Young
Unionists

Going through my daily dose of political blogs I came across a piece by O’Neill over on A Pint of Unionist Lite that took a look at the DUP’s proposed Unionist Academy. O’Neill offers his view of what criteria would need to be met:

1. It should not be regional nor party-driven- there are Unionists spread all over the United Kingdom’s political spectrum; we need much more closer cooperation and cross-pollination of ideas throughout that political spectrum- the time for a Pan UK-Unionist Front has most definitely arrived.

2. Linked with 1) it should deal with ideas wider than the normal day to day parochial; e.g in Northern Ireland there will still remain enough foot-soldiers on the ground to ensure that the Orangemen retain their toilet facilities in Armagh, considering how we can best deal with the Barnett Formula is quite another and rather more important question for the future of the Union.

3. Funding. Full-time staff would be required to supplement the large number of amateurs presently flying the flag. In practical terms, a UK-wide organization will need funding from the UK-wide parties.

4. Positivism. It’s fun ripping apart the various nationalist arguments, but long-term it doesn’t drive the movement forward; new ideas re the economic, cultural, social development of the United Kingdom are needed.

5. Best utilisation of resources- eg an actual brick and cement building is not needed for such an “academy” or “think-tank” to operate, access to a PC will be quite sufficient.

6. Most important of all and linked to point 1)- a full and complete independence to deliver its views and options.

Is the DUP prepared to deliver on points 1) and 6)?

I share some of O’Neill’s concerns over the intentions behind the ‘academy’ but I am still intrigued and drawn to the idea of a think-tank to explore and bring together the many different strands of unionism, both within and outside of Northern Ireland. Regarding the ’sticking points’ of criteria 1 and 6 I wholeheartedly agree with O’Neill; I would like to see the party political actors sit together solely as unionists and set down a vision of where they would like to see unionism going in the future. It may seem a bit airy fairy and conceptual, but a unionist narrative and coherent response is needed to counter the ever growing ‘cultural war’ in Northern Ireland.

I for one will not be writing off the DUP’s proposal until I can see some of the detail yet to emerge, and I hope it is more than a cheap gimmick. With a bit of work and cross-party support this could be the beginning of an important journey.