Sectarianism and Lisbon

Reading the latest press release by Labour’s Alan Kelly you would think this was 1972 and this release was coming from the IRA. It is truly an incredible statement to come from a politician in Europe. Playing the sectarian bigotry card. Alas no it is a release from 2009. Alan Kelly seems firmly intent on playing that card for all that it is worth.

I hope Mr Farrage and the UKIP party come bearing a Union Jack singing ‘Rule Britannia – Vote No’ and I hope he’s seen around Kilmainham Gaol, the GPO or Soloheadbeag. Imagine the reception they’d get.

We are in the EU a member of the community of nations. Where we co-operate and work together for common goals. Yet Alan Kelly seems to be suggesting that the flag of one of these nations coming to Ireland is offensive. Indeed he seems to be suggesting that it should get an angry reaction if seen. Is that what we should be encouraging? Is that the level of debate that Alan Kelly is willing to engage in? Considering that the one big nationalist symbolic place in Ireland that he does not mention is Croke Park, would he add Croke Park as a place that the Union Jack (Technically it is only the Union Jack at sea, Union Flag on land. But i digress) would get a reception? Rather than attacking their stance on issues, instead he attacks UKIP’s nationality .I mean Great solidarity of nations there.
He also harks back to the old Sinn Fein rhetoric.

I presume they’ll come over with their imperialist rhetoric. The thought of their smug smiles turns my stomach.

Yes imperialism that old chestnut. Enough said.

“Mr Farrage and his people are out of touch when it comes to Europe and they are certainly bordering on insanity if they think Irish people would in any way listen to them. 700 years was enough. Those days are over”

Now as UKIP have not been around for 700 years I guess he is referring to listening to British people when he says “his people”. That 700 years was enough time to listen to British people. Oh lovely, our closest friend and exporter should not be listened to, what a policy platform to advocate.

Now I am not going to be drawn into a debate on the merits or not of UKIP’s policies on Lisbon because Alan Kelly does not talk about them. Instead he attacks them for being British.
He attacks the symbols of our nearest neighbour. He plays the sectarian hatred card. And for what a cheap press release. This guy really is a clown and a dangerous one at that. Anti-British bigotry is far too accepted in Ireland and for a MEP to readily embrace it shows we have a long way to go.

Politicians should be striving to eradicate it from Irish life not encourage it. I hope that this release gets taken down and Kelly apologises for this truly offensive tosh.