I see that Arlene Foster has said that she won’t be attending any events connected to the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising.
Well the unionist people need not worry as they will be well represented at these events by the neo-unionists of Sinn Féin. Before anyone thinks this is a joke let us examine the facts. It is said that talk is cheap and that actions speak louder than words.
Well Sinn Féin claim to be republicans but their actions show that they have betrayed every republican principle that they used to live by. How can they claim to be republicans when they sit, bought and paid for, in Stormont administering British rule in Ireland and in doing so they recently transformed the power to a Tory government in London allowing them to inflict savage welfare cuts on the most vulnerable in society.
What is republican about accepting the Orange veto that cements the six counties place in the union? What is republican about accepting that the PSNI, a British police force, has a legitimate authority in Ireland and that they have a right to use agents and informers against republicans? And what is republican about telling people it is their duty to give information to the British?
How can Martin McGuinness and others claim to be republicans when instead of trying to break the link with Great Britain they go around the world seeking investment for the six counties, thus strengthening the union? How can people who claim to be republicans celebrate Derry as a UK city of culture and fall over each other trying to lay wreaths at British war memorials for the same British army that caused so much death and misery to Irish nationalists?
Martin McGuinness, when he wasn’t banqueting with the Queen Elizabeth told us that there would be a united Ireland by 2016. It is somewhat ironic that not only was that another lie but thanks to Sinn Féin and others a united Ireland has never been further away.
S CASKEY
Belfast BT6
Decision to ban 16-year-olds from voting is undemocratic
I would like to voice my opinion and to condemn the parliament of the United Kingdom’s decision to ban 16-year-olds from voting in the European Union referendum. This is a measure I strongly disagree with, especially being 17-years-old myself. In general, not allowing 16-year-olds to vote in elections is undemocratic as many teenagers of this age have jobs, serve in the armed forces and even pay income tax, all without representation.
Not all MPs voted to deny the right to vote but most of them did and the majority were most likely Conservatives. It’s absolutely ironic and hilarious that Conservative MP Stewart Jackson condemned the House of Lords for trying to force the House of Commons to extend voting rights, “that the superannuated, unelected, unaccountable panjandrums in the House of Lords have told us what the elected House of Commons should be doing.” I say ironic because it was the aristocratic and unelected chamber of government that wanted to grant the right to vote, and the elected ‘representative’ chamber of government that blocked the right to vote.
Of course he talks of the democracy of the Commons after they have just denied the right to vote to a demographic group that I firmly believe wants to be more involved in the political process but cannot be due to the limited options for them to do so. When I talk of limited options I do refer to various youth councils and even the UK Youth Parliament, because all these bodies, when you think about it, have no real say in government decisions because what limited say they do have is based off on political campaigns and petitions, not actual executive authority.
As I said before, taxation without representation is wrong. Where is the logic in the belief that someone of 16 or 17 years of age can kill another man for his country but can’t decide on who runs it? Because of this, I would go as far as to say I believe that 16 and 17-year-olds should actually be allowed to run in elections as well as vote in them.
However, I don’t believe that this type of reform would be possible under a Conservative government as they most likely know that they have kicked the future of the British youth in the teeth and if they allowed the youth demographic to have a say on them in government their popularity would free fall.
If Saudi Arabia can allow women to vote and run in elections then David Cameron can allow 16-year-olds to vote in a single referendum, Scotland already has.
GERARD COLLINS
Belfast BT15
Golden opportunity for tourism
I would like to comment on the great debate going on at the moment about anthems to be played before European Cup games in France. Now I have to admit, that I have a lot of time for Queen Elizabeth II since her historic trip to Ireland but that aside, and given that the English team are most likely to opt for something even more English than God Save the Queen is the team not going to look a bit silly standing for music that doesn’t sound at least a ‘little bit’ Irish?
So, I have a suggestion. Remember when the great Barry McGuigan won the world title and his late father Pat sang Danny Boy, he had the loyalty of all boxing fans.
Can you imagine if we had one of our present-day singers like Imelda May giving her rendition of Danny Boy in front of hundreds of millions what it would do for tourism in this neck of the woods?
Tourism Ireland shouldn’t miss this opportunity because it may not come again for a long time.
SEAMUS McSHANE
Ballintoy, Co Antrim
Freedom of choice
Winnie McCulloch (January 20) chides Sinn Féin for its resistance to the wearing of a poppy. I can’t speak for Sinn Féin but I can say that many republicans and nationalists do not choose to wear a poppy.
This is not as Ms McCulloch suggests to demean anyone living or dead. It is because the poppy memorial has been hijacked here by those who have translated the memorial into a British-only type ceremony. In the wider sphere the term ‘poppy fascism’ is a description of how it is not a matter of choice but ‘de rigueur’ in many sectors such as the BBC.
Here the poppy memorial to the British dead of world wars has been relegated to a pro-union symbol and if people choose to wear a symbol that ought to be respected – just as those who choose not to do so – their choice must equally be respected.
MANUS McDAID
Derry city
Dilemma for electorate
Catholics and nationalists who believe in the doctrinal of the Church and who previously voted for Sinn Féin or SDLP in previous elections now find themselves in a dilemma over these parties stance on same-sex marriage and abortion.
Politicians it would seem have no problem coming back to the Church when it suits them, seeking the rights of passage for the blessings of the Church and yet vote for those things that are against the teaching of the Church.
Marriage between a man and woman is a sacrament that no human can dissolve.
The loss of Fermanagh South Tyrone by Sinn Féin in the recent by-election, some would claim, was the result of traditional Catholics staying away from the ballot box. People would need to think very carefully that those they vote for reflect the views they themselves hold.
WILLIAM AUSTIN
Craigavon, Co Armagh
Passing the buck
As predicted the BBC is now trying to wriggle out of old age pensioners’ entitlement to a free TV licence. The Conservative government would have been well aware of this eventuality when they passed responsibility to that body. In fact, they have caused the BBC to act like Mafiosi-hired assassins on their behalf while endeavouring to appear guiltless to the electorate.
DAMIEN GC DEVANEY
Larne, Co Antrim
