An equal society is one in which all members have access to similar resources and opportunities and in which they all value each other for their common humanity. As a Christian I believe that God is the Creator of all mankind and that He created them all equal in dignity and in human value. It is, therefore, a Christian imperative as well as an ethical political imperative that we proclaim that all men and women are born equal in dignity and worth and are, therefore, to be valued for their common humanity.

�

Large sections of the working and workless class unionist community have never enjoyed such a society. Traditional unionism has always sought to foster an hierarchical society where economic power and opportunity for social advancement were reserved for the chosen few - those to whom we were encouraged to doff the cap or touch the forelock.�

�

The peace process has not brought a great deal of change in 'liberal' unionist thinking. Words like equity and equality are as foreign to the mindset of modern-day 'liberal' unionism as they were to the mindset of the landed gentry who preceded them. The attitude displayed by certain elements within the civil service would indicate that they too are less than sympathetic to the principles of equity and equality.

�

It is my belief that the "equality agenda" will have to be dragged out of them piece by piece through popular protest and strategic community action. Thankfully there is a growing section of working class unionism that is determined to engage in such action. But to be effective we must forge liaisons with other disadvantaged sections of our community and co-operate in a common endeavour to ensure that the "equality agenda" of the Good Friday Agreement is implemented in full and in a wholly undiluted form.

�

Equality has, of course, become a dirty word. It is a concept that was grossly devalued during the reign of Margaret Thatcher, and which is still devalued by the front-line warriors of the New Right who are constantly seeking to create an underclass which can be discarded as worthless and used as scapegoats for the social ills of marginalised communities and inner city ghettos.

�

Even New Labour under Tony Blair has veered away, both from using the term and from engaging in the practice, as they move closer and closer to welfare capitalism and further and further away from the ethical socialism. Indeed New Labour has attempted to redefine the concept of equality. Whereas New Labour speaks in muffled tones about equality of opportunity, traditional "Clause 4" socialists were vociferous in their demand for both equality of opportunity and equality of outcomes.

�

If we are to ever to give real substance and practical expression to the clich�s of the post cease-fire period - Parity of Esteem, Respect for Diversity, Inclusive Dialogue, Sharing of Responsibility, Confidence Building, etc. - we must once again popularise the socialist concept of equality. (And, may I add, this is also the Christian concept of equality and fraternity for ethical socialism draws heavily upon Biblical concepts). More importantly, we must develop and implement policies that enable people to practice equality in all aspects and spheres of human life.

�

Equality is essential to democracy. Northern Ireland will never be truly democratic if any section of it is excluded from the institutions of state. And I am not merely talking about religious and ethnic minorities. I am talking too about the whole working class community which for far too long has been told that it's place in society (especially in politics) is to follow where the privileged classes decide to lead.

�

Equality will mean the removal of both privileges and deprivations so that both opportunity and positive outcomes are truly available to all. Equality is essential if proper relationships are to be promoted for it is the fuel that drives people into democratic relationships. It is the glue that bonds them in proper democratic actions and it will be the power behind a thriving non-sectarian process of participative democracy.

�