are working for Freedom, Peace and Justice and have a strategy for achieving it.
Anyone who is concerned about the direction the Republican Movement is going, whether they are former activists who have drifted away and do not have their finger on the pulse or people who may feel inclined to sympathise with the micro groups should come and talk to us, in a friendly and comradely way.
Finally, I would appeal to young people in particular who may be attracted by militarism for its own sake. They should remember that the real militants and hard liners are those who are working for Freedom, Peace and Justice and have a strategy for achieving it.
They are to be found in Sinn Féin and nowhere else.
9 comments:
excellent analysis mickey, it is only a matter of time before they realise the error of their ways!
Seán G
Excellent.
Accurate.
Sensible.
When i say brits out it means the newly built Mi5 base buit in peacetime Ireland, Rir parading through our towns and city's,British helicopters terrorising rural community's,loyalist thugs and sectarian institutions parading hate of nationlists with protection of a 100% unionist policeforce. and have no problem explaining that to any nationalist or unionist.
well said, Mickey
section 31
"When i say brits out it means the newly built Mi5 base buit in peacetime Ireland, Rir parading through our towns and city's,British helicopters terrorising rural community's,loyalist thugs and sectarian institutions parading hate of nationlists with protection of a 100% unionist policeforce. and have no problem explaining that to any nationalist or unionist."
Nice one, you've outlined a meriad of problems.
How you going to sort it out?
"When i say brits out it means the newly built Mi5 base buit in peacetime Ireland, Rir parading through our towns and city's,British helicopters terrorising rural community's,loyalist thugs and sectarian institutions parading hate of nationlists with protection of a 100% unionist policeforce. and have no problem explaining that to any nationalist or unionist."
I agree with your sentiments, that we need 100% separation from Britain, but it's about how we achieve that, getting angry and being blind to the progress that has been made doesn't add anything to our republican objectives.
We have to realise that a garrison of over 27,000 has been reduced to 5,000 and will be further demilitarised, that the Orange state is broken, with the Orange men now having to request permission to march, and whatever about your assertion on the PSNI, the vast majority of people recognise the PSNI are not the RUC, they are not perfect, far from it, and we have a job of work to do, but we need to be united in tackling the problem, not sniping from the side lines.
We do need to campaign against the MI5 base, but also not be naive in thinking that MI5/MI6 will stop operating just because of a base being closed, infact Britain and its intelligence agents are currently operating in the 26 Counties, and in other Countries and will operate in the north when we achieve a United Ireland.
I believe the best way to make further progress on the issues above and to achieve freedom is to weigh in 100% behind the SF peace strategy and to pro-actively work in local communities to empower them and popularise the demand for Irish unity in advance of a referenda.
Colleen
The 26 counties is not a country mi5/mi6 of course operate places there not wanted ive seen james bond too, but in reality nowere in the 26 are they provided with a hq like the 06c presently do,I liked mickey's article alot of home truths i added to it, as im glad others have, but in my vision of Irish unifiction there is no mi5/mi6 hq's or the rest i mentioned, someone asked how i would get rid of them well i will speak up aginst such wrongs now and always have, untill british terrorism is removed from our country, I also believe in weighing in behind sinnfein to achieve Irish unity, as i believe the voice of sinnfein is getting stronger
The 26 is not a country Mi5 will of course operate were there not wanted ive seen james bond,The dont however get a hq built for them in any other part of Ireland other than the 6oc, I liked mickey's article so i added my view points to them as others have and wish that young republicans dont get recruted by any militant groping in this war the british side especially
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