Can a crocodile change it's scales - change for the better?

 

I was recently asked by the new Impartial Reporter Editor Rodney Edwards to write a few words on the news of Arelene Foster being announced as a new contributor. And rightly so. I have been very critical of Arelene Foster on social media, while she was in office at Stormont, and out of office.

Foster’s brand of unionism to me represents everything wrong with politics in Northern Ireland. Her instant dismissal of any other viewpoint is neither welcome nor welcoming, particularly for the middle ground.

This was brought home to me in 2014, when as the then Minister for Trade and Inward Investment she was at the forefront of an attack on Alliance MLA Anna Lo, for remarks she made stating that partition of Ireland was artificial. At this time, I was the Alliance Party representative for Cookstown and Mid Ulster. As a Nationalist, I saw no contradiction in my aspirations for Irish Unity and my membership of the Alliance Party. It is as much an aspiration to support reunification as it is to support and maintain the union. Another example of her sneering disdain for alternative viewpoints.

Over the intervening years I have watched her position harden to the extent that there was nowhere left to go. The ‘feeding crocodiles jibe’ is an example of this. I would suggest that her switch in allegiance from the UUP hardened her approach to politics here, especially in the male dominated DUP of 2004.

She now can express what I would call her far right viewpoints via the Impartial Reporter each week. This is to be welcomed, as is robust debate and counter argument.  It is for Nationalists, like this one, to engage with our unionist brothers and sisters on how best to move the country forwards.  Over the coming weeks and months, it will be interesting to see if her viewpoints have softened following her exit from the DUP.

Fosters’ views, and that of unionism generally, are at a critical crossroad, demonstrated by the timely intervention of DUP founder Wallace Thompson and his view on a ‘New Ireland’. I sincerely hope that she uses her new platform to explore the opportunities this intercession provides. For me this ‘New Ireland’ would facilitate bringing my grandchildren to Orange Order parades like those in Donegal, with no sectarian trappings or veiled sectarianism. Afford me the opportunity to celebrate with you. It would allow everyone to celebrate what it is to be Irish, every 17^th of March and to protect and revere all and every religious belief, and none.

Over to you Arlene.