SDLP must not go on solo run
At these difficult times in the peace process, the strengh and
potential of the nationalist consensus-based approach should be
neither forgotten, nor underestimated. Nationalist inclusivness was a
pillar of the efforts that facilitated the current peace process. The
principle of consensus between the Irish government, the SDLP and
Sinn Féin as the representatives of nationalist Ireland has been the
guiding principle of the efforts undertaken these past years to bring
lasting peace.
In 1993, the Hume/Adams joint initative overseen by the Taoiseach
Albert Reynolds kick-started this approach. The IRA then called a
cessation that opened an unprecedented window of opportunity for
political progess. In the past, this nationalist voice of consensus
and inclusivness was the driving force that lead to the Good Friday
Agreement.
As the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement repeatedly hits
the hurdles laid by unionists, the voice of inclusivness has to
continue echoing. It has helped overcome the traps of obstructionism
and exclusion in the past. Today, the SDLP leadership has to be
mindful that pandering to unionism not only is not helpful. It
provides them with political cover and reinforces their
intransigence. The nationalist community is increasingly concerned
about the fact that this party did not push for the establishment of
an equality department and has left this fundemental issue to be
dealt with by David Trimble. The decision to not inform the Sinn Féin
team of the outcome of the final negotiations in the run-up to the 18
December agreement was disgraceful behaviour and contradicts the
spirit of the Good Friday Agreement. Furthermore, the SDLP should
have opposed the successful Unionist efforts to weaken the
All-Ireland implimentation bodies.
In the run-up to the 15 Febuary final report on the departments and
the All-Ireland bodies, abandoning the nationalist voice of consensus
does not encourage Unionists to recognise the legitimacy of
nationalist people to be represented in the Executive. It does not
help the agreement to be implemented. It does not help the cause of
peace.
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