{"id":1100,"date":"2012-08-17T14:45:01","date_gmt":"2012-08-17T13:45:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.longkeshinsideout.co.uk\/?p=1100"},"modified":"2012-08-17T14:46:03","modified_gmt":"2012-08-17T13:46:03","slug":"loyalist-left-on-fringes-group-left-behind-by-unionism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.longkeshinsideout.co.uk\/?p=1100","title":{"rendered":"Loyalist left On Fringes: Group Left Behind By Unionism"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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By John Coulter, Northern Political Columnist, Irish Daily Star.\u00a0A uniformed UVF man addressing a mainly republican crowd on Belfast\u2019s Falls Road! Now that\u2019s a picture of real peace in the North !<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t the start of a new Irish civil war, but a brave decision by Feile an Phobail to stage the loyalist \u2018Voices From Behind the Wire\u2019 presentation in St Mary\u2019s College.<\/p>\n

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The highlight of the event was the question and answer session which featured Progressive Unionist boss and former MLA Billy Hutchinson on the panel.<\/p>\n

Before the event, the crowd was treated to loyalist tunes and images of UVF and Red Hand Commando inmates at Long Kesh.<\/p>\n

There was a lot of nervous shuffling as a former compound prisoner in modern day UVF regalia \u2013 not the original 1912 outfit \u2013 performed the poem, The Parade, about daily life for the UVF prisoners.<\/p>\n

Loyalists on the panel, especially Mr Hutchinson, had to field some very soul-searching questions from republicans.<\/p>\n

But in spite of a dissident republican protest in support of Marian Price outside the venue, Sinn Fein supporters inside the debate kept tempers in check.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s just a pity the DUP and UUP Assembly teams were not present to hear the questions as they might have learned a few home truths about the state of Unionism and loyalism.<\/p>\n

It is a sorry state of affairs when republicans have to educate Unionists on how to fix the problems in the pro-Union community.<\/p>\n

Why has \u2018Big House\u2019 Unionism allowed loyalism to become the underclass of the Protestant community?<\/p>\n

What was the loyalist campaign of violence all about?<\/p>\n

Why has the PUP been unable to make progress among Unionist voters?<\/p>\n

How can loyalism become a progressive movement when it is still tied to the monarchy?<\/p>\n

Is there any chance for working class politics in Protestantism while the Unionist parties are still influenced by the Orange Order?<\/p>\n

What has become of the female loyalist prisoners? Why have women ex-inmates not had the same influence on and role in Unionism and loyalism as female republicans?<\/p>\n

How much influence did \u2018Big House\u2019 Unionism have on the relaunching of the UVF in the 1960s to oppose then Northern Premier Terence O\u2019Neill\u2019s \u2018hand of friendship\u2019 to nationalists?<\/p>\n

Then the bombshell \u2026 did any DUP politician ever allegedly ask the UVF to carry on killing Catholics to ensure there was no peace process or power sharing?<\/p>\n

This question prompted mumblings about the role of the late Scottish-born, firebrand DUP Assembly member George Seawright.<\/p>\n

The North Belfast hardliner was booted out of the DUP because of his notorious \u2018Burn Catholics\u2019 remarks.<\/p>\n

He later formed his own extreme Protestant Unionist Party and Ulster Protestant League, before being murdered by the fringe Irish People\u2019s Liberation Organisation in 1987.<\/p>\n

But the big question still remained unanswered \u2026 was Seawright the only DUP politician allegedly in cahoots with the UVF and Red Hand Commando?<\/p>\n

While loyalist and republican inmates can share similar stories about their experiences in Long Kesh, modern loyalists have some bitter medicine to swallow compared to their republican counterparts.<\/p>\n

While the IRA dog wagged the Sinn Fein tail, once loyalists ended up in jail, they were abandoned by the Unionist parties.<\/p>\n

Loyalists can shout all they want that the solution to ending their political wilderness lies with the Protestant working class.<\/p>\n

The reality is that loyalists must first convince the DUP and UUP that loyalism is a relevant voice in the new North. Simple solution, you Prods, just copy the Shinners!<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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