Reflecting on what accommodations might be made for unionists if a united Ireland was to come to pass, the Sinn Féin president also indicated she would be prepared to accept a different flag and national anthem.
“I, as with every other person who argues for a new united Ireland, will honour the flag of that island, will honour the dawning of that new opportunity and I would be proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with my fellow citizens, irrespective of religious creed, political background cultural background, irrespective of everything that has gone before. And I would proudly sing the anthem or anthems of that Ireland.”
Most of the focus has been on her comments in relation to the timing of a referendum on a United Ireland and whether it should be triggered by a hard Brexit.
The main question that arises for me though is why accommodations need to be made for unionists? Firstly, unionism is by definition opposed to an independent United Ireland (and let's not forget that implicit in the idea of a united Ireland is an independent Ireland). British unionism is incompatible and irreconcilable with the nationalist and republican idea of a United Ireland. It is perfectly valid to speak of ex-Unionists, Ulster protestant, the cultural British etc. But one cannot speak of accommodating unionism itself for that would undermine the very integrity of the Nation as a concept. The nation cannot include people who owe political allegiance to another nation over it, or subscribe to a political ideology that is inherently hostile to the nation.
The main question that arises for me though is why accommodations need to be made for unionists? Firstly, unionism is by definition opposed to an independent United Ireland (and let's not forget that implicit in the idea of a united Ireland is an independent Ireland). British unionism is incompatible and irreconcilable with the nationalist and republican idea of a United Ireland. It is perfectly valid to speak of ex-Unionists, Ulster protestant, the cultural British etc. But one cannot speak of accommodating unionism itself for that would undermine the very integrity of the Nation as a concept. The nation cannot include people who owe political allegiance to another nation over it, or subscribe to a political ideology that is inherently hostile to the nation.
Secondly, the notion of an accommodation suggests that Irish nationalism as it currently stands is not accommodating. Mary Lou speaks of a new Ireland, with new flags and anthems. But there would only be a need for new symbols if there was something wrong with the existing ones. This feeds into the classic slur against Irish nationalism that it is tribal, ethno-sectarian and essentialist. The flag and anthem, as representations of this exclusionary nationalism, are seen as problematic. This argument usually involves a false equivalence with northern Unionism. The solution is typically a modern, secular third way that transcends tribal divisions.
At the end of the day, though, the flag represents the ideals of the 1916 rising. I would invite people to show me which parts of the associated proclamation espouse principles that threaten Ulster protestants? If the flag or the anthem do not represent those people, it is because they themselves historically have chosen not to be represented by it because of the democratic and egalitarian principles it stands for.
At the end of the day, though, the flag represents the ideals of the 1916 rising. I would invite people to show me which parts of the associated proclamation espouse principles that threaten Ulster protestants? If the flag or the anthem do not represent those people, it is because they themselves historically have chosen not to be represented by it because of the democratic and egalitarian principles it stands for.
There is no doubting the wisdom of getting Unionists to buy into a United Ireland, thereby becoming ex-unionists. While a majority of 50%+1 is all that is required, it would be ideal to get as many ex-unionists on board as possible. The language of accommodation is ill-conceived however, and the idea that the already accommodating Irish nation needs to somehow become more accommodating just to facilitate an already failing unionism is a nonsense.
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