Naomi Long, Alliance MP for East Belfast where much of the flags protests and violence have been concentrated, told the Alliance party conference on Saturday that the British and Irish governments have a crucial role to play in helping tackle sectarianism and division.
Ms Long said that her party rejected the politics of fear in favour of the politics of hope and aspiration. Quoting the late Martin Luther King, she said: “We must learn to live together as brothers or we will perish together as fools. Our choice, put bluntly, is between a shared future and a scared future. I for one am not interested in the politics of fear.”
Ms Long praised the “commitment and courage” of Alliance elected representatives, members and supporters who had been targeted in the flags protests because of the party’s motion that resulted in the British union flag now flying at Belfast City Hall on 15-18 days rather than all year round .
‘Political leadership’
“As a party we are not in denial that some in our community are fearful for the future – and whether those fears are real or perceived they must not be ignored. But it is the job of political leadership to address and allay those fears and not to manipulate, inflame or play on them for any perceived, partisan political gain,” she said.
“Whatever the problems and challenges we face as a community the solutions to them will never be found in a protest, in a riot, in reckless calls for divisive Border polls or in any segregated forum addressing the concerns of only one section of our community.”
The East Belfast MP said Northern Ireland has shared problems that required shared solutions.
“The rule of law must be respected not only when you like the law but also, crucially, when you don’t. Recourse to violence has absolutely no place in a stable, democratic society.”
Ms Long said renewed focus on healing divisions and on addressing outstanding issues from the Belfast Agreement was required not just from parties in Northern Ireland but also “crucially from the British and Irish governments who are joint custodians of this process and who have a duty and responsibility to ensure that progress and peace are sustained”.
Left behind
Northern Secretary Theresa Villiers told delegates that many people had told her the flags protests reflected “a feeling amongst some that they’ve been left behind”.
“Now I’m keen to work with Executive Ministers to look at how we can address genuine concerns that people have, so they feel they have a real stake in Northern Ireland’s future. But on one thing I am sure, this government will not be moved by people who wrap themselves in our national flag and engage in unlawful rioting and attacks on the police.”
Ms Villiers said Northern Ireland could not afford such street disorder.
“At a time when we’re in a global race for jobs and investment we need to be able to market the best of Northern Ireland.
“So I say again, let’s finally get these protests off the streets and start a proper political dialogue about how we resolve issues like flags and identity.”
