Since the creation of the Good Friday Agreement the 32 County Sovereignty Movement has put forward our position both in Ireland and on the international stage that the agreement will not lead to the restoration of Irish sovereignty. We in fact argued the opposite, that the Good Friday Agreement would in fact help Britain to copper fasten its rule in Ireland.
We pointed to the acceptance of the unionist veto over Irish unity, the removal of articles 2&3 of the Free State constitution and the lack of any strategy beyond a sectarian headcount whereby any proposed referendum would ultimately have to be accepted by the British government. We also highlighted the contradiction of the British government who claimed to have no ‘selfish interests’ in Ireland while also claiming publicly that the North of Ireland was vital to their power in the UN, their economy and their Geo-political interests.
We pointed to the acceptance of the unionist veto over Irish unity, the removal of articles 2&3 of the Free State constitution and the lack of any strategy beyond a sectarian headcount whereby any proposed referendum would ultimately have to be accepted by the British government. We also highlighted the contradiction of the British government who claimed to have no ‘selfish interests’ in Ireland while also claiming publicly that the North of Ireland was vital to their power in the UN, their economy and their Geo-political interests.
Those who sought to enforce the Good Friday Agreement did so with false promises, hollow slogans, jobs for specific supporters as well as attacks and the execution of IRA volunteers under the ultimate direction of the British government.
Those who pontificated about its chance to deliver a ‘shared future’, and an ‘Ireland of equals’ did so from a position of sectarian politics and savage cuts which were far from equal. While they maintained the mirage of delivering a United Ireland via a referendum which they hoped would deliver Irish unity. Its proponents believed in convincing unionists to support a United Ireland as well hinging its achievement the rising birth rates of Catholics who would traditionally be from the nationalist community. While again, we in the 32 County Sovereignty Movement pointed to the ridiculousness and contradictions of such a strategy.
Those who pontificated about its chance to deliver a ‘shared future’, and an ‘Ireland of equals’ did so from a position of sectarian politics and savage cuts which were far from equal. While they maintained the mirage of delivering a United Ireland via a referendum which they hoped would deliver Irish unity. Its proponents believed in convincing unionists to support a United Ireland as well hinging its achievement the rising birth rates of Catholics who would traditionally be from the nationalist community. While again, we in the 32 County Sovereignty Movement pointed to the ridiculousness and contradictions of such a strategy.
Now we have seen in recent weeks the Southern government, Stormont and the British government all claim that the 50+1% vote constitutional nationalists were hoping to achieve is no longer a big enough margin to secure unity in any such referendum. They now claim that the ‘overwhelming majority’ within the North of Ireland, must vote for Irish unity. This has created the peculiar position of annihilating the position of those who supported Sinn Fein’s stance and the Good Friday Agreement as an internal settlement which could achieve a United Ireland. While some may insist these statements are contrary to the agreed settlement, the settlement also contains the stipulation that the results of any referendum on Irish unity must be accepted by the British government.
Once again we see that the Good Friday Agreement does not offer any path to Irish Unity. Neither has it removed sectarianism, ended political oppression or delivered any form of equality. Only when the British occupation of Ireland ends, can we secure the sovereignty of Ireland and the sovereignty of the Irish people.
Beir Bua!
