The greater number of people in Northern Ireland desire the continuance of the Union with Britain. This has been proven time nd time again in democratic elections. Let no one be under any illusion that the Provos have known for a long time that they would have to come to terms with that straight forward, absolute fact.
The determination of the violent Nationalist movement to be repreaented at the negotiating table was always going to seem strange or devious to the Unionist community. They seem so clever! Well dont they? Certainly, they have managed by their so-called political skill to frighten out many whose job it is to 'defend' Unionism.
Consent. That principal which every Unionist demanded should be written large and in clear, unambiguous terms is the only vehicle upon which our society can move. The violent nationalists have, without quivocation accepted the demoncratic structures planned for Northern Ireland. In doing so the Unionists become frightened. Why?
All of Nationalism - including the provos have accepted the constitutional reality of Northern Ireland within the United Kingdom. How many Unionists or even Nationalists ever believed it possible?
Having withstood years of what seemed interminable violence and the sad politics of 'Order in Council' are we so insecure as to allow the emotional hype from both sides to cloud the real issues.
Northern Ireland shall remain part of the Union - as per the will of the people of Northern Ireland. Accountable democratic structures will allow us to govern our day to day lives in an atmosphere of relative calm as the security services protect our fledgling democracy form those who will not accept the real politick of the the will of the people
It is my genuine belief that the Agreement is as good as it gets. Some members of this community are shocked by the style and nature of the Agreement. Can this really be true? It certainly is true that we are all being challenged by how the future should look- of how we manage the enmity so raw after so much suffering. Buut given that we are a divided society, did anyone actually expect that all of what they wanted would be on offer. Of course there are those who believed that to negotiate at all was to sell out.
The nerve-ends of many are somewhat bared by the need to have opinion on the most important decision we have ever had to make. Each of us has the right to question - indeed worry - because the stakes are so high. Those stakes are about the future of our young and our yet unborn. Stability is most definitely a requirement for the future social and economic growth.
The democratic structures envisaged in the Agreement encompass the fractured relationships within these islands. A Northern Ireland Assembly with full representation across the political spectrum is important if we are to ensure that those who previously made a virtue of not accepting responsiblity are made resposible.
A North/South Ministerial council reliant upon the expressed will of the Assembley and dealing with such ' earth-shattering stuff' as Animal Health, Plant Health, Inland Waterways, Fisheries, Cross-Border Transport Links etc., is seen as a large price to pay to satisfy the Nationalist community`s need for an 'Institutionalised Political Expression' That may be so.
However, no subject can or will be dealth with in the Ministerial Council unless it can be proven to be the benefit of the people in both jurisdictions.
East/West relations are vitally important to the Agreement as a whole. No agreement could have been possible unless it addressed the the totality of relationships within the islands. This element of the Agreement conjures up some interesting thoughts if one casts onese mind back to the Irish Free State seceding from the Union. The inter-linking relationships among varied regions of the British Isles will lead to a robust and confident Northern Ireland.
Many 'important' people are jockeying for position and some are operating face saving strategy. None are more important than you the electorate.
Your choice! Your responsiblity!