Embargo 14:15hrs
Context.
For a number of years now the Progressive Unionist Party have expressed their concerns, both publicly and privately, on the need for Republicans to show intent.
When the IRA issued a statement on 6th May last year, raising expectation in the Unionist Community that weapons would be put beyond use in the context of the removal of the 'causes of conflict', the PUP asked for clarification of what was meant by the 'causes of conflict'. We had always understood them to be the British presence in Ireland and in this context would mean 'Brit out'. No clarification was forthcoming.
In the intervening period we have seen the erosion of Unionist confidence in the Political Process. This has been for a number of reason:
- The expectation of movement on the arms issue by Republicans has never materialised.
- The constant 'in your face' politics by Sinn Fein e.g. the flying of the Union Flag, Easter Lilies, the Parades issue and 'Inquiries'.
- The ever-growing shopping list coming from Republicans and being delivered by the British Government in an effort to secure some minimalist movement to placate Unionism.
The continued lack of movement, language or action from the Republican Movement is based in the context that the 'causes of conflict' have not been removed.
If we do not know what they are, they remain unaddressed and unresolved and therefore the Republican shopping list gets ever-longer.
David Ervine has recommended that the Progressive Unionist Party withdraw from this phase of the political process on the basis that until we know the 'causes of conflict' and move into dialogue around them, this process will continue in the cycle we have witnessed until now.
Unionism demands. Republicans can supply but will not set the price.
The British Government give sweeteners to Republicans to set the price which they fail to do on every occasion. The price for Republicans is the removal of the 'causes of conflict'. If they are demilitarisation, equality, policing and normalisation then let's sort them out. If not, tell us what they are.
The Progressive Unionist Party has in turn decided to withdraw from this phase of the process and will meet with its wider membership in the coming weeks for further consultation.
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