The Ulster Unionist Party

[An Fear Dubh]

Since partition the Official Unionist Party (now the UUP) was the only real party on Unionism in Ireland. Other parties came and went on the unionist side. They had the Conservative (Tory) Party whip and were closely aligned to the Tories.

Having their dominate role challenged and wrestled from them under the inept and weak leadership of David Trimble it is difficult to see how they can re-build. Especially under Reg Empey, a good party man but never a leader. And never one to make the moves that will enable the UUP to win back ground. His appointment of Michael McGimpsey is proof of this, as this is designed with future elections in mind. But has back-fired.

Tinkering with internal structures seems another pointless exercise.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/6581165.stm
Is there any light at the end of the tunnel??

[An Fear Dubh]

In another thread Kilsally mentioned the Rev Brian Kennaway, who wrote a book on the Orange Order. He appears in the news again recently with the formation of a new political group. Called the 'Union Group', accordingly drawn from the broad unionist tradition, and returning to unionism's roots. Basing itself on the principles of the founding fathers like James Craig. The group acknowledges that the "greatest failure of the 1922-1972 Unionist government was the failure to move beyond the politics of the sectarian headcounts".

But you have to wonder is this a group that will have any bearing on the politics of unionism. When 'broad bodies' like the UUP and the Orange Order can not adapt themselves to the changing political climate, because they are so laboured with rules and proceedures. And they run the risk of being left behind and never being able to regain the ground lost. Everyone can see that Unionism needs and must present a vision that reflects society today (21st Century) not society of the 19th Century. This means a radical overhaul of the 'broad bodies' like the UUP and the Orange Order, not the creation of insignificant groups that can change nothing.

[An Fear Dubh]

They discussed this group and the document produced by the group on the BBC programme 'Hearts & Minds' can be found on a search of the BBC site. It is last weeks programme still till the site is up dated.

It is hard for people to repond when you state the obvious!

[An Fear Dubh]

Here is a link to the Hearts & Mind programme, you might need to download a Real media player (free version will do), and the relevant section is over halfway after the bit about elections in the south.
www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/currentaffairs/realmedia/heartsandminds_video.shtml?http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/realmedia/hearts.ram

[An Fear Dubh]

Not sure what happened but that link is not working.

www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/heartsandminds/index.shtml

Try this and follow the instructions, ie watch in broadband, etc.