Unionism has seen better days. The chaos arising from the last minute Brexit deal, food supply chain glitches and the imposition of customs checks at the ports of Larne and Belfast, despite assurances to the contrary from Boris Johnston, have disturbed the delicate equilibrium achieved through the Good Friday Agreement in 1998; an equilibrium that has wobbled on more than one occasion previously.
Recriminations, unlike some imported fruit, have not been in short supply. Unionism needs to take some time for sober reflection. Northern Ireland has faced crises before and come through them. There is a resilience and resourcefulness in the Northern Irish people that has enabled them to survive some torrid times, and indeed to do much more than just survive. After thirty years of civil conflict we have rebuilt our towns and our civic institutions and created, at least until Covid, a vibrant, growing economy.
The Northern Irish, for all their obduracy and fractiousness, are known for their friendliness, warmth and humour. By virtue of its history and geography the country is a unique blending of Irish and British traditions and our culture is a fusion of Ulster-Scots, Irish and newcomers. Like many others my identity is both British and Irish, shaped by the country I live in and the people I’ve grown up with.
I’m proud to be British. Britain’s contribution to the world has been immense. In science, literature, music, art, philosophy, and sport it has a remarkable legacy, most recently demonstrated by the development of the innovative Oxford University-Astra Zeneca Covid19 vaccine. The transparency of our political and public institutions, largely free from corruption and scrutinized by an independent media, is uncommon today. Britons are rightly proud of the NHS, the BBC and the Monarchy.
I also recognise the richness of Ireland’s cultural presence. Through music, poetry, literature, dance, film, theatre and the Irish language, Ireland has enriched the cultural life of these islands, not to mention the contribution of the Diaspora to almost every continent.
The idea that one must make a binary choice between these traditions is illogical and detrimental. The cultural boundaries overlap and cultural purity is a myth. As our histories are intertwined so too are our cultures. Since we exist in such close proximity we can and should work together. In order to repair the social and economic damage inflicted by Covid 19 the synergy created through working in partnership could offer a future to which all can contribute and from which all will benefit.
Peace was created through dialogue but will be sustained through respectful collaboration. The political negotiations which resulted in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement created the space for the remarkable economic growth of the past two decades, evidenced for example by Belfast’s emergence as one of the top ten Tech cities in the UK and the world’s number one destination for Fintech investments. This achievement can be built upon, but we do that most effectively by marshalling all our resources and working collaboratively, complimented by the talents and energies of the newcomers from many parts of the world who have arrived in Northern Ireland since the turn of the millennium.
The Republic of Ireland should not be seen as a predatory neighbour, but rather Unionists should foster a friendship which facilitates closer economic cooperation, working to the mutual benefit of both countries. Our economies are interdependent therefore constructive and close working relations make common sense. Despite the current Brexit challenges, creating a successful economy which benefits all should not be a competitive pursuit but a common goal.
This is not to deny the constitutional question, but while it may be a priority for some, to a significant proportion of the population, especially among younger people, it is not a pressing issue. Much more pressing is concern over the climate crisis, or the burgeoning mental health epidemic. These are urgent and complex issues that we should prioritise and work on together. The creative energies of the Northern Irish can be harnessed to address these problems but also to shape an innovative future. In the words of Tourism Northern Ireland, we can unleash the ‘Giant Spirit’ that comes from mutual respect and cooperation and move forward embracing our unique amalgam of British and Irish identities.
The choice we face is whether to focus on a border referendum which, in all probability, will be inconclusive, divisive and extremely damaging to the social fabric of the country, or to work together for the common good, respecting our cultural diversity, in a way that creates a successful and vibrant future. I know which I favour.