Unionism In Londonderry

It is a poor indictment of the community in Londonderry and the governance of those primarily responsible for civic affairs that, as reported in the Londonderry Sentinel of last week, Dean Morton of St Columb's Cathedral finds it necessary to draw attention again to the lack of consideration and imbalance in terms of parity of esteem afforded to that heritage and culture most associated with the Protestant community in the city.

In doing so, he is serving to repeat the warnings and frustrations inherent in the words of Bishop Kenneth Good, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, also of the Church of Ireland, who did much the same in October 2002, almost seven years ago.

If anything the situation seems to have grown worse.

In saying that, it is not to deny the effort made by schools and community groups to address division and promote understanding of the diverse cultures within the city but it would seem, if we are to base our assessment on the situation pertaining to the Apprentice Boys Annual Parade when the attitude from many councillors and the trading community is anything but welcoming, that we may for a time manage to forget our problems but we don't really solve them.

There is a distinct feeling that if they could wish away this expression of the city's culture and heritage they would. Yet, as we choose to live in a community where symbols are important, why is it that it is only the symbols of one of our two communities which is permitted a foothold and that is those of the minority population which seem to intimidate and offend? They would do well to remember that you can only hold a man down by staying down yourself.

The demographic patterns established in the city over the last thirty years of conflict are well understood. The movement of Unionists away from the West bank of the Foyle has been one of the greatest drifts of human population in modern times. Symbol after symbol of the unionist ethos and culture evident in school, churches, businesses as well as sporting and social organisations have vanished from the heart of the city.

Studies undertaken in the interests of research into community relations bear witness to the problems that lie within. In Key findings, they give expression to feelings of isolation and vulnerability experienced by young people in unionist and loyalist communities and express concern at the segregation within some areas and the need for a welcoming and vibrant city.

There is a perception within the unionist community that employment patterns within Derry City Council do not reflect the proportional breakdown of the populationand that decisions taken by Council seem to favour one side of the community - witness those favouring the GAA and organisations promoting the Irish language. City Centre Initiatives ignore the Waterside. There is great emphasis placed on North-South relations with no equal emphasis on East-West.

One is entitled to ask what key players in the governance of the city have done and are doing to address these concerns.

Judging from the publication of the Visitor Guide and its omission of key cultural and historical sites, associated with the history and heritage of the minority population, and the reaction of some local political and community leaders to the street violence following the recent parade by the Apprentice Boys where they once again want to seem the wrong appear right, the answer would seem to be - not a lot!

The lines drawn by semtex are being reinforced by indifference, lack of understanding and lack of purposeful action.

Not without some understanding Unionists feel little association or identification with a city where they have to seek permission to express their culture, where they cannot freely access education and social opportunities and where development is less than even-handed and where Council leaders govern over the dysfunction of the community.

In its approach to the development of the much needed re-generation of the city, the Unionist party has, in spite of the indifference of the Council to Unionism, sought to be constructive in advocating a well-managed co-ordination of the best advice and options available avoiding the 'band-aid' and failed approaches of the past. The Party has taken its place in discussions where others have been absent. However Unionism is beginning to ask why it should be concerned with the whole city when the whole city is clearly not concerned with the interests of Unionists.

However, this is a trap and state of mind we must not fall into.

To do so will be to abandon the desire for and commitment to the creation of an open and pluralist community which can and must be the only firm and just foundation on which this community can build a future

In failing to exercise good governance of its minority community and in failing to craft a community that is inclusive the nationalist majority fails everyone, not least its own constituency. A political stance is about choice and Unionism will not endorse or mirror this stance.

In so doing the Unionist party in the city would wish to see the unionist and loyalist community address the fragmentation which weakens its ability to present its case. Whilst there are fundamental differences which inform strategic approaches to a number of issues there are many of mutual interest and vital to the well-being of the unionist and loyalist community. If a broadly-based representative forum was to come into being to explore how a way forward could be addressed, this party would be willing to play a role.

Such a forum could address the need for justice, cultural equality and freedom for everyone.

These are not privileges in the gift of those who exercise governance of the city. Rather are they rights over which the city leaders exercise stewardship.