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David Ervine - The Man Who Swallowed
A Dictionary
Anyone who knew David Ervine or knows
of him will appreciate the title of Bobby Niblock’s play - The Man Who
Swallowed A Dictionary. In its humorous description of David’s style of
speaking and wordiness it reminds us of a political leader who was an able and
determined advocate for working class loyalism. His sudden death in January
2007 at the age of 53 left a political vacuum within loyalism and wider
politics which has never been properly filled.
The Progressive Unionist Party which David led has failed to garner the popular
political support that it was once thought capable of under his
leadership.
I have not yet had an opportunity to
see Bobby’s play but friends who
have thoroughly enjoyed the one-man show.
They praised the script and actor Paul Garrett who successfully
brings the nuances and David’s voice to life on the stage with just two
large books, a bushy moustache and a pipe as his props.
During the course of the negotiations
leading to the Good Friday Agreement and in the years afterward I met David
many times. Among other
things we were both pipe smokers. He was also articulate, genuine, and deeply committed to his brand of
unionism. He had a good
sense of humour. He was very socialable. In Kerry in support of the project
involving young people from East Belfast to build a replica of
The Jeanne Johnson - a ship used during the Great Hunger to transport starving Irish
to America - David and Martin Ferris would often adjourn to a
local pub to scull pints and chat about sport.
But he
also had no illusions about the
challenges facing all of us as we worked to chart a course from conflict to
peace. While the Ulster Unionist leaders refused to talk to Sinn Féin
throughout the negotiations leading to the Good Friday Agreement David and his colleagues played no such games.
An east Belfast working-class
Protestant David Ervine was drawn into the loyalism at an early age. In 1972 he
joined the UVF and two years later he was imprisoned in Long Kesh for
possession of a bomb. David spent five and a half years there. When he was
released he was more politically and socially conscious. He was
self-assured, confident and argued for greater positivity and dialogue within
unionism. In the discussions that were taking place in the 1990s about moving
from conflict into some sort of peace and political process David’s voice, along
with Billy Hutchinson and others, became increasingly important and
influential within the protestant/unionist/loyalist (PUL) community.
He often criticised unionist
political leaders for using loyalist paramilitaries, and the threat of loyalist
violence, as leverage in their confrontations with the British and Irish
governments, and who then discarded them when they no longer mattered. “If
anybody in Northern Ireland thinks that the Protestant working class community
has benefited from the mechanisms that they [the DUP] advocate, then there is
something wrong with their heads.” Two decades later and this dangerous
game is still being played although it has to be said many loyalist
groups go along with this despite being conscious of being used by unionist
parties.
On another occasion talking about
sectarianism he said: "Many people come from places where drawing-room
sectarianism is at its worst … and they have luxuriated and benefited as
society, divided more and more, crashes on the rocks." It is a great
pity that today’s loyalists don’t see the folly of this. They continue to allow
themselves to be used.
In an interview with Danny Morrison
in 2002 David acknowledged that the conflict had its origins in the North’s
one-party unionist state and the discrimination levelled against Catholics. At
a time when the issue of Irish Unity wasn’t attracting the interest it is today
David said that he would “accept a united Ireland if a majority in the North
votes for it.” His preference of course was to make the North work for
everyone. His thoughts on what motivates unionism are probably more relevant
today than they were 20 years ago when the current momentum toward Irish Unity
was not so strong.
He told Danny: “You’ve got to
understand how unionism works. There is a huge insecurity within unionism.
Unionism really hasn’t had time to settle. They feel that the republican
agitation is never going to stop. The one thing that unionists lust for is
stability. It’s the one thing they have never had.”
At David's Funeral
Later he said: “I am what I am. I am both Irish and British but I’m a democrat too… There’s nothing more fascist than someone telling you what you are, especially if you perceive yourself to be somewhat different… We are steeped in concepts of Britishness… but those who are the legal arbiters are the people of Northern Ireland. It is absolutely legitimate for republicans to argue the validity of a united Ireland but the new dispensation is worthy and there should be no Plan B. My mother and father were Irish, my grandparents, and very simplistically so. But there are arguments about the haunting mist of the 1937 Constitution that forced the unionist people to re-think their Irishness.”
If he were still with us we could
have a good debate over some of this. But nonetheless today we increasingly see
protestant/unionist voices embracing the notion of being Irish and of equality
and parity within the context of constitutional change. If David were here now
he would be in the middle of this conversation, smoking his pipe and
advocating his views.
His sudden death in January 2007 was a
shock. Alex Maskey and I attended his funeral in East Belfast. It was an
opportunity to let his wife Jeanette know how much David was respected and of
our sincere gratitude for the immense contribution he made to the peace process
and to the Good Friday Agreement.
Street Art.
When I had the honour to represent the fine citizens of Louth and East Meath
Richard and I spent a lot of time in Dublin. In between marathon shifts in
Teach Laighean we used to walk the streets of the capital. Both of us were taken by the
initiatives to paint utility fittings like electric boxes with images of local
or national figures, pithy slogans, landscapes, iconic landmarks and abstract designs.
Drab grey metal was transformed into
bright eye catching and mind lifting street art. Now I see this is being
replicated in Belfast. Naomh Pól and Rossa are leading the way. Very well done.
Let’s see other clubs doing their thing. And images also of local people or
flora and fauna or relics of the linen industry or butterflies, local
landmarks and local art.
Mól An Óige.
If you are in Belfast between now
and November 9 call into the Gerard Dillon Gallery in An
Cultúrlan McAdam Ó Fiaich on the Falls Road and marvel at the brilliance of the
young students of Coláiste Feirste. Fair play to them all and to their
teachers. The future is bright. They are a valued and wonderful part of the
arts and wider community. A credit to themselves, their families, to Belfast
and Ireland. Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí
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