The 12th Man: The Orange Order vs. The People

On the weekend that has been billed to be the most infamous Twelfth in years, possibly since Drumcree, the question still remains as to why the Orange Order seems to motivate such support in modern Ireland.

Robinson recently failed to condemn intimidation
 of a Nigerian man in East Belfast

The last 18 months have seen growing discontent amongst Unionist communities over issues such as flags, housing and dealing with the past - leading to several examples of racist attacks and protests over flags and symbols. Peter Robinson's reaction to this has been to run and hide from voters, fearing a backlash should he be seen to accept new reforms whilst doing little to prevent them.

In recent weeks with the growing publicity around the Parades Commission's decision to disallow the Ligoniel Bands to pass Ardoyne, Robinson has staunchly backed the Order in a judicial review of parading and backed a 'graduated response'. This is not a new tactic from the Unionist political class. 

A retreat to Orangeism and trust in the 'orange machine' has been a tactic used by Unionists as far back as Carson, whenever the Unionist political class feel under threat. After Home Rule the Order were used to destroy the labour movement, a movement helping both working class Catholics and Protestants, and promote sectarianism. These divide and conquer tactics have been typical ever since, Orange manipulation in a Protestant middle class dominated media corrupted the early civil rights movements and Housing Action Committees in Derry in the late 60s, claiming IRA involvement and motives of partition in what was really a workers and residents rights movement. 

The laughable 'Ulster Covenant' mock up at the press conference of Unionist leaders was a clear example of a retreat into Sectarian divisions and promotion of old jingoism. This clearly shows that promotion of the outdated and discriminatory values of the Order is Robinson's 'siege mentality' reaction to retain the Protestant vote. Sectarian carve ups in electoral politics have not been uncommon even in recent years and it is clear recent reluctance to crack down on extremist elements amongst Loyalist communities is due to a wish to retain what the DUP believe to be the 'core Protestant vote' and maintain their relevance as a party of conflict. 

We can only hope that in the coming weeks the reaction to whatever events occur on the Twelfth weekend, (at time of writing 3 people have been stabbed in Belfast on the 11th night) the reaction is stronger than the action from Orangeism, and the people can finally abandon old conservative Unionism and move on as a single community. The coming years of Tory austerity policy and hard times could see a return back to the Troubles of Northern Ireland, or it could finally see a United labour movement abandon old divisions and move on together. If that progress is to be made however, the outdated discriminatory politics of the Orange Order and those who follow it must be removed from the face of society. 

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