Where SDLP led, others followed

AS we study the contents of the St Andrews Agreement, it is important to reflect on the comments of Senator Maurice Manning who said in the Seanad a few years ago: “What we are witnessing is a victory for constitutionalism and peaceful democratic politics of the type practised by the SDLP for 30 long, difficult and unrewarding years. In a real sense, everyone is a victor today, but if there is an ideological or philosophical winner... it is the SDLP because its brand of politics has triumphed”.

The fact is that people who advocated physical force republicanism have yielded to democratic, constitutional nationalism and the non-violent and peaceful politics of John Hume and Mark Durkan.

The SDLP never had to budge or change its position. Everyone else had to change their minds, the IRA about violence and unionists about discrimination and a refusal to share power with nationalists.

As Mark Durkan said on November 11, 2001: “A quick political survey shows that we now have more people on more roads to Damascus than the Syrian bus fleet. For decades it was democratic consent. SDLP led. Sinn Féin followed.

“For decades we called for an end to violence. SDLP led. Sinn Féin followed.

“For decades we called for the threesets of relationships that are now at the core of the Good Friday Agreement. SDLP led. Others followed.

“More recently, it was decommissioning. SDLP called for it as a requirement of the agreement. Sinn Féin followed.

“This year it is policing. SDLP have led. And I bet you know what I’m going to say next. That’s right. Sinn Féin will follow”, Mark Durkan predicted.

The SDLP’s consistent and courageous policies have been vindicated. The only tragedy is that more than 3,000 people had to die before other parties recognised that more could be achieved by peaceful and political means.

The urgent task now, post the St Andrews negotiations, is for all parties throughout Ireland to restore the political institutions under the Good Friday Agreement and build an inclusive democracy and a lawful society.

Cllr Tim Attwood

SDLP Upper Falls

2 Lakeglen Green

Andersonstown Road

Belfast