We are not returning to days of the sycophant and lickspittle

IN his column headlined ‘Where’s the Irish Mandela to lead us back into the Commonwealth?’ (September 29), Steven King performs a welcome volte-face in his apparent admiration for Nelson Mandela.

As the special adviser to the former Northern Ireland First Minister David Trimble, Steven King, presumably in line with Ulster Unionist Party policy, regarded Nelson Mandela and the African National Congress (ANC) as terrorists and supported the US decision to include him and the ANC on the US State Department’s list of terrorist groups.

In his call for Ireland to consider rejoining the Commonwealth, Steven King joins that small, totally unrepresentative, Anglo-centric, neo-unionist minority wishing to restore the ‘British dimension’ to the 26-county state. It is tempting to dismiss those like Steven King who favour Commonwealth re-entry as political cranks and malcontents, but this would be a mistake. People like him, by virtue of their profession, have the ability to influence out of proportion to their size.

Despite the machinations of the political elite and remnants of southern unionists, there is no significant support for Commonwealth re-entry.

This is not a demand that is coming from the public. The Irish state formally left the British Commonwealth in 1949 with the establishment of the Republic of Ireland. At that time this policy was seen as a natural further step in the direction of a fully sovereign Irish state, separate from Britain. Today, a full 61 years later, there are figures among the political elite calling for the restoration of the Commonwealth link. I take the view that rejoining the Commonwealth would be a backward step. It would be seen as a rejection of the separatist aspect of Irish nationalism and it would also create a climate favourable to the re-birth of hiberno-unionism.

In terms of international affairs, we would once again become a ‘White Commonwealth’ dominion on a par with Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Much of Europe would interpret our move as a “return to the fold” and a rejection of our policies of separation from Britain. Alongside the armies of Britain and other Commonwealth dominions, the Irish defence forces would be expected to participate in Armistice Day ceremonies and wear the Poppy.

Remembrance Sunday is the most solemn day in the calendar of the White Commonwealth. Even French Canada must display due respect. No allowances will made for the Irish who will be expected to conform and participate fully.

The reanglicisation of the state would once again bring about attitudes of subservience and servility among sections of our political and social elite. A return to the days of the Viceregal Lodge.

Britain, undoubtedly, would continue the practice of handing out gongs to selected Irish citizens in the form of knighthoods and other titles of ‘nobility’.

We would be shamed once again by the obsequious antics of those whom Gen Tom Barry once described as sycophants and lickspittles. Our relationship with our nearest neighbour must be based, and respected, on our sovereignty and independence, not on whether we agree to return to the Commonwealth.

Tom Cooper

Delaford Lawn

Knocklyon

Dublin 16