The Ulster Unionist Party's ruling body has given its verdict which, despite the critics, constitutes a resounding defeat for the rebels with 443 votes for David Trimble and 359 votes for Jeffrey and co. To understand the significance of this, it must be borne in mind that the Unionist Council remains hamstrung by the presence of Orange delegates and anti-agreement delegates from the Young Unionists and the Women's Association.
Without these negative elements David Trimble could have a 70% majority. The Orange Order is now dominated by the anti-agreement DUP so that even
Orange delegates who are members of the UUP may be tainted by the rhetoric of a party dedicated to destroying the UUP. Unfortunately because of archaic UUC structures it seems to be virtually impossible to sever the link with Orangeism because of the critical role played by those same Orange delegates.
While the Orange Order may constitute a legitimate interest group, it also conflicts with the ideals of many who support the Union. Orangeism fosters sectionalism by appearing to promote a virulent form of Protestant ascendancy rather than a Union for all.
For example Orangemen can be disciplined for taking part in Catholic services. This is grossly offensive and was not part of the original rules but added in the context of sectarian rivalries in the 19th century. Such sectionalism represents a significant barrier to Catholic and wider participation. It is bad for Orangeism and potentially damaging to the Union.
As the Orange Order declines it becomes more overtly political and the link with the UUP is increasingly untenable.
The Union today can only be defended effectively from pluralist platforms. We are not living in the 19th century and there is little in common between the narrow tribal rivalry that underlies present dissension, and a Union based on pluralism and inclusion. It is this issue that is being fought out within the UUP.
The rebels represent the past while pro-agreement people want a Union that is open to diverse peoples and nations. The days of small-minded tribal-based unionism are over and we are now witnessing the death throes of a reactionary tribalism that could only thrive on a constant diet of opposition to nationalism.
I listened to the arguments at the UUC meeting on Saturday and came away more convinced that the rebels have nothing to offer but rivalry, discontent, disunity and division. They could end the nonsense and retake the party whip but they are deluded into thinking the Orange card can be played to ensure that their will shall ultimately prevail.
Yet time after time ad nauseam they sought to impose their will, but each time, despite the Orange delegates, they have been rebuffed. Jeffrey complains of being denied freedom of expression, a theme reiterated at the UUC meeting, but the party has been overly indulgent with petulant children who take their ball from the field when things don't go their way. Jeffrey claims 70% of the unionist electorate are "totally opposed" to the joint declaration but the declaration is not the issue. It was never endorsed by the UUP, but even if it were this does not constitute any justification for rejecting party decisions.
Jeffrey wrongly implies that unionists, who traditionally supported law and order, reject the declaration's demand for an end to "paramilitary activity, sectarian violence and criminality" or the declaration's insistence that "putting all arms beyond use remains an indispensable part of implementing the agreement". People should examine the joint declaration before dismissing it entirely on the basis of flawed interpretations by rivalling politicians with vested interests.
In any case opposition from the right long predates the joint declaration and the Good Friday Agreement, which he helped negotiate.
It must be repeated that the central cause of the impasse is not disagreement over policies but rather the continuing refusal of the rebels to accept party decisions in the context of their power struggle.
David Trimble should have the support of all people of goodwill because a strong Union party, working in partnership with the rest of our islands, is vital if we are to heal relationships and bring to our own people the prosperity and peace denied to them for so long by reactionary politicians.
