19 November 1996
Even if the IRA ceases their terror campaign. Even if they go through the motions of disarming (and of course the Loyalists do likewise). Is there the slightest possibility of the IRA signing up to the principle of consent - given that they refused to do so in the Forum established by Albert Reynolds?
That was the crucial turning point when the IRA turned its back on democracy. All that has happened since is but a simple smokescreen. When, when will Statesmen see that.
That being the reality, the obvious course is to scale down the present high wire act. Give to those committed to democracy a real role in rebuilding our community.
There is no need for a legislative upheaval. There is ample scope for administrative action to enable those elected on various levels to start taming the quangos and agencies.
Forget the divisive issues and start delivering the goods.
Such a course would have the backing of what, for a decade, I have referred to as 'the greater number' defined as Protestants, Roman Catholics, other faiths and no faith who are united in their yearning for a settled existence.
To those in authority I plead - give that greater number an opportunity to take a grip on the situation and you will not be disappointed.
Time was when my modest suggestion would have been met with cries of 'integration' and other such unspeakable horrors. Indeed there were some within my own party who showered insults on my entirely innocent head. In their eyes I was suspect because I refused to swear blind allegiance to the demand for 'Stormont back with all the knobs on'. In vain I sought to defend myself with the excuse that while I might deliver the impossible in no time the restoration of Stormont was bound to take a little longer. Perhaps my attitude sprang from a flaw in my nature which makes me err on the side of reality rather than on rosy dreams.
I had one lesson in reality a few weeks after a Conservative Government abolished Stormont. In conversation with Jim Callaghan I asked if a Labour Government would have taken such a drastic step. His reply was certainly not - because the reasons one would have had to give for Stormont’s removal would have made impossible its restoration.
Even if the jury is still out on the charge that I am an undercover integrationist, other and more effective integrationists are alive and well.
They are to be found in the ranks of the pan Nationalist front. Greatly encouraged by the success of their campaign to have Stormont abolished and the centre of power shifted to Westminster they have never missed an opportunity to obstruct the restoration of decentralised devolved powers.
No one is deceived by their lip service to 'finding a solution' in which they would envisage a grotesque travesty of democracy whose life support system would be controlled by at least two foreign governments.
Unless all such vetos are removed those who constitute the 'greater number' have only one safe course:- Lord Carson's plea to Parliament in the debates on the 1920 Act - Govern us as you govern yourselves. I echo and we must all echo that same plea to this Parliament and the next.
