Sinn Fein today unveil Charter for Unionist Engagement

[factual]

Today Sinn Féin took their Unionist Engagement strategy one step forward with the launch of the Charter for Unionist Engagement

The CUE can be downloaded here:

http://www.sinnfeinassembly.com/medi...ter%5B1%5D.pdf

The Director of Unionist Engagement, Martina Anderson, launched the document today, along with Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness.

The charter outlines how Sinn Féin would protect the rights of all sections of society in a united Ireland and sets out how it will engage unionists and other groups about its strategy including:

:: Campaign for a new agreed Irish Constitution based on the separation of powers between the executive, legislature and judiciary which would be endorsed by the people and also press for a charter of rights.

:: Decentralise decision-making to empower citizens and include minorities in the processes which impact on their lives.

:: Ensure all groups including those traditionally excluded from economic, social and political power are given equal rights and respect.

:: Make sure government delivers not only tolerance towards all religions, races and marginalised groups but eradicates sectarianism, racism and other forms of discrimination.

:: Guarantee a full separation between Church and state, with civil and religious liberty for all, everyone free to practice their faith and no religion having a preferential position in society.

:: Promote a national reconciliation process across Ireland.

Gerry Adams has previously stated that this is the most important of all the work that Sinn Féin is engaged in.

[MuchToDo]

SF and much of the Irish population would not be able to stomach what would be needed for a united Ireland. There would need to be a British dimension to the new state.

I would suggest that now that the British have had "the Irish question" answered, what remains is for Ireland to have "the British question" answered.

"Brits out" isn't exactly a realistic plan for Irish unity.

[factual]

SF and much of the Irish population would not be able to stomach what would be needed for a united Ireland. There would need to be a British dimension to the new state.

I would suggest that now that the British have had "the Irish question" answered, what remains is for Ireland to have "the British question" answered.

"Brits out" isn't exactly a realistic plan for Irish unity.

I think what is notable here is that Sinn Féin are the only ones doing all the heavy lifting when it comes to unionist engagement.

[MuchToDo]

I think what is notable here is that Sinn Féin are the only ones doing all the heavy lifting when it comes to unionist engagement.

Bertie and Paisley? Sure one can be cynical and say it was all a photo-op, but I can't see Paisley having participated just for that.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy enough to see Sinn Féin take this tack. It's certainly an improvement on their previous plan of action.

[KeithM]

Campaign for a new agreed Irish Constitution based on the separation of powers between the executive, legislature and judiciary which would be endorsed by the people and also press for a charter of rights.

A new constitution only impacts people in the Republic and therefore is irrelevant to 95%+ of unionists on the island.

:: Decentralise decision-making to empower citizens and include minorities in the processes which impact on their lives.

"Motherhood and apple pie" in my book.

:: Ensure all groups including those traditionally excluded from economic, social and political power are given equal rights and respect.

Excellent, I'm looking forward to how SF intend to engage with Unionists in the Republic, a group that has been ignored or ridiciuled by the party until now.

:: Make sure government delivers not only tolerance towards all religions, races and marginalised groups but eradicates sectarianism, racism and other forms of discrimination.

Given the size of the party in this country, their ability to anything that ensures the government do anything is simply nonsense.

:: Guarantee a full separation between Church and state, with civil and religious liberty for all, everyone free to practice their faith and no religion having a preferential position in society.

I'm looking forward to SF telling us how they will elimiate the role of the church in state sponsored schools and hospitals

:: Promote a national reconciliation process across Ireland.[/quote]

Given the damage they've done to reconcilliation over the past 40 years, it will probably take almot as long to get us back to where we were!

[factual]

Campaign for a new agreed Irish Constitution based on the separation of powers between the executive, legislature and judiciary which would be endorsed by the people and also press for a charter of rights.

A new constitution only impacts people in the Republic and therefore is irrelevant to 95%+ of unionists on the island.

:: Decentralise decision-making to empower citizens and include minorities in the processes which impact on their lives.

"Motherhood and apple pie" in my book.

:: Ensure all groups including those traditionally excluded from economic, social and political power are given equal rights and respect.

Excellent, I'm looking forward to how SF intend to engage with Unionists in the Republic, a group that has been ignored or ridiciuled by the party until now.

:: Make sure government delivers not only tolerance towards all religions, races and marginalised groups but eradicates sectarianism, racism and other forms of discrimination.

Given the size of the party in this country, their ability to anything that ensures the government do anything is simply nonsense.

:: Guarantee a full separation between Church and state, with civil and religious liberty for all, everyone free to practice their faith and no religion having a preferential position in society.

I'm looking forward to SF telling us how they will elimiate the role of the church in state sponsored schools and hospitals

:: Promote a national reconciliation process across Ireland.

Given the damage they've done to reconcilliation over the past 40 years, it will probably take almot as long to get us back to where we were![/quote]

OK, but can't you see any benefits from Sinn Féin's unionist engagement strategy? Have you downloaded and read the charter (its only 2 pages)?

[factual]

I think what is notable here is that Sinn Féin are the only ones doing all the heavy lifting when it comes to unionist engagement.

Bertie and Paisley? Sure one can be cynical and say it was all a photo-op, but I can't see Paisley having participated just for that.

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy enough to see Sinn Féin take this tack. It's certainly an improvement on their previous plan of action.

Good to see you recognising the positive nature of this.

You can see the motivation of Bertie when you see Paisley photos liberally splashed all over the FF website.

Sinn Féin on the other hand represent those who have been maltreated by unionists and so are doing the real heavy lifting when it comes to outreatch.

[Cael]

Oh God! The Charter for Unionist Engagement, no less. Is it anything like Enda's Citizen's Charter? Did you pay some yankee spin doctor to come up with that title? If I was a Unionist Id just tell you to fvck off with such crap - I suspect they will anyway.

[sarak]

the shinners have no credability on this front, this just looks like a pr stunt. the best way to advance unionist engagement would be for the current leadership to step down.

[jjcarroll]

Oh God! The Charter for Unionist Engagement, no less. Is it anything like Enda's Citizen's Charter? Did you pay some yankee spin doctor to come up with that title? If I was a Unionist Id just tell you to fvck off with such crap - I suspect they will anyway.

Spot on. Éire Nua has proven successful in persuading many unionists to change allegiances, why anyone would pursure a different strategy is beyond me.