Here’s an odd thing. In Northern Ireland Conservative and Alliance supporters are one and the same (pretty much). UUP supporters and Conservative supporters aren’t. Ditto voters.
Fact is the Alliance Party and the Conservative Party are much more aligned in terms of support than many people realise.
Meanwhile Alasdair McDonnell, in a rare blaze of clear thinking, has actually hit the nail on the head with the suggestion to Mark Devenport that the UUP and DUP are actually more at one than many people realise. Both Parties are populated with puny-minded NornIroners.
Meanwhile, the Alliance Party still hasn’t formally jumped into bed with the Libs (never will, I suspect). They have little in common with the largely looney-lefty Libs. Fact is, most Alliance voters are pro-Union, non-sectarian and free marketeers. AKA Conservatives. Just look at Ian Parsley – now a potential Conservative PPC.
So I throw down my gauntlet to old Fordy – stop all this nonsense. If you’re serious about non-sectarian politics – do what your members want. Form a real Alliance with the Conservatives, help annoy the UUP/DUP even more, and help secure a right-of-centre, liberal Conservative victory at the next general election (you know you want to).
When I interviewed her the other week, Naomi Long drew a strong line between the Alliance Party and the Conservatives/UUP.
(Naomi) … there’s no evidence that the Tory/Unionist linkup has actually even in its sights a less sectarianised form of politics in Northern Ireland. I mean the bottom line for unionism is that it’s unionists first and everything is about unionists first. And that’s true of the Conservatives as well. And I think they are slightly deluded if they think that people who previously voted republican or nationalist are suddenly going to see David Cameron posing in front of a Union Jack as a more attractive prospect.
… in the debate around policing and justice recently there was some discussion as to whether or David Ford was a unionist. And Reg Empey came out very strongly and said that if there’s any question that he’s not a unionist how could he be minister for policing and justice. So the unionist party hasn’t changed. They still see being a unionist as a prerequisite for being Minster for Policing and Justice and indeed I suspect a lot of other things.
The Alliance Party doesn’t hold that view. We believe that those with a nationalist perspective and a unionist perspective have equal rights to hold those posts and the issue – indeed those with neither perspective have a right in politics.
Alan, that’s all very well but people who vote Alliance are largely middle class and largely, I’d suggest, right of centre. As for the Union issue – it’s a non-issue. Alliance is pro-Agreement and, therefore, pro status quo i.e. in favour of Northern Ireland remaining part of the Union. There are no ifs or buts. But I’d whole-heartedly agree with Naomi’s last point – as would most Conservatives, I’d imagine.
Alliance’s problem is that it, too, fixates on the Union. Let’s just get on and participate in real politics. And Alliance voters/supporters can start by joining and getting involved in the Conservative Party (I’d recommend they stay well clear of the UUP).