Tom Griffin (London, OK): Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams spoke at Westminster last night on the latest leg of an international tour intended to build support for a united Ireland. In the event, it was a remarkably open-ended occasion, one much more about canvassing ideas than about presenting a finished strategy.
That tone is also reflected in Adams' piece in Comment is Free today:
To achieve all of this requires those of us who share these goals to find ways in which we can work together. Is it possible to put in place a formal structured broad front approach to campaign for a united Ireland? Or would it be better to opt for an informal, organic and popular movement based on core principles?
One definite proposal is for a major conference in Britain next February:
Of course this conversation, this dialogue, with people here in Britain or in the US or elsewhere will not in itself achieve a united Ireland. That is a matter for agreement between the people who live on the island of Ireland. But British policy toward Ireland is key to unlocking the potential for this change to occur. So, we need the active support of people in Britain.
We need to reach out to the widest possible public opinion, to the trade unions, the business sector, the community and voluntary sector, to the political class, as well as with those of other ethnic minorities who have experienced a similar history of colonisation and immigration.
One interesting moment last night highlighted some of the dilemmas of building a broadbased campaign in Britain. Adams remarked that there may yet be an independent Scotland before there is an independent Ireland.
Dundee West MP Jim McGovern argued that there was no appetite for Scottish independence in the Irish community in his constituency, and noted that while Scottish Labour MPs were well represented at the meeting, there were no SNP MPs present.
"I don't want to become embroiled in Scottish politics" Adams responded.
I was quoting Brendan O'Leary, but to be frank, I don't believe in Kingdoms of any kind, United or otherwise. I'm a republican. I don't believe in elites of monarchies or all of that nonsense.
Brendan O'Leary did make a very interesting and informative speech, which is probably available on the web somewhere. But he did make the point that in terms of the politics of these islands, and he's making this point as a political scientist, that Scotland could have its independence before Ireland. Whether he's right or wrong is another matter.
Diane Abbott MP returned to the subject in closing the meeting:
There was reference to the situation in Scotland. I wouldn't dare as an English MP say anything about Scottish politics. I know our Scottish colleagues in the context are sturdy unionists, but let me say this. Whatever you think of Alex Salmond, and my Scottish colleagues don't think much, there is no question that his activities have tended to loosen the ties that bind unionism. Whatever Scottish people think about it, he has acted to weaken unionism among English people, and that cannot be not advantageous to the cause of Irish unity. My own brief contribution from the floor was a plea for Irish republicans to take note of the renewed interest in republican ideas in sections of the British left, and to set the case for Irish unity in the context of the possibilities for a broader republican ethos emerging out the demand for political reform in the wake of the expenses scandal.
