by Jamie Bryson
There can be honest disagreement about purist principles v pragmatism & how that tactically manifests itself. So too can there be honest & genuine disagreement about the merits or otherwise of devolution.
But there canβt be honest disagreement between the truth and a lie. The truth is what it is.
Itβs legitimate to accept the truth, and disagree about the best way by which to navigate it. But it isnβt legitimate to say we must pretend the truth isnβt the truth, because for political gain one side of the debate need the truth to be concealed.
Thatβs not a solid basis for genuine debate & exchange of different ideas. Such battles of ideas are good, and unionism does need to heal. I agree with Jeffrey Donaldson that debate is healthy.
But I do find that hard to reconcile with the campaign waged by the DUP leadership which has sought to ensure there is no proper debate, and who have put their case based on a demonstrably false factual basis.Β
To move forward together, as unionism must, itβs necessary to do so on a solid foundation, which can only come about by an honest and truthful assessment as to where we are, and the challenges we face. Once there is that honest acceptance of reality, we can all- from all sections of unionism- work together to develop a strategy and a way forward to restore NIβs place in the Union.
There is nothing to be gained from division within unionism, and that is not what I want to see. But, likewise, it cannot be the case that the DUP leadership can say black is white, & everyone must simply go along with that for the sake of βunityβ. Thatβs a house of unionism built on quick sand. When the storm of truth comes, and it will, a DUP house built on that foundation will collapse in on itself.
So, for those who support this deal for pragmatic reasons, or because they believe itβs the best thing ever, then absolutely thatβs a legitimate view- but be honest with yourself & others about what you are supporting.Β
If your view is that for the long term stability of the Union you are willing to accept & implement an Irish Sea border & NI being treated as EU territory with the Acts of Union subjugated & in suspension, thatβs fine: but at least be honest about the price youβre paying.
What isnβt legitimate is to pretend NI is restored to the Union, the Irish Sea border doesnβt exist & all we collectively stood against doesnβt remain with its jackboot on our neck. That pretence is to deny the truth that everyone who looks can see.Β
In January 2021, we faced a similar situation. The DUP leadership then, and the present leader who was then just a senior party member, buried their head in the sand. They, like Brandon Lewis the Secretary of State, pretended the Irish Sea border didnβt really exist, that it wasnβt a constitutional issue and absurdly even proclaimed great βopportunitiesβ lay ahead from the Protocol.
When it was said they should collapse Stormont rather than implement the Protocol, they issued a derisory press statement saying such an idea was βfoolishβ.
The majority of unionists were confused, questioning whether things were really so bad, whether the βnaysayersβ were just trying to be βwreckersβ & all in all many were, at least then, willing to trust the DUP leadership. Surely they wouldnβt be so out of touch to think the Protocol βwasnβt a constitutional issueβ if, indeed, it was?Β
But as the weeks and months went on, the truth became ever more apparent. The DUP leadership struggled to keep up the pretence all was fine. One leader was removed; & another lasted only weeks, his downfall being returning to Stormont by nominating a First Minister- on the day around 3,000 unionists/loyalists gathered in Newtownards to hear us βnaysayersβ rage against the Protocol.
The DUP sank to 13% in the polls, and Sir Jeffrey Donaldson changed position. His hardline stance was rewarded, & the DUP- based on fundamental promises and commitments- rose up the polls again.
Sir Jeffrey then abandoned those promises, & along with the NIO tried to steamroller all of unionism into believing black is white. He has made a number of claims as false as his initial claim the Protocol βwas not a constitutional issueβ. So emphatic has Sir Jeffrey & Gavin Robinson been, many unionists are confused & once again asking themselves, surely they arenβt trying to convince people to believe black is white, if thatβs not the case?
They have been assisted by a largely compliant media & commentariate, who are almost all pro-Stormont at any price, & in truth mostly are in favour of the Irish Sea border. In consequence the DUP leadership have got away with demonstrable lies, without any real challenge. That has been a major contributing factor in, so far, the DUP leadership getting away with what their own party Chairman has described as βthe sleight of hand of the centuryβ.
There is a test for the media now; will they hold the DUP leadership to account; or help them conceal their untruths for the βgreater goodβ? If they do, thatβs not journalism, itβs politics.
Hereβs a challenge: every DUP representative you meet, ask them whether they are publicly willing to repeat the claims made by Sir Jeffrey and Gavin Robinson. Will they say the Irish Sea border has gone?
Will they say the green lane has gone?
Will they say NI is restored to the Union?
Will they say their seven key tests have been met?
Will they say there is βzero checks and zero customs paperworkβ on goods destined for NI?
I suspect you will find there are many; even who support the deal, who wonβt stake their credibility on falsehoods.
Unionism must heal, but to do that, those who have led unionism back to Stormont must be honest about the price theyβve paid.