One of the key objectives of the Conservative Party is to help to bring normal politics to Northern Ireland. Already, this is a key theme in a large proportion of my posts. Constant attention to this theme will continue.
In short, there are two things needed in Northern Ireland to achieve normal politics.
One is that voters have an opportunity to chose which party governs the United Kingdom. We are part the way towards achieving this with the commitment of the Conservatives and UUP for its joint candidates to take the Conservative Whip in the Westminster and European Parliaments. The other half of that equation is that the Labour Party should be represented in Northern Ireland. A start has been made towards this objective. We may see the Labour Party make more progress after the next general election.
The other change needed to achieve normal politics requires changes in voting habits. For that change to occur, voters should be voting on political issues connected with Government administration rather than constitutional preference.
Over the next few months, I intend to dedicate this page as a reference point for anybody who would like to understand the problems being faced in bringing Normal politics to Northern Ireland and the way that is likely to be achieved.
I have already started this process by writing static pages on two related topics. One is called “Identity and Voting“. The other is called “”Conservatism and “Unionism“. In the course of writing this page, material from both of those pages will be referred to.
Seymour Major
22nd May 2009
