Reform Movement (Ireland)

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The Reform Movement of Ireland is a political and social organisation which has the ultimate goal of the re-establishment of Ireland as a part of the Commonwealth, with the promotion of a British cultural background throughout Ireland, North and South.

The group claims to be a voice for all Irish people[citation needed], and believes elements within Nationalism and Unionism have served to blur the diverse cultures of the island and to separate Gaelic-Irish, Anglo-Irish, Scots-Irish, and other cultures throughout the island. It believes the political scene in Northern Ireland is outdated, and that they represent a future vision for the Province of Ulster and Ireland as a whole.

Critics accuse it of being West British and apologist. It has previously voiced support for citizens of Ireland being given the right to apply for British passports, and for the Republic of Ireland's re-entry into the Commonwealth of Nations. The organisation describes itself as:

a non-denominational, non-party movement working towards a post-nationalist, pluralist Irish state in which there will be full recognition of the diversity of identities and traditions in our society. Reform members value both Irish and British traditions and believe that true reconciliation in Ireland and across our islands will not be achieved until we have a state that accommodates our overlapping cultures and identities. This means that the Republic of Ireland can examine the possible links as a state it has to the United Kingdom socially and economically. In this context Reform welcomes the creation of the British-Irish Council and supports the idea that Ireland should join the Commonwealth. Reform is committed to the better representation of the rights, concerns and aspirations of minorities in the Republic, as well as those of the majority community in the Constitution.

The group has expressed views that are critical of the status of the Irish language [1] leading some critics to question its commitment to pluralism and diversity. However Reform members would contend that they have no problem with anyone wanting to speak Gaelic but they do object to the privileged legal status which they claim the language unjustifiably enjoys.

The Reform Movement is a modified descendant of the southern and eastern Irish Unionist tradition.

Contents

[edit] Commonwealth

Others, such as Eamon de Valera[citation needed] and his grandson, Éamon Ó Cuív,[citation needed] have at times voiced sympathy for renewed Irish membership of the Commonwealth, which ended with the passing of the Republic of Ireland Act in 1949.

India was the first country, in 1950, to change from a Commonwealth Realm (and therefore with the British sovereign as head of state) to being a republic within the Commonwealth, which was the principal objection to continued Commonwealth membership at the time that the act was passed.

[edit] Passports

The Irish government at present allows the majority (everyone except recent immigrants) of people in Northern Ireland to claim Irish citizenship if they so wish, and therefore the Reform Movement states, the allowing of those Irish citizens who wish to have British citizenship and passports would reciprocate this.

[edit] Objections

Although many people in Ireland have never heard of them[citation needed], some people in Ireland object to the agenda of the Reform Movement, citing them as advocating a relationship for Ireland that is not at sufficient arms length from Britain[citation needed] and one which would severely compromise the sovereignty of the Republic. The principal objection of substance is that the Reform Movement appears to concede the idea that there may/should never be a united Ireland - the wish to see a united Ireland is a heartfelt principle for a sizeable number of people in the Republic[citation needed], even though a majority of the electorate voted to replace the Republic's territorial claim to Northern Ireland in the constitution with an aspiration to unity in exchange for a lasting peace process. Others believe becoming part of the Commonwealth is not necessary as the two states already share close economic and cultural ties in the European Union, as well as similar television, sports events, etc.

[edit] References

  1. ^ [1] official website of The Reform Movement

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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