In view of the epidemic of symbolism currently sweeping Stormont, is it time to remove Edward Carson’s statue? Yes, you say, and perhaps you had in mind a statue of Pearse, Connolly or Wolfe Tone in its place.
However, since none of those would support Stormont’s institutionalised sectarianism, maybe a replacement statue should more accurately reflect the policies and practices of our two main parties.
The evidence shows that Sinn Féin and the DUP are effectively re-enacting George Orwell’s novel 1984, which exposes the use of language for political control.
George Orwell's novel 1984 introduced the concepts of 'doublethink' and 'newspeak'
The DUP practices Orwell’s “doublethink” (agreeing with two opposing views on the Irish Sea border at the same time).
The science of being a rainbow in someone’s cloud - Anne Hailes
DUP and SF’s doublethink worthy of Orwell’s 1984 – Patrick Murphy
SF does the same. It is now in charge of expanding our economy. As part of its (“inevitable”) economic war, the IRA blew up shops, offices, hotels and whole streets in our towns and cities. By claiming to promote the local economy, SF is now effectively undermining the demolition work of the IRA. Meanwhile, the party implies that this is a natural extension of the IRA campaign. Orwell at his best could not have imagined that.
- The naked cynicism of our politicians as public services flounder – Patrick MurphyOpens in new window
- The Irish News view: Health was to be Stormont’s number one priority. What’s gone wrong?Opens in new window
- Patrick Murphy: Stormont isn’t working because the Good Friday Agreement isn’t working - we need a new system of governmentOpens in new window
A first minister for all would encourage a conversation about the north’s future, in union with either London or Dublin. However, prompting talk solely about Irish unity is not a conversation. It is a controlled agenda. In 1984 that was called “newspeak”.
Both the DUP and SF practice Orwell’s “blackwhite”, whereby the party is always right, even arguing, as some people would, that a black crow is white. SF attacks the Dublin government’s housing record, but only 5,379 new dwellings were completed in the north last year, the lowest annual figure since 1959.
Michelle O’Neill and Mary Lou McDonald at Stormont after Sinn Fein took the post of first minister (Liam McBurney/PA)
Orwell’s Animal Farm describes how when rebels gain power, they insist that they are more equal than others. Stormont MLAs eating subsidised meals are obviously more equal than children going hungry to school and those with private health insurance (would they like to tell us how many?) are more equal that the 700,000 on the NHS waiting lists.
But, you say, SF promises not to introduce water charges or a major rates hike. Yes, but that headline is aimed at Dublin’s electorate. SF watched the decline of public services here until they gained the first minister post and then they campaigned on funding.
Until the southern elections are over, SF in the north is assuming power without responsibility and, unwittingly, the DUP is part of that southern election campaign.
SF has rewarded them with the education ministry. This represents a triumph of ignorance over reason. Don’t be fooled by the optics – nothing will change here until our education system changes.
The DUP's Paul Givan is the new education minister (Rebecca Black/PA)
However, if a statue of Orwell would be inappropriate, how about one of Karl Marx? (You can almost hear the Assembly shudder.) He wrote that history repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce. The tragedy was the 1641 rebellion, when armed Catholics attacked towns across the north (similar to the recent IRA campaign).
Its leader was Tyrone’s Phelim O’Neill, who claimed he was fighting for Charles I against the threat of parliament. Last week Charles III sent a letter of congratulations to another O’Neill, whose party refuses to enter parliament, but honours an unelected king. Not much changes in Tyrone.
If Karl Marx is not to your liking, how could we accurately honour the fairy tale environment of Stormont? There, beyond the harsh reality of the outside world, make-believe romance blossoms among our political royalty, against the backdrop of the majestic Stormont Castle.
Should Carson's statue outside Parliament Buildings be replaced by a statue of Walt Disney
Yes, that’s it: a statue of Walt Disney would best reflect the fantasy land of Stormont, which has burdened us in the real world with unprecedented social and economic inequality.
Or maybe we should just stick with Carson’s statue. His sectarian interpretation of society still pervades Stormont’s ethos. In any case, when we listen to what passes for “debates” at Stormont, it is not the statue outside which is the problem, it is the large number of statues inside.
A statue of Walt Disney would best reflect the fantasy land of Stormont, which has burdened us in the real world with unprecedented social and economic inequality
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