AUGUST 2018

FIRST EDITION

Kate Hoey MP writes exclusively on the Zimbabwean elections

Exclusive interview with rangers legend nacho novo

The ‘’ myth is exposed

And much more…. Inside this issue:

Editorial 3

News Snippets 4-7

The myth of the ‘Glenanne Gang’- 8-9

Kate Hoey MP on Zimbabwean elec- 10-11 tions

In Pictures– Criminalising culture 12-13

Paul Peterson writes on our current 14 Follow us on Twitter prison system @Unionist_Voice Exclusive interview with Rangers leg- 15 end Nacho Novo Editorial Moore Holmes writes on Brexit 16-17 @JamieBrysonCPNI Why Loyalism must oppose the pro- 18 posed legacy structures

‘Progressive’ Pan-Nationalism is try- 19 ing to use Brexit to destroy the union

A Loyalist perspective on the target- 20-21 ing of east bonfires

Alison Blayney writes on the chal- 22 lenges facing women’s education

Legacy Statistics 23

@RealUnionistVoice

www.UnionistVoice.com

Page 2 By Jamie Bryson also community issues that have an ling. Walk into any bookstore and go effect on citizens’ day to day lives. to the Irish history section and you This month’s first edition of our will find shelves and shelves of books Welcome to the first edition of newsletter carries a range of articles written by, or about, Irish republicans. Unionist Voice’s monthly covering a broad spectrum of politi- You will find very little, if any, books downloadable magazine. cal, community and social issues. written by loyalists or unionists. That Unionist Voice began in August These include an exclusive article by story hasn’t been told and Unionist 2017. The concept was to provide prominent Labour MP Kate Hoey, an Voice is currently working to develop grassroots unionism with a platform exclusive interview with Glasgow a mechanism for older generations of to articulate political views and opin- Rangers legend Nacho Novo, a focus loyalists to commit their experiences ions, but also to launch a unionist on Brexit and women’s education on to writing. fight-back to the relentless stream of top of a plethora of news snippets and However, let me be very clear. propaganda emanating from nation- other contributions. There is a vast difference between alism and the wider ‘progressive’ We have reproduced an in-depth writing about experiences, and self- pan-nationalist coalition. critical analysis of the recently released incriminating yourself or others. Of- I am confident in saying that the ‘Glenanne Gang’ film, and highlighted ten for loyalism there has been no initial year of Unionist Voice has the trajectory of the republican propa- distinction between the two. I person- been a success. The site has broken ganda woven throughout such legacy ally would urge all loyalists to keep a number of ‘news’ stories, but most projects. their own counsel in relation to mat- crucially played a key role in rallying I am proud to say that Unionist ters for which they have never been grassroots opposition to the pro- Voice has launched such an ambitious convicted, and instead to focus on posed DUP-Sinn Fein deal. Along- project as our monthly magazine, and telling their stories in the context of side this we have focused heavily on I think the level of contributors sets it hardships faced by their families, the highlighting the legacy imbalance apart within Unionism in terms of a loss of friends or loved ones and of and keenly followed the Loughinis- dedicated publication. more light hearted memories of com- land case through the courts, being Our plans for the next year are munity camaraderie. If such experi- the only site to consistently highlight numerous, and we have mapped out ences aren’t properly documented and the mistruths being spread within an ambitious strategic development shared, then not only will the one- the mainstream media. We were plan for Unionist Voice. This in- sided republican legacy narrative as- eventually vindicated on this front cludes, as part of our re-launched site, sume a pseudo ‘factual’ status, but when it became clear that Mr Justice providing regular email bulletins to those memories, experiences and Weir had not previously represented those that wish to sign up. In the hardships will die with the ‘conflict any of the applicants in the coming months we also plan to host a generation’ of loyalism. Loughinisland judicial review case. number of discussions which will be Finally, we are passionate about In November we launched Un- available to view on YouTube. These encouraging political engagement ionist Voice Policy Studies, a grass- discussions will bring together grass- within grassroots unionism, especially roots unionist think-tank designed roots unionism and critical voices within a younger generation. As such to debate innovative policy ideas. from within journalism, civic society we are always keen to hear from any We provided a substantive written and the legal sector to debate live po- young unionists that have an interest submission to the litical issues. This, we hope, will pro- in journalism or digital media, or who Affairs Committee at Westminster vide a further forum for grassroots simply want to engage in debate and and were invited to give verbal evi- unionism to engage in the ‘battle of commit their ideas to writing. dence to the committee sitting in the ideas’ and to formulate and develop Thank you for taking the time to Thatcher Room in Westminster. political positions that can advance download or purchase our first edi- Unionist Voice exists to allow the cause of unionism. tion. We hope you will join with us disenfranchised sections of union- One of our strategic objectives is over the coming months and years to ism to have a platform and the addressing the one sided legacy narra- build a strong unionist voice. space to debate and discuss not only tive through the medium of storytel- the political issues of the day, but Page 3 “It has been interesting 2 (sic) Niall O’Donnghalie stung by Shinerbot criticism watch the impact SINN FEIN senator Niall of their prominent mem- party would operate an of dehumanising O’Donnghaile took to twit- bers, from Short Strand, anonymous site to troll ter recently to complain administers the online troll- political opponents? nature of about Sinn Fein social me- ing site ‘LAD’. Is it really Shinnerbot myth dia activists being labeled appropriate that a political play out over the ‘Shinerbots’. The Short Strand man last few days.” even went so far as to pre- sent the ‘Shinerbots’ as Niall online victims. This is bi- O’Donnghalie zarre given that Sinn Fein takes to Twitter are not only prolific trol- lers, with O’Donnghalie to complain encouraging other Sinn about Sinn Fein Fein members to troll po- litical opponents, but one trolls being

challenged. Foster again rules out standalone Irish language act THE DUP leader Arlene The comments come as able. Foster has again ruled out SF demanded that the pre- Opposition to any form “No, absolutely any stand alone Irish Lan- vious ’deal’ was the base- of Irish language act was not. It wasn’t a guage Act. line for any further talks. reaffirmed by the largest Speaking on BBC Good Grassroots unionism sent a unionist grassroots organi- sensible or Morning Ulster on 1 Au- clear message to the DUP sation, the Orange Order balanced deal gust, Ms Foster made clear at the time of the previous on the 12th July. back in February, that there were no circum- proposed ’deal’, which later The unionist commu- stances in which she could collapsed, and this message nity will not accept or tol- so I cant see how support a standalone Irish was that no form of Irish erate any further conces- it would be a language act. language act was accept- sions to Sinn Fein. sensible or balanced deal Sinn Fein demand media censorship of ‘unhelpful’ unionists today.” SINN FEIN have stepped son McCausland. In the panels with unelected un- up attempts to force the case of Mr Bryson and Mr ionists such as Sophie mainstream media to boy- McCausland Sinn Fein Long and Linda Ervine. MLA on whether cott unionist voices of claim this is because they It appears Sinn Fein’s the February which they do not approve. are unelected. This is de- real position is that they deal would be a Sinn Fein press officer spite the fact that Sinn Fein want to censor ‘unhelpful’ Sean Maguire has repeat- regularly engage with un- unionists and amplify those baseline for edly told BBC producers elected nationalist com- they deem to be ‘helpful’ further talks that Sinn Fein will not ap- mentators such as Chris unionists. This coming with Sinn Fein. pear on programs with Un- Donnelly, Andree Murphy from a party that cried ionist Voice editor Jamie and Allison Morris. ‘censorship’ for years and Bryson, Jim Allister or Nel- Sinn Fein also share had their voices banned.

Page 4 “Peter Robinson Unionists blast Robinson’s dangerous border poll comments is entitled to his SENIOR DUP MP unionists. SDLP all welcomed Mr own opinion as a Sammy Wilson has blasted The former DUP leader Robinson’s comments. A comments by the party's drew even stronger criti- clear indication perhaps of member of the former leader Peter Robin- cism from East London- how damaging his com- public but I think son. MLA Maurice Brad- ments have proved to be. he is out of touch Speaking at a summer ley who said Mr Robinson Peter Robinson contin- school in the Republic of was “out of touch” with ues to work for property with unionists on Ireland, Mr Robinson said grassroots unionism. developer Paddy Kearney. the ground, that people should prepare Many unionists outside During the Nama scan- certainly for the possibility of a of the DUP, including the dal the then DUP leader United Ireland and accept UUP’s Lord Empey and denied any relationship unionists in my the result. TUV leader Jim Allister, with Mr Kearney. His constituency Sammy Wilson branded also reacted furiously to the claim was widely rejected would not share his comments “dangerous, comments. and since leaving office disturbing” and “out of Unsurprisingly Sinn Robinson has taken up a Peter Robinson’s kilter” with the majority of Fein, Alliance and the formal post with Kearney. views.”

DUP East Manchester Arena Islamic bomber was rescued by Royal Navy Londonderry THE ISLAMIC terrorist other persons were taken At the time of his res- MLA Maurice that bombed the Manches- to Malta from where they cue Abedi was on list of ter Arena, killing 22 inno- then caught a flight back to ‘stranded’ citizens who Bradley on Peter cent people, was previously the . were to be rescued. Robinson’s rescued by the Royal Navy. The Islamic terrorist He returned to the UK United Ireland Salaman Abedi was 19 was on a security services and plotted the brutal and years old when he boarded watchlist when he travelled barbaric Islamic terror at- the HMS Enterprise in to Libya, but was taken of tack on the Manchester Tripoli in 2014. the list around a month Arena which killed 22 peo- “Here we have a It is understood that prior to his rescue by the ple including women and Abedi and around 100 Royal Navy. children. former leader of unionism urging preparation for NIO Legacy consultation still open for submissions fulfillment of THE NORTHERN misrepresented, or entirely can do so by emailing leg- the republican IIRELAND Office legacy absent. acy- dream.” consultation is open for Nationalism is full of [email protected] just over another month. publicly funded ‘legacy’ or by writing to the Legacy TUV Leader Jim The consultation ac- groups such as Relatives Policy Team, NIO, Belfast cepts submissions from for Justice and the Pat T4 3SH. You can also Allister on Peter anyone. Unionism has tra- Finucane Centre. It is vital complete a form online by Robinson ditionally been slow to en- unionism challenges the visiting www.gov.uk/nio. gage with such consultation extremely dangerous legacy It is crucial that union- processes and this has of- proposals. ism engages in the consul- ten lead to the grassroots Anyone wishing to re- tation and puts forward the unionist viewpoint being quest a submission form case for legacy balance.

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“Maggie Thatcher would turn in Bloody Sunday veteran breaks silence on legacy ‘betrayal’ her grave if she The veteran, who was run letters. knew what they recently interrogated in Despite 90% of trou- relation to events on bles related fatalities being were doing to her Bloody Sunday in 1972, attributed to non-state boys..” slammed the Governments groups, the majority of ‘betrayal’ of which were carried out by An Operation veterans. the IRA, and only 10% Banner veteran There is growing anger attributed to the state, 30% at the one-sided witch hunt of the PSNI’s legacy speaking on the against former members of caseload is focused on the witch hunt the armed forces that actions of the State. against those A BRITISH ARMY vet- served in Northern Ireland, There were around eran has spoken out about whilst IRA terrorists have 47,000 troubles related that served in the relentless witch hunt benefitted from a de-facto ‘incidents’, only 2% of Northern Ireland against former members of amnesty in the form of which are attributable to the Armed Forces. Royal Pardons and on the the state.

“The border poll ‘Hooded’ man found guilty of IRA activity in question should years and nine months im- The interrogations cen- be put to one side prisonment. tered on allegations that Mr Hannaway was the Gardi had been tipped until the dangers convicted after the court off by an informer which of Brexit are found he had a “central had lead to IRA mitigated .” KEVIN HANNAWAY, role” in interrogations car- ‘operations’ being foiled by one of the so-called ried out by the IRA at a the Gardi. Mary-Lou ‘hooded men’ has been house in Castleknock in The conviction of Han- found guilty by Dublin’s Dublin. Gardi set up listen- naway will raise further McDonald 5:36pm non-jury Special Criminal ing devices at the property questions about the contin- Monday 30 Court of helping the IRA and arrested five men. ued existence of the IRA. August 2018 and sentenced to three

Mary-Lou McDonald forced into border poll u-turn “Sinn Fein wants SINN FEIN leader Mary- versed on Tuesday morn- previous evening. Lou McDonald appears to ing when the party leader Many have pointed to to see a Border have been forced into a issued a statement saying the fact that Gerry Kelly Poll as soon as humiliating u-turn by hard- that Sinn Fein wants a bor- was sent out to rebuff the possible.” line elements controlling der poll “as soon as possi- leader as an example of the the party. ble”. IRA Army Council voicing Mary-Lou On Monday evening Ms Former IRA ‘Adjutant their disapproval with Ms McDonald said that a refer- General’ Gerry Kelly also McDonald’s comments. McDonald endum on Irish unity done a round of interviews A recent PSNI assess- 11:56am Tuesday should not be held until on Tuesday, directly con- ment re-affirmed the 2015 31 August 2018 after Brexit. This position tradicting the comments of position that the IRA con- was then dramatically re- Mary-Lou McDonald the tinue to ‘direct’ Sinn Fein.

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“The people who Sinn Fein’s position on EU referendums revealed came out and SINN FEIN voted no in Maastricht Treaty 1992 ‘special status’ which would voted ‘no’ in the every European Union Nice Treaty I 2001 have seen Northern Ireland referenda in both Northern Nice Treaty II 2002 subsumed into an eco- South form the Ireland and the Republic of Lisbon Treaty I 2008 nomic United Ireland real conscience of Ireland from 1972 until the Lisbon Treaty II 2009 within the Customs terri- the Irish nation 2016 Brexit referendum Fiscal Compact 2012 tory of the European Un- when they dramatically ion. and are saying changed their position. Sinn Fein’s ‘progressive Instead Brexit will put that despite the Sinn Fein voted no in Europeanism’ only became an end to nationalism’s all- purported the following referendums: fanatical after the UK Ireland ‘harmonisation’ Accession to the EU Brexit referendum of 2016, agenda due to the fact that benefits of the 1972 when the republican party a border will be required EU, their souls, UK membership refer- saw an opportunity to try between the UK and the their endum 1973 and wedge Northern Ire- EU and quite possibly sig- Single European Act land out of the United nal the end of the failed sovereignty, are 1987 Kingdom via a form of Belfast Agreement. not for sale.”

Ex-member of the Charity commission probes funding given to dissident groups IRA Army THE CHARITY COM- trust after the IRSP offices sation linked to RNU. This Council and MIISSION is investigating were raided in April 2017 funding continued despite donations made by the Jo- in connection with criminal the offices being used to former Sinn Fein seph Rowntree trust to enterprises, including drug print terrorist material and Director of Teach Na Failte, an INLA dealing and prostitution. a member of staff being Publicity Danny linked ex-prisoners group Unionist Voice has also convicted in court in con- which shares its offices on previously highlighted nection with serious stalk- Morrison the Falls Road with the funding provided to Con- ing of a woman. It is be- INLA’s political wing. flict Research Services Ire- lieved the particular em- The watchdog is de- land, a dissident linked ployee has since been “The Romanian manding answers from the ‘restorative justice’ organi- sacked by the organisation. gang-master and O’Muilleoir have been working PSNI raise ‘concerns’ with Romanian families together in AFTER UNIONIST munity. now taking an interest, all Voice recently exposed the The Romanian gang- thanks to the issue being South Belfast to exploitation of the Roma- master and O’Muilleoir highlighted by Unionist try and win nian community in South have been working to- Voice. votes for the Belfast by Nicolae Nicola gether in South Belfast to PSNI left a card with and Sinn Fein’s Mairtin try and win votes for the Romanians they visited and IRA controlled O’Muilleoir the PSNI vis- IRA controlled party. urged them to contact party.” ited a number of Romanian It is understood there them if they are threatened families to enquire about are a number of main- and intimidated. It is un- Exploitation in their safety and whether stream media outlets inves- derstood a number are South Belfast they are being mistreated tigating the claims and it is considering making state- by others within their com- obvious that the PSNI are ments. exposed

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A Republican myth – ‘Glenanne Gang’ film is IRA propaganda

By Jamie Bryson

In August 2018 a new film will premier. and UDR men died at the hands of young The film is reported as being It is directed by the son of IRA North- IRA recruits alienated from the state.” The based upon the actions of the ern commander Sean ‘Spike’ Murray, subtle message from the introduction, ‘Glenanne gang’. Yet no such or- also called Sean Murray. The film pur- the one sided nature of the research ganisation ever existed. In fact the ports to investigate the so called within the book, and the conclusion is term ‘Glenanne gang’ only started ‘Glenanne gang’. that the actions of the IRA flowed di- being used, at the earliest, in the This film is based largely upon alle- rectly from the actions of the British late 1990s. Therefore the funda- gations made in the book Lethal Allies state, therefore providing some form of mental premise of the film is and interviews with a convicted mur- justification to the IRA’s terrorist cam- flawed because it, and Lethal Allies derer, . paign. before it, has created an overarch- The film also includes contributions Disgracefully this narrative refer- ing ‘gang’ to which all loyalist inci- from ‘caseworker’, ences the sectarian IRA slaughter car- dents in that particular area can be Paul O’Connor. It has previously been ried out at Kingsmill, and the murders attributed. alleged that Mr O’Connor is in receipt of UDR, RUC and British Soldiers, and The film relies heavily upon of an OTR letter in connection with the suggests that these events were ulti- allegations made in a 1999 affidavit murder of a child. mately the fault of the British State due by John Weir. It is rather bizarre Within Ms Cadwallader’s book, Le- to the republican terrorists being moti- that for those continually stating thal Allies, there is a subtle revelation as vated by ‘collusion’ between the British that the state cannot be trusted, to the real narrative underpinning the State and loyalists. and who continually perpetuate the work of republican legacy activists, and This highlights the quite blatant politically motivated collusion nar- their publicly funded groups such as the agenda at the heart of republicanism’s rative,that they would all of a sud- Pat Finucane Centre (PFC) and Rela- legacy agenda; to present IRA terrorism den hold up a former RUC officer tives For Justice (RFJ) . as a justified response to the actions of and a convicted murder as a bea- Within the book’s introduction Ms the British State. In order to bolster this con of truth and justice. Cadwallader writes as follows; narrative, republicanism puts much Of course, many of the key “Collusion does not resolve conflict- it fuels it. emphasis on attributing every action persons named are no longer alive The Historical Enquiries Team (HET) says carried out by loyalists to ‘collusion’, including Robert McConnell, that a belief among the nationalist community therefore making the British State ulti- James Mitchell, , RJ was taking place ‘contributed to the spiralling mately accountable for all actions car- Kerr and many others. They there- violence in the area’ and ‘UDR Soldiers, ried out during the conflict. fore have no opportunity to defend whether on or off duty, were considered prime This is all, of course, not just about themselves. It is also worth point- targets for republican paramilitaries’.” re-writing the past in order to justify ing out that the Pat Finucane Cen- At page 16 of her book ‘Lethal Al- and sanitise the murderous acts of ter- tre and Relatives For Justice re- lies’, Ann Cadwallader is remarkably rorism carried out by the IRA. The fused to call for the identities of clear about the one sided nature of her logical conclusion flowing from the the IRA OTRs and their alleged research for the book. She writes “I do ‘bad’ British and the ‘good’ IRA narra- crimes to be made public, citing not pretend to focus here, however, on anything tive is that the only way to resolve po- their right to due process, yet they other than loyalist violence and the members of litical conflict is for the removal of the take no issue in continually making one particular, and vicious gang.” British presence from Northern Ire- unproven allegations against loyal- And in Lethal Allies conclusion, ref- land. This is the very core of republi- ists and former members of the erencing the allegations of collusion per- canism’s argument for a United Ireland. security forces. John Weir is a con- petuated within the book, it says; Therefore when assessing the pur- victed murderer, a fact acknowl- “This is a debt the British government owes pose of Sean Murray’s new film, one edged at paragraph 2 of his 1999 the entire Northern Ireland community. Not need only turn to Lethal Allies to un- affidavit, who offered to give evi- only Catholics and nationalists died as a result derstand the republican legacy agenda dence against Robin Jackson and of this Irish mutation of British counter- and the narrative that underpins all re- RJ Kerr, and implicate them in insurgency strategy. search carried out by republican activ- murder, if the charges against him Protestants and unionists died too- and not ists. were dropped. Therefore the self- only the ten who died at Kingsmill in the IRA However, it is prudent to highlight ish motivation of Weir was plain to response to the deaths in the Reavey and the fanciful nature of many of the alle- see from the moment he was O’Dowd families. Hundreds of RUC officers gations contained within the film. charged.

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At this point Weir did not feel it Therefore why do the allegations of Weir, a you believe existed? prudent to make any of the further convicted murderer, carry more weight Weir’s affidavit was published allegations that later appeared in his than the denials of Mr McClure? by the Barron report in 2003. This 1999 affidavit. Let us think on that. Following his 1999 affidavit Weir met report was relied upon heavily by Here is a man offering to give evi- with Don Mullan for his book ‘The Dublin Anne Cadwallader in Lethal Allies. dence against Robin Jackson and RJ and Bombings’, during this Indeed within the book Ms Cad- Kerr, therefore clearly a man desper- meeting Mr Mullan claims at page 217 of wallader states that following his ate to do anything in order to save his book that Weir sought to distance enquires, Judge Barron was in no himself from an impending murder McClure (referred to in the book as Officer doubt that loyalists were actively charge. Yet if Weir’s later affidavit A) from the bombings, and claimed that protected by the security forces. was to be believed, he was also in Officer A was “not directly involved” in the Yet within this report, in refer- possession of information that could bombings. This therefore, by his own ad- ence to Robin Jackson and others, have lead to dozens of loyalists and mission, moves Weir’s alleged information Judge Barron says they were security force members being to, at the very least, third-hand sources and “reliably said to have relationships charged with the most serious thus places a serious question mark over its with British Intelligence and/or RUC crimes, including the Dublin and already questionable credibility. Special Branch officers. It is reasonable to Monaghan bombings, yet it never If we are however to believe Weir’s affi- assume that exchanges of information crossed his mind to leverage this took place.” officers. It is reason- information in furtherance of his able to assume that exchanges objective, namely to be granted of information took place.” immunity? Therefore in Judge Barron’s The starting point of the own words it was ‘reliably ‘collusion’, according to Weir, is a said’ loyalists had relation- ‘realisation’ that members of the ships with the security security forces were involved in forces. He did not say he what he describes at loyalist ter- was in no doubt that loyal- rorism. This was apparently ists were actively protected. ‘confirmed’ when a fellow RUC The account put forward in officer firstly informed him that Lethal Allies is quite simply James Mitchell was a loyalist para- a convenient interpretation military, and then expressed con- applied to Judge Barron’s cern that Mr Mitchell or others words, and is not a true or may have been murdered. accurate reflection of what Therefore, if we are to believe he actually said. Weir, collusion was ‘confirmed’ It is also prudent to note by this interaction- which was that Judge Barron said it based upon hearsay and a fellow was “reasonable to assume that officer expressing concern loyal- exchanges of information took ists may have been murdered. It place“. Therefore in his own was therefore ‘confirmed’ in his words the Judge is merely mind that there was collusion, long davit, then he was brought to a meeting at a assuming that there was ‘collusion’. before any alleged associates told house owned by an individual called Gary This is quite a long way short of him about it. This somewhat bizarre Armstrong, prior to him joining what re- him apparently being in ‘no doubt’, admission is contained at paragraph publicans have termed the ‘Glenanne gang’. as alleged by Ms Cadwallader. 6 of his affidavit. At this meeting, whereby a ‘gang’ of sup- It is abundantly clear that the Of course, almost all of Weir’s posedly professional killers and bombers latest republican legacy film, this affidavit is based on hearsay. For were inviting the as yet un-blooded and un- time focused on the so-called example, at paragraph 13 he outlines trusted Weir to consider joining them, ‘Glenanne gang’, is simply another how then RUC officer Laurence those present decided to provide their po- attempt at furthering the legacy McClure had told him about the tential new recruit with a vast overview of agenda of those wholly committed Dublin and Monaghan bombings, the intricate details of every action they had to not only re-writing the past, but and he then goes on- without pro- carried out. Actions that could have landed in doing so providing a justification viding a shred of evidence- to state them all in prison for the rest of their lives. for the murderous deeds of the these allegations as fact. Laurence Does this really sound like the profession- IRA. McClure, in a television documen- ally organised and secretive group of killers tary, denied all of these allegations. that the republican narrative would have

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Standing Strong for Democracy in Zimbabwe

Former Government Junior Minister and current Labour MP Kate Hoey writes exclusively for Union- ist Voice on her role as Chair of the UK All-Party Zimbabwe group. Kate recently visited Zimbabwe to observe their election.

OVER THE last few weeks I have deed the once common police road Alliance had not got the resources escaped from the doom mongers of blocks where drivers had to hand over to even start to compete with the the zealot Remainers and their dire money were virtually non-existent. The Governing Party. Virtually no-one warnings about life after Brexit to con- ousting of Mugabe last year by the mili- felt the Zimbabwean Electoral centrate on the elections in Zimbabwe. tary led to hundreds of thousands of Commission was independent of At the beginning of June along with Zimbabweans coming out onto the Government but hopes were high Conor Burns MP I spent time in Ha- streets to celebrate. The feeling that that despite all this and particularly rare and Bulawayo on behalf of the change had happened was widespread with the presence of international Commonwealth Parliamentary Asso- and overall there was an optimism observers there could still be a free ciation UK branch to report on the amongst the general public that this and fair election. likelihood of a free and fair election on would continue. The most common re- On election day there were July 3oth. mark of the ‘man/woman on the street huge queues to vote and the turn We met with a wide range of people was “We want real change”! There was out was the highest ever. At the from Government, opposition political huge anticipation about change coming polling stations the results were parties, business and civil society as in the election. posted outside and the count was well as speaking to Zimbabweans go- But throughout common concerns done for Parliament at the same ing about their daily life both in Harare about the election were expressed to us - time as the Presidential election. and Bulaway. the electoral roll being rigged; Military Yet it took 4 days for the Presiden- It is worth remembering that elec- imbedded out of uniform in the rural tial result to be announced and tions in Zimbabwe since 2002 have areas; fear of reprisals as happened last then Mnangagwa was declared the been both violent and rigged. In 2008, time when the vote showed ZanuPF had winner and with 0.8 per cent more the ZEC took more than 5 weeks to not been supported. The failure to en- than was needed for a run off. The declare a result and more than 270 ac- sure access to the state media by the op- opposition have identified massive tivists, almost all belonging to the op- position and particularly in the country- discrepancies in the vote—one position Movement for Democratic side where people relied only on state example is in Mashonaland central Change (MDC) were killed. The last radio. Virtually no coverage of the huge where by 5pm 150,000 people had national polls in 2013 were relatively Nelson Chamisa (Leader of the MDC voted but in the next two hours peaceful but internationally regarded as Alliance) rally’s on state television and until polls closed ZEC said rigged. There was gross manipulation radio 300,000 people voted!! Just one of of the voters roll in favour of rural vot- The main roads leading into Bula- many outrageous fixes by ZEC. ers where Zanu PF have the greatest wayo and Harare were awash with large Without doubt the election has support. billboards and posters of Mnangagwa been cleverly rigged but even Without doubt there was a different and there is little doubt that the blurring worse is the fact that it is the mili- atmosphere in Zimbabwe. Gone were of the state with Zanu PF meant huge tary that is behind the regime and the police and army on the streets. In- extra resources for ZanuPF. The MDC they are now unleashing a similar

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Chamisa (Leader of the and the turn out was the rigged but even worse is “The courage MDC Alliance) rally’s on highest ever. At the polling the fact that it is the mili- and self state television and radio stations the results were tary that is behind the re- The main roads leading posted outside and the gime and they are now sacrifice of into Bulawayo and Harare count was done for Parlia- unleashing a similar fear were awash with large bill- ment at the same time as and terror campaign on the boards and posters of the Presidential election. leading opposition activists Mnangagwa and there is Yet it took 4 days for the and curbing all protests by Zimbabwean little doubt that the blur- Presidential result to be killing and arresting inno- ring of the state with Zanu announced and then cent Zimbabweans. people is PF meant huge extra re- Mnangagwa was declared The courage and self sources for ZanuPF. The the winner and with 0.8 per sacrifice of the Zimbab- humbling to MDC Alliance had not got cent more than was needed wean people is humbling to the resources to even start for a run off. The opposi- behold. We,in the interna- behold” to compete with the Gov- tion have identified mas- tional community cannot erning Party. Virtually no- sive discrepancies in the accept the result of the one felt the Zimbabwean vote—one example is in election and the Uk gov- Electoral Commission was Mashonaland central ernment must take a lead independent of Govern- where by 5pm 150,000 to ensure that the Zimbab- ment but hopes were high people had voted but in the wean government is seen that despite all this and next two hours until polls for what it is a mark 2 particularly with the pres- closed ZEC said 300,000 Mugabe regime and one ence of international ob- people voted!! Just one of that deserves no support servers there could still be many outrageous fixes by whatsoever. “We in the a free and fair election. ZEC. On election day there Without doubt the elec- Kate Hoey MP International were huge queues to vote tion has been cleverly community cannot accept Hoey raises legacy imbalance with Secretary of State the result of the election Labour MP Kate Hoey The PSNI have advised Kate Hoey MP also recently challenged the that those who were in- pressed the Secretary of and the UK Northern Ireland Secretary jured during State on what she intends of State, Karen Bradley, on Government will not have their cases to do to protect our vet- the imbalance in regards to re-investigated under the erans who served under must take the legacy . proposed new legacy . The Ms Hoey highlighted structure. Secretary of State agreed lead to ensure the statistics, which in- The only cases to be that there was currently a the cluded the fact that 98% of re-investigated are those legacy imbalance with a troubles related incidents which resulted in fatali- disproportionate focus Zimbabwean were carried out by non- ties. This means someone on the state. Karen Brad- state groups, the majority blown up in an IRA ley urged people to take Government of which were the work of bomb, but who did not part in the ongoing con- the IRA, and yet 30% of is seen for die, would be unable to sultation on the legacy legacy investigations focus have their case investi- bill. what it is” on the State. gated by the PSNI under The consultation re- The Labour MP also the new Stormont House mains open until the end raised serious concerns in structures. of the month. regards to investigations.

Page 11 People are sent to prison as a punishment, not to be punished writes Paul Peterson

“It is said that no one truly tion among prison officers and pris- fore, we should be pushing for tangi- knows a nation until one has oners is extremely high. ble changes that bring benefit to them been inside its jails. A nation 3. Rising tensions between prison- and to all. should not be judged by how it ers and prison staff could lead to fur- Within the terms of the failed treats its highest citizens, but its ther riots or altercations, simply be- ‘Belfast Agreement’ it was stated: ‘The lowest ones.” cause officers are forced to implement governments’ continue to recognise ‘go-slow’ or ‘lock-down’ procedures the importance of measures to facili- Words of the revolutionary and for- because the system cannot cope with tate the reintegration of prisoners into mer South African President the late the demands on its limited resources. the community by providing support Nelson Mandela, himself once incar- 4. After numerous failed attempts (both prior to) and after release, in- cerated in penitentiaries, including to stem the tide of illicit drugs infil- cluding assistance directed towards among others the infamous Robben trating prison security, each prison is availing of employment opportunities, Island prison, speaks a message rife with narcotics, openly sold to in- re-training and / or re-skilling and which every nation should take heed mates at usurious rates. further education.’ (Annex B Para 5) of. “It is said that no one truly knows In 20 years, what has been done to If we ponder Mandela’s apho- a nation until one has been inside its demonstrate the ‘governments’ recog- rism in the context of Northern Ire- jails.” nition and support for prisoners? land’s prison regime what does it tell A day spent in any prison in In a 2010 Intercommunity Forum us about our Province and how we Northern Ireland would highlight report ‘Beneath the Mask an Imper- treat our prisoners and our prison these current realities. fect Peace’, presented to Ministers at service personnel? “A nation should not be judged by Stormont, it highlighted among many Frequently we’re led to believe how it treats its highest citizens, but other things, that 64% of men enter- by representatives of the Prison Of- its lowest ones.” ing and / or leaving prison, suffered ficers Association (POA) and Prison How often have we heard it said, from personality disorders. Service Management, that their “People are sent to prison as a pun- What does that say about the level members are under extreme duress ishment, not to be punished?” and yet of support, reform and rehabilitation as they seek to maintain functional- our prison system seems to tie the given to our prisoners? ity within the prison regime, while hands of its officers, thus preventing More men leaving prison than en- facing staff shortages, low pay, secu- them doing much to promote reform tering the system, exit with a new or rity fears and breaches and also poor and rehabilitation of prisoners. more severe drug dependency prob- managerial administration. If prison authorities cannot admin- lem which has a negative impact on Many visitors to Northern Ire- istratively manage their own house wider society. land’s prisons agree that whatever and deliver a proactive program for Is this how we treat our ‘lowest internal pressures the Prison Service change, first for its own personnel and citizens?’ is experiencing, it is undoubtedly then for those they are deemed to care There are many failings within the having a detrimental knock-on ef- for; what chance have our prisoners prison managerial system which need fect upon prisoners and negative got to get the right support they need addressed. bearings on their families. to turn their lives around and become ‘People are sent to prison as a pun- “It is said that no one truly positive contributors to the wider so- ishment not to be punished’, yet we knows a nation until one has been ciety? fail to treat our prisoners with the dig- inside its jails.” Some refurbishment and aestheti- nity, respect and humanity they de- What would an investigative walk cally pleasing renovations may be tak- serve. This needs to change! around or a visit (never mind a sen- ing place within the structural frame- If we in Northern Ireland are tence) tell us about our jails? work of our prisons, but let’s not be judged by how we treat our ‘lowest 1. There is low morale among fooled by the outward appearance; citizens’, then we are all found want- prison officers, among prisoners and our prisons for the sake of our prison- ing. civilian staff working inside the sys- ers, are still in dire need of reform. tem, all of which impacts upon the We need to recognise the prison lives of prisoners and their loved authorities are ours, we have owner- Paul Peterson is a drugs coun- ones. ship of them, and the prisoners sellor who has worked with prison- 2. Suicide / attempted suicides, (though some may view them as the ers & addicts for over 25 years. self-harm, psychosomatic illnesses, lowest of citizens), are our citizens, long term sickness and drug addic- citizens like us, citizens with us; there-

Page 12 Unionist Voice has spoken exclu- Mates. He was never going to get a lutely a winner and nothing else will sively to Rangers legend Nacho reaction from me because he isn't a do. He is a legend as a footballer Novo. The Ibrox hero tells us sensible person, but at the same time player and I have no doubt he will be about the sectarian abuse at Bel- I am not going to run away from a legend as a manager at Rangers." fast International Airport, why he anyone, especially a bully like this After many years living the dream believes Steven Gerrard will be a man. He doesn't scare me." The pur- as a Rangers player, Novo admitted Rangers legend and his disap- pose of the trip was to visit East Bel- he finds it difficult to replace those pointment at being knocked back fast Football Club's growing youth magical moments. When asked to for the Glentoran job. development set up, and the ex- highlight one, he says there are too professional had nothing but praise many to mention, but specifically Nacho Novo was recently the vic- for the club. He said "They are doing talks about the UEFA Cup semi final tim of a tirade of threatening abuse a great job, I was really pleased to and Final. You can as he arrived at Belfast International attend. It is amazing what they have sense this is a man who continues to Airport, the incident was recorded done with the young kids, they do pine for involvement at the highest by the perpetrator himself, Daire not get enough credit for this. I level of the game. Smyth from Downpatrick, and pub- know many people in East Belfast "It is difficult to replace the buzz lished online. I started by asking the and I know they have spent a lot of of being a professional player, I feel Rangers legend how he felt about the incident. very low now. Football was my "A disgrace. It is hard to take life, and especially after my heart when these things happen, how- attack it is more difficult. Foot- ever I am well used to it as it has ball is all I know and am going happened to me so many times. He to try and keep playing in some is not a sensible person, but I way. I am a winner, and I want won't let anyone disrespect me. to win, and I will always push There has been a lot of coverage myself too hard, so I have to be over incidents involving Neil Len- careful with my health. I miss it, non, maybe not so much when it it was the greatest time of my happens to a current or former life playing for the greatest foot- Rangers player." time with the kids trying to build ball club in the world." He continued "I met Neil Len- them up and set them on a path to Whilst he claims his days as a non a few times at charity events professional football, but most im- professional player are most likely and other things, and he is fine, a portantly they are taking the kids of over, he does not rule out a manage- nice person. No player or manager the streets." rial or coaching role. He twice ap- whether Rangers or Celtic should be He also had a word of praise for plied for the Glentoran job but was subjected to abuse and threats." local football talent saying "there is rejected on both occasions. He does- Prior to the incident a number of lots of great football talent in North- n't feel he was treated well by the Celtic fans posed for photos with ern Ireland. It is how they are board of the club. the Ibrox legend, these are genuine coached that matters and I think a He told Unionist Voice "I applied football fans with whom he enjoys lot of that talent could go far in pro- two times for Glentoran but wasn't the banter. On them he said "they fessional football with the right successful. They weren't professional were nice boys, proper football sup- coaching." in how they treated me I believe. I porters. I had banter with them and Nacho Novo makes no secret of believe it as a great club and that a they had banter back, it wasn't nasty his love for Glasgow Rangers, he professional ex player would have or threatening." describes it as simply "the best club delivered success to the club. They In Monday's Belfast Telegraph in the world". He thinks the glory didn't treat me well when I applied Smyth offered a half-hearted apol- days will soon return to Ibrox under for the job." ogy for the incident however Novo Steven Gerrard, and he lavished Despite the set-back, the Ibrox has rejected this saying "I don't ac- praised upon the Liverpool legend. legend remains upbeat and positive cept his so-called apology. He has only given it because of the bad at- "I think he will be a phenomenal about the future. tention he brought on himself. He is manager. I spoke to Stevie earlier in "I will keep looking for avenues sorry about the negative press he the week. He is a quiet lad and he into the game that I love. I will al- brought onto himself, not sorry for knows it is going to go slowly, suc- ways be a Rangers man and I will what he done. He wanted to act cess won't come overnight. But Ste- always love the club. It is the greatest tough and a big man online to his ven Gerrard is a winner, and that is football club in the world." what I like about him. He is abso-

Page 13 “Those who wish Friday Agreement. It was described as “the first ever to see a report to look at the issues, reunification of policies and planning re- quired for the peaceful Ireland are using unity of Ireland.” The Bel- Brexit to advance fast Telegraph headlined, “Northern Ireland could be their dream of a better off financially in a 32-county state” United Ireland – claims new report.” Again, it was another beat of the reunifi- cation drum launching an attack on one of the great- est reasons for Northern Ireland remaining in the UK – economy and fi- nances. For many Unionists this would have been unset- tling. There has always been a relatively unchal- “There is an im- lenged understanding that plicit logic in con- Northern Ireland’s place in the world’s 5th largest econ- tingency planning By Moore Holmes and Unionist political vet- omy is a good thing and and ‘insuring dislocating us from that eran, who would further would have no financial your house’ so to Those who wish to see oxygenate the Republican reward. The report desper- speak” the reunification of Ireland cause by saying Northern ately tried to reverse that are pouncing upon the un- Ireland should prepare for assumption and was again certainty of Brexit and us- reunification. endorsed by many SFIRA ing it to advance their Despite a bombard- members and reunification- dream of a 32-county state. ment of criticisms toward ists. Immediately after the the former DUP leader, Frankly, upon inspec- majority of the British elec- there is an implicit logic in tion, the report is over simplis- torate voted Leave in 2016, contingency planning and tic to the point of amateur, na- Sinn Fein IRA and their “insuring your house” so ively idealistic and completely followers intensified their to speak. That being said, neglects the obvious and ominous efforts in trying to navigate Sammy Wilson put it best “There has al- hardships that come with reuni- a border poll onto the when he described Robin- ways been a rela- fication. frontline of political discus- son’s words as an It attempts to eliminate tively unchal- sion. “invitation for republican Northern Ireland’s £9.2bil- lenged under- Whilst SFIRA have arsonists to burn the house lion deficit by removing all standing that kept plugging away at the down.” Robinson’s comments, the financial contributions idea, the media have grown logical as they are, fail to appre- Northern Ire- Northern Ireland makes numb to their outbursts ciate how they will be used as land’s place in the toward UK defence, UK and the public clearly don’t cannon fodder for the reunifica- debt interest, pensions, and 5th largest econ- share the same appetite or tion agenda and add to the myth central UK accounting omy is a good support for reunification of its inevitability – for that matters. Additionally, it (Queens University Poll in he is rightly criticised. thing” argues for the public sector May 2018 - 59% In favour Around the same time a to be more aligned with of NI in Union; 23% report was published by that of the Republic of Ire- Against). All the more sur- Irish Senator Mark Daly land – reducing its expen- prising therefore that it for the Joint diture and therefore a sig- would be Peter Robinson, Committee on the Imple- nificant part of its work- the former First Minister mentation of the Good force. Page 14 “Unionists must Dr. Morgenroth, a Pro- its advantage. Union must take the fessor of Economics at Unionism must how- mantel. A positive Un- stand up, make Dublin City University, ever take note of the ongo- ionism that belongs to their voices questioned the report say- ing demographics in everyone and is proud of ing he was “surprised and a Northern Ireland and en- the rich history of the heard and little bit bemused” at some gage in the debate. The United Kingdom and its robustly promote of the calculations. He aftermath of the Brexit significant role through- claimed the report failed to referendum has developed out the world. A positive the plethora of mention that “in a unified an even more polarised and Unionism that is not advantages of Ireland, Northern Ireland partisan society that SFIRA afraid to engage in the would be making financial and fellow reunificationists debate, that does not being in this contributions to Dublin,” are seeking to capitalise on. bury its head in the sand and if put into practice, Unionists must stand up, but confronts the chal- great Union” “there could be an increase make their voices heard and lenges head on and dem- in unemployment which robustly promote the plethora of onstrates with reason would have to be paid for.” advantages that being in this and rhetoric just why this The report fails to clar- great Union rewards us with, Union of nations is per- ify whether the UK would not to oxygenate the Republican haps the greatest Union realistically be willing, agenda but to refute it. Not to of all. or legally obliged, to pay comply with the myth of The majority of people NI pensions accrued when inevitable unification but to in Northern Ireland are part of the UK and how contest it. overwhelmingly in favour the public sector could be A form of positive Un- of remaining in the United reduced in such a way that ionism that emphasises Kingdom – a positive Un- “The majority of would save so much the economic, political ionism will raise awareness people in money, when the cost of and social benefits of the of why it should remain so. redundancy and increase of Northern Ireland unemployment would are come with a burdensome upsurge of benefits – not Moore Holmes is a Belfast-based school teacher pas- overwhelmingly to mention the added so- sionate about education, sport and human rights. in favour of cial unrest of many being laid-off. remaining in the Additionally, there was United no telling of what finances must be paid to the Irish Kingdom—a government, what share of positive debt Northern Ireland could take on for the Re- Unionism will public and what adverse effect creating barriers in raise awareness Northern Ireland’s trading of why it should relationship with the mainland UK would have remain so” on the economy. Whilst the report itself is wide of the mark and promises far more than it delivers, I do suspect we will be seeing much more of this type of argument in the near future. The economic benefit to Northern Ireland being in the United Kingdom is so damning to the Republican cause that efforts will be made to reduce its importance and deny Page 15

Why Loyalism must oppose the proposed legacy structures

THERE IS an increasing focus on run in parallel with a criminal investi- mean? This, evidently, is an open door legacy matters amidst the ongoing gation process,and despite Clause 45 for republicans to peddle their version concern around the witch hunt of the proposed Bill stipulating that of Provo truth into the system and against former members of the information received by the proposed beyond this Clause 42 also places a armed forces in relation to Northern Independent Commission on Infor- requirement on the Commission to Ireland troubles related incidents. mation Retrieval would be inadmissi- provide a report on any “patterns and Alongside this there are a num- ble, Clause 45 sub section (4) is very themes” identified. This to all half ber of new legacy bodies proposed clear that police authorities or a coro- sensible observers is little more than a under the terms of the Stormont ner would not be prevented from pur- charter for republican manipulation of House Agreement, and these pro- suing lines of enquiry disclosed by the the truth in pursuit of their political posals are detailed in the current Commission in a report to a family. objective of re-writing the past. legacy consultation process which is This is also explicitly laid out at para- In a wider sense there are clear open to take submissions from any- graph 155 of the legacy consultation problems with the legacy proposals, one within the United Kingdom. explanatory notes on the proposed and no unionist should find them- Nationalists have continually Bill. selves supporting such a dangerous sought to use the legacy process as Therefore information provided to Bill. an extension of their political Approximately 47,000 inci- campaign, and have regularly dents took place during the made pronouncements on their troubles, with 98% of such desire for ‘truth’ and ‘justice’. incidents attributed to terror- These pronouncements run ism and/or counter terrorism. contrary to their actions. Only 2% were attributed to Mary Lou McDonald, in an the state. Despite this the pro- interview with the Newsletter’s posed HIU will not investigate Sam McBride , stated that she any incidents which did not could give no guarantees that lead to fatalities, therefore the IRA would participate in someone seriously injured in any truth recovery process. In- an IRA bomb attack that did deed, given that it is Sinn Fein’s the Commission could, and almost not lead to any fatalities will not have somewhat ludicrous position that certainly would, be used via the back- their case re-investigated. This despite the IRA no longer exist, then corpo- door by using the reports provided as the fact all cases relating to the actions rate IRA participation would in ef- a means to generate new lines of of the State will be re-investigated. fect actually undermine Sinn Fein’s criminal enquiry. Why then would There is a strong argument that a own claims that they have ceased to anyone who had knowledge of, or had failure to re-investigate such incidents exist as an organisational structure. committed, a conflict related offence may be unlawful following the recent Nationalist victims groups, such be foolish enough to open the door to Supreme Court Judgement in the John as Relatives for Justice, are widely inadvertently assisting a criminal Worboys’ case. The Supreme Court accepted to be fronts for Sinn Fein. prosecution against themselves or said; When the UVF decided, via an in- others? “The Metropolitan Police breached the terlocutor, to provide some truth in Despite the obvious dangers in Human Rights of John Worboys’ victims by relation to Ballymurphy, Sinn Fein relation to running truth recovery failing to properly investigate reports of his and their legacy front groups were alongside a criminal investigation crimes.” incredulous. This quite clearly process, there is the further opportu- This could place an obligation on flushed out the fact that truth is not nities for republicans, and their legacy the PSNI to investigate all circa the desired outcome for nationalists, front groups, to use the mechanisms 47,000 troubles related incidents. Such but rather their version of the truth as a Trojan horse to re-write the past. a legal obligation would almost cer- is the ultimate objective. Clause 42 of the proposed Bill tainly ensure that the HIU collapses It would be extremely foolish for makes clear that the report will only under the weight of such a workload, any loyalist to engage in truth recov- be subjected to a standard of testing is and this outcome could very well stem ery under the terms outlined by the so far as the Commission is obliged to the tide in relation to the witch hunt Stormont House Agreement legacy satisfy itself as to the credibility of the against the State. mechanisms. Such mechanisms will information provided. What does this Page 16

A ‘Progressive’ Pan-Nationalist coalition is using Brexit to try and wedge NI out of the UK

Sinn Fein’s outrageous political de- the legitimacy of a UK-wide referen- mands, which deny Northern Ireland dum, but on the other hand champion a government to this very day. the Belfast Agreement as a holy writ. It was no surprise then to see their Alongside this, all of the signato- leader, , standing shoul- ries to the recent Brexit letter were der to shoulder with Sinn Fein’s Mi- supporters of the campaign to repeal chelle O’Neill, the SDLP’s Colum the 8th amendment in the Irish Re- Eastwood and Green Party NI leader public. Yet if the United Kingdom Stephen Agnew in a united front sought to interfere in this democratic IN RECENT months we have against Brexit. decision of a sovereign nation then seen a number of statements by four The demand that Northern Ireland there would be outrage. Northern Ireland political parties on remain in the Customs Union and They cannot have it both ways and the Customs Union and the Single Single Market is not based upon the it is disappointing that many media Market. This is a clear example of practical outcomes of such an ap- outlets continue to allow this funda- the kind of political connivance that proach, but rather a desire to wedge mentally hypocritical and cynical pos- lurks beneath those relentlessly seek- Northern Ireland out of the United turing to go unchallenged. ing to undermine the will of the Kingdom by stealth. Yet, the conniving Remainers see British people. The entire Irish Nationalist strat- no hypocrisy in their continued at- The Alliance Party and Green egy, given life by the Belfast Agree- tempts to override a democratic refer- Party in Northern Ireland present ment, is based upon staged all-Ireland endum held within the United King- themselves as neutral cross- harmonisation within the context of a dom, which made clear the people’s community parties. Their borderless European Union. It is for desire to leave the European Union. ‘progressive’ politics are strongly pro this reason that they are so desperately Not to partially leave, not to maintain -EU and pro-harmonisation. On trying to de-rail the will of the British a key to the door. But to leave – a full social issues they are common bed- people. and unequivocal divorce. fellows in pursuit of the latest fash- A ‘special status’ for Northern Ire- The real objective of all of those ionable social causes. This makes land within the Customs Union and parties that signed the letter is to un- them ideal allies for Sinn Fein and Single Market would not only set us dermine the constitutional integrity of the more moderately nationalist apart from the rest of the United the United Kingdom, and they see SDLP. Kingdom, but in practical terms wedding Northern Ireland to the Cus- The nationalist parties can saddle would create an economic all-Ireland. toms Union and Single Market as an up with the Alliance and Greens It would be a momentous staging post opportunity that they cannot let pass under the veneer of pretending their for those dedicated to mutilating the in pursuance or their aforementioned coalition is based up commonly held constitutional arrangements of the overriding objective. pro-EU values and ‘progressive’ United Kingdom. The British citizens of Northern policies. But this could not be fur- All of the political parties that Ireland are constitutionally equal to ther from the truth. signed last month’s letter, which is- the British citizens of England, Scot- The cord that binds this sued a series of political demands in land and Wales. The notion that the ‘progressive’ coalition is pan- relation to the Customs Union and British citizens of Northern Ireland nationalism. A quick look at the Al- Single Market, continued to trot out would be abandoned by our sovereign liance and Green voting record in the mantra that Northern Ireland government and forced, against our Northern Ireland will show that on voted to Remain. These same parties will, to be economically severed from almost every key policy decision, are the chief proponents of the Belfast the rest of the United Kingdom is they will vote alongside Irish nation- Agreement, which quite clearly sus- offensive. alism. tains Northern Ireland’s position One would be surprised if MPs in It was the Alliance Party that within the United Kingdom so long as the mother of Parliaments would sit conspired with Sinn Fein and the a majority of persons wishes it to re- idly by and allow themselves to be SDLP to tear the sovereign union main so. complicit in such a contrived betrayal flag from Belfast City Hall on 3rd Therefore they on one hand wish of their fellow British citizens. December 2012, and it is they who to disregard Northern Ireland’s posi- It is surely not too much to ask have continuously given cover to tion within the United Kingdom and that the current Government eschew the connivance of fifth columnists. Page 17

A Loyalist perspective on the East Belfast Bonfire dispute

THE EVENTS in east Belfast against unionism rather than discharg- ever; the SF/SDLP/Alliance antago- over the 11th July were something ing his duties sensibly and with impar- nists in this situation had no more that no sensible person wanted to tiality. This is a view shared by many, interest in resident’s genuine concerns see take place. They stemmed from including well respected persons who than the man on the moon. Positive a confrontation that no genuine in- were involved in the discussions progress had been made; listen to the terested party wanted. That is why around the Walkway bonfire. contribution from the Department for Infrastructure It is therefore an important ques- MP on BBC Talk Back on the 11th (DFI), the Northern Ireland Fire tion to pose; if the land owner said the July, when he praised the genuine en- and Rescue Service (NIFRS), union- situation was manageable, the NIFRS gagement from all those that took part ist parties, well respected mediators said the situation was manageable, in the talks, and the progress achieved. and loyalists all robustly objected to mediators said it was manageable and All those involved in the mediation the aggressive court action pursued praised the positive engagement with were honest brokers. The honest bro- by Belfast City Council at the urging loyalists from the EBCI, then why did kers, on all sides representing those of one politically motivated officer a specific council officer, the Alliance directly affected (NIFRS/DFI/ and what has become known within and later the SDLP and Sinn Fein EBCI), were undermined by those unionism as ‘pan- pursuing their own malicious agen- nationalism’- Sinn Fein, Alli- das. ance and the SDLP. Pan-nationalism’s objective was to It is worth pointing out use what were admittedly difficult that the court action was bonfires as a strategic precedent- pushed hardest by the Alli- setting test case. Their core objec- ance party, even more so than tive was to further their cultural Sinn Fein. The SDLP later war by breaking the back of bon- jumped on the bandwagon fires such as the Walkway, in order and Sinn Fein, surprisingly, that next year they can advance appeared to many of those onto more acceptable bonfires involved to be somewhat re- with a legal precedent tucked away luctant participants. pursue a course of action that would in their armoury. That is why it was so It was somewhat of an absurdity inevitably lead to a confrontation that difficult for loyalism to make further for local Government to be taking no one else wanted? progress, because we recognised that another Government department to There were clearly political brief- the genuine concerns were being ma- court in order to ask the court to ings and leaks from within pan- nipulated and used by those whose interfere in an issue that is a matter nationalism prior to the action taking only interest was in strategic prece- for the land owner, in this case DFI. place, in an effort to set the narrative dent setting. That must be viewed in It is interesting that last year, when and score political points against un- the context of the bonfire builders the bonfire was on Council land, ionism. It is not hard to step back and already being persuaded of the merits they did not seek as robust an ac- reflect on who was behind that, and of moving their bonfire to the area tion. We are also aware that Alliance for what ends. identified as the safest in the area by had pushed for DFI to take the lead In contrast, loyalism worked very the NIFRS, and also reducing the in the aggressive action, in order to hard to deliver a safe and peaceful bonfire to half the size of the previous shield their involvement. summer in east Belfast. It is a matter year. They used DFI as a battering of great disappointment that this posi- On the evening of the aggressive ram for what is evidently a malicious tive work was undermined by those and provocative court action the agenda at play within City Hall. relentlessly driving a political agenda EBCI issued a statement offering dia- Many councillors referred to this and cultural war. logue. The court judgement provided agenda within their commentary and Let us be clear; were there issues for such discussions. Mediators we understand that representations, with the targeted bonfires? Yes. Were reached out to the PSNI to offer them from a senior political level, have improvements and further progress the opportunity to engage with loyal- been made to the Belfast City Coun- required? Yes. Did residents have ists in order that we could work to- cil Chief Executive in relation to the genuine and well-founded concerns gether to de-escalate tensions that had conduct of one specific council offi- for property? Yes. been created by political parties and a cer, who appears to be trying to in council officer hell-bent on forcing a some way settle old personal scores Let us also be clear on this how- confrontation. The PSNI refused.

Page 18

Instead they immediately, within When all the smoke has cleared, stand that many young loyalists have hours, swung into action with there needs to be a genuine and ro- simply had enough of the relentless masked mercenaries and a policing bust discussion around the role played demonisation. Sinn Fein, SDLP and operation that was almost apocalyp- by all within the Walkway bonfire dis- Alliance representatives are only too tic. pute. There are genuine political, civic keen to manipulate misguided actions This, in of itself, raises questions. and community concerns about the in order to advance their own strategic DFI were opposing such aggressive agenda that was pursued by a particu- political objectives. action on their land, so how come lar council officer and the petty politi- Loyalism is angry, especially at the the contractors were already hired cal game and manipulation of the policing imbalance. Officers laughing and ready to go for two days prior situation by pan-nationalism. and mocking whilst masked mercenar- to the court action? Who hired The targeting of bonfires is really ies waded into Cluan Place to remove them? These are all questions that about targeting social cohesion within their community bonfire, whilst heav- will provide a big challenge for Bel- working class unionist communities. ily armed PSNI officers deployed a fast City Council officers in the A key fabric of that social cohesion containment operation locking people coming months. stems from shared cultural expres- into a small vulnerable enclave, fed Did Belfast City Council unilater- sions such as bonfires and parading, it the very real perception that the PSNI ally hire contractors to invade an- is for that reason that such effort is are active participants in what many other departments land, without the put into targeting those particular as- within loyalism feel is a co-ordinated permission of that Department? political agenda against their cul- Did they contrive the whole situa- tural expression. tion from as far as a week before, The Chief Constable tweeted Ja- thus fatally undermining all hon- mie Bryson, Arlene Foster and est brokers in the pursuit of their Joanne Bunting MLA to chal- own narrow agenda? lenge what he said was a false Despite the PSNI’s apparent narrative on policing imbalance. desire to immediately press on Rather than a tweet to public fig- with the aggressive confrontation ures with a voice, why doesn’t loyalists, politicians and highly George Hamilton engage with the respected mediators met late into young loyalists who were affected the night. Despite somewhat of a by the operation undertaken by sensationalist headline, the Irish his officers, why doesn’t he listen News reported accurate details of to the pensioners and ordinary some of those discussions. It is clear pects of cultural expression. members of the unionist community even from the account published in They want to force bonfires into that look at Londonderry and then the Irish News that it is accepted beacons, not because they are eco- look at east Belfast, and wonder why that loyalists worked hard to use warriors, but because beacons demol- the difference in policing operations? positive influence in order to try and ish the sense of community and social Masked mercenaries and heavily de-escalate tensions that were not of cohesion that stems from young lads armed officers in a scene that many loyalism’s making. coming together to work and build a hardened and experienced journalists However, some appeared to bonfire for 8-12 weeks. They arrive on referred to as ‘unprecedented’; the want loyalists to bully the bonfire the evening to watch a beacon and go resentment this has caused will not be builders into dismantling their bon- home. This is ‘acceptable’ cultural easily forgotten. If the Chief Consta- fire or assisting the PSNI in doing expression that pan-nationalism will ble really wants to listen and under- so. That was never going to happen. cheerlead for. It allows them to pre- stand, he should sit down with those The EBCI engaged with the bonfire tend to be keen to embrace unionist most affected by it in a public meet- builders to provide them with a culture, whilst still achieving their ob- ing. He should also explain why the voice, to assist in developing posi- jective of dismantling the social cohe- PSNI refused dialogue on 10th July. tive alternatives and facilitating pro- sion that flows from the shared effort The recriminations and blame gress. This was never going to ex- of actually building the bonfire. game will rumble on, and loyalism has tend to doing pan-nationalism’s Whilst no one would seek to ex- an important narrative that needs to dirty work for them or turning on cuse the violence that erupted- on a be heard as part of that ‘healing’ proc- young men who- despite the mis- minor scale in comparison to the ess. The game played by pan- guided location and some under- widespread anger- condemnation of nationalism and those unelected offi- standable intransigence- only wished the young loyalists that regrettably cials assisting them won’t go without to celebrate their culture and who allowed their frustrations to boil over challenge, they will have robust ques- felt understandably aggrieved and let will not improve the situation. Civic tions to answer. down by broken promises. society and the media need to under- Page 19

Challenging times for the Women’s Education sector By Alison Blayney

Alison Blayney is the Man- whilst others frustratingly make sav- projects which have minimal im- age cuts to frontline services (in one pact. ager of Kilcooley Women’s instance an across the board cut of The women’s sector also supports Centre and a member of 50% in Early Years funding) citing women and families who are work- the Policing Community the need to augment their budg- ing, studying and raising a fam- Safety Partnership ets. Some funding available for ily. The requirement of organisa- training has multiple restrictions – tions such as our own, to open a for instance European Social Fund Food Bank and Hygiene Poverty remains restricted at Level 1 train- Project is depressing, and our data ing. This means a qualification indicates that this support is often in Barista Hospitality – for the huge needed by working families, where coffee and café culture industry, is there is a perception that this sup- too high, and a Level 1 in Childcare port is for families living on wel- is below the usual threshold for em- fare. Feedback from our service us- ployment in the sector. It is also ers has shown that women want to As Northern Ireland heads difficult to explain to a participant work, but by the time they pay for for what appears to be a never end- who wants to improve their employ- childcare and the costs of travel, they ing cycle with no functioning de- ability prospects, but you have to are better off not working. Many volved Government, the women’s turn them away as they are also en- want to work, to set examples to community education sector has rolled in a Peace cross community their children, yet they are facing the never felt as vulnerable. The usual programme – you can't be on both at added challenge of the imminent challenges continue – the sustain- the same time despite one being de- closure of the childcare voucher ability of organisations working at signed for employability and the scheme which many working families the coal face, with vulnerable peo- other to sustain the Peace process rely on. ple, who want to take the steps to and build community relations in Universal credit is due to be improve both their Northern Ireland. rolled out in Ards North Down in and their families outcomes and Staff employed in the community the Autumn. Bangor is often viewed life chances and address educa- sector have often felt they are the as a wealthy area, and no doubt there tional underachievement which Cinderella sector, working on endless are well off residents in the Bor- blights many of our most disadvan- one year fixed term contracts, which ough. Recently the area was de- taged communities. do not give any job security to em- scribed as the ‘Yachts and Have In ‘normal’ circumstances, man- ployees and restrict the impact or- Nots’. That doesn’t mean that that agers of Women’s Centres and ganisations can deliver with the the more affluent client who walks groups would lobby their local funding they are allocated. With the through our doors does not need MLA and avail of the opportunity inability for the majority of small support. Issues such as domestic to meet the Minister in charge of organisations to build up any cash violence, historic sexual abuse, addic- the relevant department. We are reserves (as they operate on full cost tions and mental health and wellbe- now inhabiting limbo land, where recovery ‘real cost’ models), any ing challenges do not discrimi- we are unsure who to lobby, and if change to income could close the nate. The rise in the recording of anyone is in a position in the Civil doors. It would not be unusual to domestic violence is either the result Service to make decisions in the receive confirmation on funding for of actual violence or the success in absence of a Minister. the new financial year well into the encouraging more victims to come Departments are also inconsis- summer months, with organisations forward for help. Either way, or- tent in their policy of decision having to take the decision do they ganisations in the women’s sector making in the absence of a Minis- work at risk or close the doors. This such as women’s centres, refuges and ter, with some continuing to imple- is countered with the slippage which Women’s Aid continue to struggle, ment ‘historic’ funding arrange- can become available in the final in what is a region which is only just ments as they have no power to quarter, which is often surviving without a functioning gov- deviate or introduce new projects, spent hurriedly, and often quick fix ernment. Page 20