Hi Siobhan. What a lovely story. And yes, I remember ‘81.
In particular, I admire your working for others from within a union. I am on the right myself - an ACT voter, so we would likely differ on what good solutions look like, but I note your commitment and I see your passion.
We need strong unions and we need strong advocates for vulnerable workers. Union friends of mine bust a gut to do what they do, and their stories would make your hair stand on end. Well, probably not yours.
This is a well-written piece Siobhan and I understand where you're coming from. But I think you gravely underestimate the strength and conviction of Unionism in Northern Ireland. This has been the case since the 1880s when Liberals understandably thought that Home Rule didn't mark the end of the world and believed the Ulster Protestants should get over it. The passion for unification is strongest in Catholic (London)derry. The further you get from the border, the less interested the Irish themselves are in unification. If NI has a referendum for unification and it's lost (highly likely) what would you say then? The best arguments for unification are prosperity and secularisation in Ireland, and ossified, bigoted, homophobic Brexiting DUP types in NI alienating smarter younger people. Let's hope support for the DUP will wear down, but like the achievement of peace in the late 90s, it will take a good while yet.
Hi Siobhan. What a lovely story. And yes, I remember ‘81.
In particular, I admire your working for others from within a union. I am on the right myself - an ACT voter, so we would likely differ on what good solutions look like, but I note your commitment and I see your passion.
We need strong unions and we need strong advocates for vulnerable workers. Union friends of mine bust a gut to do what they do, and their stories would make your hair stand on end. Well, probably not yours.
Anyway, I appreciate what you do. Onya!
John
This is a well-written piece Siobhan and I understand where you're coming from. But I think you gravely underestimate the strength and conviction of Unionism in Northern Ireland. This has been the case since the 1880s when Liberals understandably thought that Home Rule didn't mark the end of the world and believed the Ulster Protestants should get over it. The passion for unification is strongest in Catholic (London)derry. The further you get from the border, the less interested the Irish themselves are in unification. If NI has a referendum for unification and it's lost (highly likely) what would you say then? The best arguments for unification are prosperity and secularisation in Ireland, and ossified, bigoted, homophobic Brexiting DUP types in NI alienating smarter younger people. Let's hope support for the DUP will wear down, but like the achievement of peace in the late 90s, it will take a good while yet.