Loyalist parties join forces in Londonderry

[Wasp]

Loyalist parties join forces in Londondderry
Londonderry Journal - www.derryjournal.com/p...3923491.jp

Loyalist political parties with links to paramilitary groups are to join forces in Derry, it's emerged.
The Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG), which has links to the UDA, and the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) - which is said to be close to the thinking of the UVF - revealed to the 'Journal' this week that, following lengthy discussions, both groups are to work in partnership on a wide ranging programme of activities.

The new pact, they say, is aimed at "bolstering
confidence and addressing the many issues affecting grassroots, working class loyalist communities."

A joint statement issued by Leslie Mitchell, of the PUP, and David Malcolm, of the UPRG, reads: "We intend to consult a varied cross section of political, cultural and community based organisations in order to gauge areas of need and address concerns within the wider loyalist community.

"Supplementary to this agenda will be the preservation of our proud history, culture and traditions.

" It is our strong belief that these traditions and very way of life are being continually eroded by republicanism and others.

"With this in mind, it is our intention to vigorously promote our traditions, history and culture, and through an ongoing programme of consultation, action and education ensure our community grows in confidence and can live in the city of Londonderry as equal citizens."

The full article contains 223 words and appears in Journal Friday DER Edition newspaper.

[Wasp]

I am so glad to hear this and I hope this idea spreads throughout N.Ireland.

[Jim]

Is about time they've started it. Maybe we can look forward to them working with republican groups in the future too, I know that Ervine was hugely in favour of that himself.

[Wasp]

I have no problem whatsoever for anyone or group to work with republicans. Only by taking a serious stand and understanding can we get anywhere with eachother. To date all sides have failed miserably, they are too interested in playing games and not dealing with real people on the ground.

But I don't want the pup/uprg to limit themselves to working class loyalist communities, they need to be listening and working with all classes. The middle class loyalists are as fed up with things as working class loyalists, they too require education for their children, healthcare, jobs, council services, transport and all other issues that affect us all.

[Jim]

I think they need to focus on working on their own communities first which is why I mentioned about in the future. But its equally important to promote a brand of loyalism that isnt inheritently afraid of republicans or against catholics/nationalists too, which will set out the ground for more interaction between working classes. I say working classes, because the poshie areas of the state are usually mixed or dont care about religion.

The PUP and UPRG have an oppurtunity to do something that the DUP and UUP can't do, show the truth of the Troubles, why it happened, and why it can never happen again. The two bigger unionist parties would rather pretend it didnt happen.

[earl]

fully agree with both of ye lads.