{"id":2611,"date":"2013-12-29T11:11:34","date_gmt":"2013-12-29T11:11:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.longkeshinsideout.co.uk\/?p=2611"},"modified":"2013-12-29T11:11:34","modified_gmt":"2013-12-29T11:11:34","slug":"twaddell-is-this-the-end-game-staring-us-in-the-face-william-ennis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.longkeshinsideout.co.uk\/?p=2611","title":{"rendered":"Twaddell-Is This The End Game Staring Us In The Face?: William Ennis"},"content":{"rendered":"

Twaddell- Is the end game staring us in the face?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>In this Loyalists opinion the complete revamp of Unionist representation at political level is not only achievable, but necessary.\u00a0 This (small r) revolution within the PUL community would also be a fitting victory to what have been long, admirable and inspiring protests at both Twaddell and Belfast city hall.<\/p>\n

I have learned many things from this past year of PUL resistance.<\/p>\n

I have always suspected that Loyalist women were our backbone and that the Loyalist community was a deeply matriarchal one, now I know this to be true.\u00a0 The devotion and deep pride of the women of our protests have, and continue to be an overwhelming phenomenon.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 From tending to the problems of the young members of their community, to making Stephen Nolan\u2019s panellists wish they had never been born, to reminding us all of our responsibilities, to having those much needed sandwiches at the ready this most grounded of grass-roots activism can\u2019t help but inspire those who observe it.<\/p>\n

I have learned that there is much to be done with regard to coaxing many of our younger people from bad habits.\u00a0 The bitterness which often escapes the lips of many is not surprising given what the PIRA put our community through for so long, but the effort should be made by us all to remember that the most advantageous standpoint from which to win a debate is that of the high ground.\u00a0 The low level of bigotry to be found at the protests is a tonic of course, but this also serves to make those rare instances all the more noticeable.<\/p>\n

I have learned the stereotype peddled by our opponents who would paint us a cold individualistic bunch to be complete claptrap.\u00a0 On many an occasion I posted on my twitter account that \u201cthis pedestrian Loyalist requires a lift to twaddell\u201d only to be peppered with kind offers of assistance from Loyalists of every politic and background, it was extremely heart-warming and brought home to me the degree to which the expression \u2018Loyalist family\u2019 is no accident.\u00a0 This feeling extends far into the spectatorship of the protest parades, every face greeting you with the smile of a favourite old cousin; a family.<\/p>\n

This also draws my thoughts to what might be.\u00a0 We are a protest community, seasoned, experienced and mobilised.\u00a0 I\u2019m thinking of opposition to the poverty deepening water charges which are hanging over the heads of our community as well as that of the CNR (catholic-nationalist-republican) community.\u00a0 Once the actual shared future is achieved with everyone\u2019s culture(s) left inviolate and the bitterness has had a chance to die its death imagine the political force our community could become with regard to other issues.\u00a0 Water charges, insultingly huge MLA wages, bankers\u2019 bonuses, extortionate VAT rates, appalling educational facilities, poor public services, shortage of third level educational opportunities for young people from poorer backgrounds, widespread media scape-goating of the unemployed and single parents…\u00a0 I could go on.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>All of which draws me back to my initial thought.\u00a0 Where are we headed?\u00a0 Do we have an end game?\u00a0 The answer is yes.\u00a0 In this Loyalist scribbler\u2019s opinion the end game comes in May.<\/p>\n

The Unionist politicians have let us down.\u00a0 They roll up their sleeves with rabid enthusiasm at the mere sniff of a pending election only to re-attach the sparkling cuff-links once their office is re-secured.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve had enough.<\/p>\n

Have you?<\/p>\n

The end game lies in our politically mobilised Loyalist community making our voice the loudest it has ever been, in local government councils, at Stormont, at the Westminster Parliament, and in Europe.\u00a0 Let no-one tell us we aren\u2019t good enough.<\/p>\n

I recall a BBC Question Time<\/em> just before the last general election when George Galloway encouraged the audience to make a point of voting for someone other than the incumbent candidate.\u00a0 He exclaimed to an appreciative audience that they (the voters) must \u201ctake a large broom, and sweep out the whole chamber!\u00a0 Sweep them out I say, SWEEP THEM OUT!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

I believe the PUL community should take hold of that broom next May, and with your pencil, commence that clear out!<\/p>\n

But replace them with whom?<\/p>\n

Not an unfair question…<\/p>\n

It is of course no secret that the writer has a favourite party, one of which he is a member.\u00a0 I have been a member of the PUP for three years now, but this wont devalue the point I\u2019m about to make to any non-PUP reader, I hope.<\/p>\n

What ever a loyalists politics, there is an alternative party to vote for, arguably the first election of which this may be said.\u00a0 For the reasons mentioned above I no longer consider the incumbent Unionists (DUP and UUP) worthy of the Loyalist people\u2019s support, and NI21\u2019s flagrant anti-Loyalism places that party also beyond consideration.\u00a0 So here is my recommendation.<\/p>\n

If you are a Loyalist whose politics lie between the centre and the centre-left (in favour of state support for the vulnerable), if you are proud of your working-class roots and place a lot of stock in the value of community then the Progressive Unionist Party seeks to represent you.\u00a0 However, if you are a more right-leaning, free-market orientated Unionist then Jim Allister\u2019s TUV, whilst they aren\u2019t my cup of tea, should more than float your boat.\u00a0 Gone are the days of being resigned to the cocky incumbent whom you haven\u2019t seen or heard of since the last election.<\/p>\n

A complete shake up of PUL representation will provide the victory those long-suffering and unshakable ladies at Twaddell deserve.\u00a0 To come out of the other side of the upcoming elections with representation no more engaged with our grass-roots than is currently the case would truly spell defeat.<\/p>\n

But I don\u2019t think that will happen.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m now off for one of those sandwiches.<\/p>\n

William Ennis<\/strong><\/p>\n

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