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27 January 2011

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ULSTER UNIONIST MLA TAKES PART IN QUEEN’S UNIVERSITY SINN FÉIN DEBATE ON GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND ACT ANNIVERSARY

‘I’d accept Irish unity if it was fair and equal’

Ógra and Sinn Féin activists across the North helped clear snow-bound homes

ULSTER UNIONIST PARTY MLA John McAllister has told an Government of Ireland Act anniversary event organised by Queen’s University Sinn Féin that he would accept Irish unity if there was a majority consensus for it:
“Yes, I suppose I would have to if it was fair and equal to all . . . but I probably wouldn’t like it very much!”
Earlier, he had told the audience: “Partition is here to stay, whether you like it or not.”
The candid debate was held to mark the recent 90th anniversary of the Government of Ireland Act which was repealed under the Good Friday Agreement.
Sinn Féin MLA Alex Maskey opened the debate by outlining how partition was used as a classic divide and conquer strategy by the British Government. He developed on this point by noting how it continues to frustrate social and economic progress, North and South.
“Partition has led to discrimination in employment, a waste of hundreds of millions on maintaining the border, the external dependency of the two states, industrial under-development, unemployment, emigration and poverty.”
John McAllister unsurprisingly had a different view from Alex. He spoke of how he would like to see the North of Ireland remain closely linked with Britain. He spoke of his loyalty to the crown and how he was proud to say that he is a British citizen, though he conceded he saw the merits of an all-Ireland health service.
A number of interesting questions came from the floor but the response of the night surely went to John, who when asked if he would support Irish unity if there was a majority consensus for it, replied:
“Yes, I suppose I would have to if it was fair and equal to all . . . but I probably wouldn’t like it very much!”

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