nature of Unionism was noted by the Cameron Commission in 1969 when it concluded: 'In certain areas, Dungannon, Armagh, and in particular, LOll the arrangement of ward boundaries for local government purposes has produced in the local authority a permanent Unionist majority which bears little or no resemblance to the these relative numerical strength of Unionists and non-Unionists in the area. As we show later there is very good reason to believe that these arrangements were deliberately made and maintained with the consequence that the Unionists used, and have continued to use the electora majority thus created to favour Protestant and Unionist supporters in making in particular senior officials and in manipulating housing allocations for political and sectarian ends.' Discrimination Unionist politicians notorious for discrimination and sectarianism. These include open statements of incitement to violence, condoning of expulsion of Catholic workers from jobs and incitement to rebellion. There is no evidence whatever that the Unionists are Since 1981 the Labour Party has been committed Irish unity. has adopted policies opposing the most ex treme abuses of civil liberties in Northern Ireland. Acceptance of a Unionist veto on Irish unification is inconsistent with policies. The reunification of Ireland cannot be hostage to politicians wno nave a record merely of sec tarianism and discrimination The will of the majority of the Irish people is clear - they want a united Ireland. The majority of the British peo ple, even, want Britain to leave the North of Ireland. Labour must adopt that policy as its own Table 2: Unemployment rates for Protestant and Catholic Males Protestant Catholic Ratio 1971 census 6.6 17.3 2.6 1981 census 12.4 30.2 14.9 35.1 2.4
Socialist Action 11 Dec 1987