Last night, the Conservative Party of Northern Ireland hosted a promotional and fund-raising dinner at the Europa Hotel.
Conservative area committee member, Tim Lewis, spokesman for business relations, introduced the speakers. The main guest speaker was Northern Irishman, Colonel Tim Collins O.B.E.
Tim Collins initially reminded us of the sacrifices made by our servicemen. There were 100 soldiers killed in Iraq in 2008. A similar number were killed in Northern Ireland in 1972.
He highlighted the achievements of Northern Ireland people in many fields including science, sport, military medicine and law and part of the reason for that which was its grammar school education system. He attacked Sinn Fein’s failed policy on the abolition of the eleven plus.
“I cannot think of anywhere else in the World where they replace a system having no idea of what to replace it with”, said Collins.
He highlighted the fact that politics was the one area Northern Ireland had failed to produce greatness. In a reference to the continuing success of sectarian politics, he called the Northern Ireland political arena a “self-contained fantasy land with no hope of rising beyond the petty.”
Making an oblique biblical reference, he made a jag at the DUP for their outspoken homophobia, “You will run into a pillar of salt. It will turn out to be Iris Robinson”, he said.
He highlighted our central objective, which is to bring Normal Politics to Northern Ireland. “We have to reach across the divide and do away with badges”, he said.
He highlighted the need to maintain and nurture our special relationships with the USA and the Republic of Ireland.
He acknowledged the political risks taken by the UUP and the SDLP to achieve peace in Northern Ireland. He made reference to the DUP and Sinn Fein having ‘stolen the clothes’ of moderation after many years of extremism likening them to “two bears who came to the centre who can only glare at each other without being able to move forward together.”
He spelt out the importance of detaching [toxic] labels and symbols, particularly from the point of view of the younger generation and made a plea to the UUP to let go of Ulster. “’Ulster’ is something we have to leave behind”, he said. “If we can leave labels behind, our children will reap.”
Jim Nicholson MEP
Tim Lewis then gave an especially warm welcome to Jim Nicholson, MEP who will contest to represent Northern Ireland on behalf of the Conservatives and Unionists. There were cheers and a loud applause when he said “… our candidate”
Mr. Nicholson gave a brief speech of thanks. He highlighted his Conservative credentials and his record as an MEP going back 20 years. He gave an indication of the challenges ahead, acknowledging and supporting the concerns of the Conservative Party in Europe. “We can add to the future of Europe.” He emphasized the need for a “soft landing” for the newly-joined Eastern European countries that look to the EU to help develop their economies.
Filed under: Conservative Party Policy, Identity, Iris Robinson, Normal Politics, Northern ireland, SDLP, Sinn Fein, ulster unionist party, Unionism, UUP Tagged: | Academic selection, Caitriona Ruane, Conservative Party, Conservative Party Policy, DUP, Good Friday Agreement, Identity, Iris Robinson, Jim Nicholson, Normal Politics, Northern ireland, Northern Ireland politics, Peter Robinson, SDLP, sectarianism, Sinn Fein, Tory-UUP linkup, ulster unionist party, Unionism, UUP
