Is it my imagination or is the British Government, led by Tony Blair, about to take Ulster down the dark and lonely road to a united Ireland. This week (18/10/02) Mr Blair said in his speech at the Port of Belfast, "We've reached a fork in the road." Which is an improvement on his earlier statement when he said Ulster was at the "crossroad's." So, there must have been some progress. But, if Ulster was at the "crossroad's" then surely this would have meant that Mr Blair had four routes to take. Did he choose the right route? I think he chose the route he had already planned. He continued on his route, got on the number 666 bus and headed down the road to a united Ireland.
But, when Ulster was at the "crossroad's" Mr Blair was presented with four routes to take.
Route number 1: Never, Never, Never Would have resulted in him telling the Republic of Ireland Government that Ulster says no to any interference in any form, whatsoever, by them. No backbone for this. No bottle. I think, Tony is trying to streamline the Country. Wants to rid Britain of places he sees as problems. Too much of tax payers money being wasted on trivial matters. Is this not the reason behind his plan to offer Spain joint Sovereignty with Gibraltar? What will be next Tony? The Falkland Islands? The Channel Islands? The Shetland Islands? Only you know Tony!!
For the life of me I cannot think why Tony did not chose this route. Is he afraid of the IRA and their continuation of war? If he is, don't be! After all they've continued their war campaign during the laughable ceasefire, this time they've operated under different names. The Continuity IRA, Direct Action Against Drugs and the Catholic Reaction Force are just a number that come to mind.
So, as we can see route number 1 is not the route for Tony.
Route Number 2: United Ireland Route number 1 was a no-goer for the British Government, after all not much underhandedness towards the Loyalist community to be done here. This leaves Tony three routes. Route two an all out united Ireland. We, all know that this is the final goal of Mr Blair. He may say it's not but who's he kidding? But, as we all know this will never happen. Mr Blair cannot afford to loose any votes. Simple as that! Don't be fooled, Tony could not give two figs about Ulster, or Britian come to think of it, but what he does care about is his image. He's working hard to have his cheesy image all over the press, with his pictured cuffs on his shirt sleeves, pity he does not wear his heart on his sleeve. Mrs Blair, sorry! Mr Blair would not take this route, yet, as he feels the Country is not ready for a commitment this big. Not enough troops. They are already at stretching point fighting the wars of the good old United States of America. Does he not understand that the people he is fighting, on behalf of the U.S.A have been supplying the very same people he has let into the House of Commons with guns and explosives for many years. Maybe, the authorities should also be checking the House of Commons for an I.R.A spy ring. Apart from Mr Blair not being ready to implement his united Ireland plan, this route would be blocked. Blocked by every descent Loyalist. You see Tony this has been tried before. Remember 1972? The Ulster was brought to a stand still. And, I think, if called for this could be achieved again. But, as I've already said, the British Armed Forces are already at stretching point. An all out war by the Loyalist Paramilitaries would stretch the troops to breaking point. After all Mr Blair, they've not gone away you know! But, Ulster does not want to go down the road of civil war. Peace is what is needed. Lets not get away from this fact. Over thirty years of pain and hurt is thirty years too much. But, for the British Government to consider route two would result in thirty more years of bloodshed. This is why Mr Blair is not taking this route, yet! If we are not careful he will. Be aware!
Route Number 3: Understanding and Dialogue Tony is starting to run out of routes. Two down two to go. Has Mr Blair chosen the right route here. He's taken the route of dialogue and understanding. But, while the I.R.A continue to, constantly, break their cessation of violence this route is a non-starter. Tony, you said it yourself! When you said that the Republic of Ireland Government will not accept Sinn Fien into any form of Government while the I.R.A continue their armed struggle, so why should Unionists have to endure them. Until the I.R.A are prepared to, fully, decommission then this way will be constantly blocked. You cannot even start to discuss the issue of understanding each others faiths and believes, not while one side is saying "give us what we want or we'll start an armed struggle." This is not just unacceptable it is also unreasonable to ask the Loyalist communities to accept this. This route could be a possible way forward, but first decommissioning has to take place.
Route Number 4: Referendum Tony is now down to his last route. He can take the option of holding a referendum to see what the people of Northern Ireland want, I think we all know the answer. If the majority, of Northern Ireland residences, vote to stay as a member of the union then you only have one route, that is route number 1. If it is a 50/50 vote then you consider taking route number 3.
As we now know Mr Blair decided to take Ulster half way down route number two, heading towards a United Ireland. Well, he thinks he is anyway.
So, where does Tony go now? He said himself that Ulster "has reached a fork in the road." Today (26/10/2002) Gerry Adams has said that the I.R.A will not disband, now now Tony what route do we take? You have two options. One is now to tell Sinn Fein that they are no longer welcome at talks until they have a firm agreement that the I.R.A will disband or decommission. Until they agree to this there can be no way forward. So, Mr Blair we have not reached "a fork in the road," and you don't have another choice!
