Regular readers of ATW will know that I enjoy the writings of Ulster Unionist thinker Alex Kane - one of the few sane voices in the UUP. So, I am looking forward to hearing what he reckons to the Empey-driven UUP link up with the UVF's proxies. As is always the way with these things, it can be easy to see shades of grey but in truth the Ulster Unionist embrace of the PUP/UVF should be nothing short of repulsive to all decent unionists. To my mind this is a strategic blunder of monumental proportions - and whilst our gutless NIO lickspittles in the media gloss over it - I believe decent people may decide never to vote Ulster Unionist again.
Sometimes I fear Ulster Unionist readers get me wrong. I have no big grudge against their Party - but the direction it has taken over recent years, and the catastrophic leadership has not just alienated people like me - but tens of thousands of others. Unionism as a political ideology must uphold prime British values such as respect for law and order. By linking up with Davy Dictionary the UUP have just let themselves down. I am sure Alex will have an interesting opinion on all of this and I look forward to reading it....
Alex Kane has done quite a turnaround . He used to be a big supporter of David Trimble and his policies. And look where they took Trimble and the UUP .
Surely he has a credibility probelm ? I'm not aware he ever admitted he was wrong.
Posted by: Paul Breen - Turner | May 17, 2006 at 03:01 PM
He really does appear to have gone to ground since this story broke. I tried three or four times to get a comment from him on Slugger, but to no avail.
Posted by: Loyalist | May 17, 2006 at 03:32 PM
" Unionism as a political ideology must uphold prime British values such as respect for law and order"
beautifully illustrated dave, they have abandoned the fine traditions of Unionism in favour of blairite style a moral power grubbing. what an end for the party of craig and carson, the party of the true uvf.....
Posted by: jaun | May 17, 2006 at 04:31 PM
Don't call him dave!
Posted by: Colm | May 17, 2006 at 04:34 PM
"Unionism as a political ideology must uphold prime British values such as respect for law and order"
as seen in that prime example of law and order that helped set up the province of NI - illegal import and possession of weapons, instigation to mutiny and defiance of the statutes of Parliament.
Sure Ervine is in the ha'penny place compared to that! His lot got their guns from the agents of the lawful government.
Posted by: Cunningham | May 17, 2006 at 05:14 PM
I was just thinking to day that the reason that I am so upset about all this is that despite what has happened with the UUP from the BA onwards is that I still can't shake off all the years of identifying with that vrand of unionism that it appeared to represent. (Even with being more inagreement with the UKUP/NIUP philosophy). The UUP were there as I grew up. My Dad was a member. So even though I've had little to do with it for years, I still don't like to see it let me and itself down.
Posted by: Aileen | May 17, 2006 at 08:41 PM
I've spoken to Alex by telephone and I assure readers he is as disgusted and perplexed as most other Unionists are.
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