Dear Sir, - May I through the courtesy of your newspaper reply to the 'Open letter to the people of Northern Ireland'? I note that Peter Robinson MP has had the audacity to claim the Policing and Justice deal is a 'fair deal' for the Unionist Community. Only a week has passed and we can already see this shambles falling apart. The 'new start' as he quotes to parades is already in tatters when we hear quotes of "In some cases the reality is that a resolution to a particular parading dispute will be no parade". Garvaghy Road Residents have already given the 'clear off' message to Orangemen. So much for diversity and respect of each others culture
In County Fermanagh, Newtownbutler and Rosslea Orange Parades will undoubtedly receive the usual attention from Republican sympathisers whether in the name of local residents groups, IRA/Sinn Fein, Dissident groupings or any other name that suits them on the day. As IRA/Sinn Fein claim; they have no control over 'dissidents'.
South Fermanagh Orangemen; face reality; Mr Robinsons 'fair deal' solution now appears to be "In some cases a resolution to a particular parading dispute will be no parade"
The new approach to Unionist unity mentioned in Mr. Robinson's letter is a more recent phenomenon and only lasted a short period of time in the past; that is when Paisley/Trimble swaggered down the Garvaghy Road. The call for unity is undoubtedly a DUP attempt to save face in the forthcoming Westminster elections as the electorate departs their ranks.
Mr. Robinson; your plea for the Unionist community to support this perverse deal is falling on deaf ears. Many scorn the cosy relationship DUP have with IRA/Sinn Fein and are turning their backs on your party for the same reason, when UUP failed to uphold election promises. The Unionist people are again saying 'no', just like your present manifesto of 'No' to the Irish Language Act. If memory serves me right, your manifesto of 2007 also said 'no' to share power will IRA/Sinn Fein. Your Irish Language Act can be added to the extending list of pledges broken to the electorate. Furthermore, your veto held by DUP to stop IRA/Sinn Fein becoming Justice Minister is the same veto IRA/Sinn Fein holds to ensure a Unionist doesn't fill the post. I'm not even going to mention retention of the Full-time Reserve. Did I say, another promise broken?
Mr Robinson accuses Jim Allister of 'spinning the IRA/Sinn Fein message'. May I point out that Jim Allister has never bent over backwards to concede to Republican demands. He has never spent days and nights at Hillsborough concocting a deal with those who still aspire to destroy the sovereignty of our Country. He has never put perpetrators of violence into Government some who have colluded in the murder of Police Officers and Judges.
The claim that 1200 Police Officers would have been sacked is a gross exaggeration. The Policing budget which is presently overspent, like many other budgets at Stormont, would have been dealt with by the Exchequer in the usual manner. They pay up! If Government can afford to waste £800m on a Policing and Justice Deal to keep IRA/Sinn Fein in power with DUP, then £68m is small change to keep Policing afloat! This £800m buy-off has already been 'Paid for in Blood' ten times over by the innocent Police Officers and Judges butchered by IRA/Sinn Fein. Money will buy any deal if the price is right.
The Unionist voters have be DUPed long enough. Opportunity will soon arise for them to show their distaste toward breaches of DUPs promises. We can recall the way the electorate punished the UUP when they broke promises contained within their manifesto. Let's face reality, DUP; your time is up!
However to finish on a positive note, I am pleased at least DUP have a 'clever device' to ensure the parades issue is delivered upon. I believe you intend to bring down the Executive returning to Direct Rule.
I'm glad you agree with Jim Allister on something! However, turkeys don't vote for Christmas not even Joe Mahons. DUP won't vote themselves out of office and onto the dole!
You faithfully
INTEGRITY BEFORE POWER
This letter appeared in Impartial Reporter 18 Feb 10
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