Our Beliefs: Diversity
We believe that there is no one single definition of Britishness.
Our nation is comprised of people of different races, faiths, political views and sexual orientation. We believe (to steal a quotation from Jacques Chirac) that the United Kingdom is "stronger when it is brought together in its diversity."
We believe, due to Northern Ireland's social conservatism, women have never been granted full equality of opportunity within both the business and political spheres. Whilst glass ceilings are being removed, there is still much work to be done. Northern Ireland is too small a place for any people of talent to be denied for whatever reason. the opportunity to reach their full potential.
We believe that within our own part of the UK, diversity should be actively encouraged, we welcome the different perspectives and ideas that people of different cultures and faiths bring to our society. With the growing ethnic minority communities in Northern Ireland, it will become more important than ever to ensure everyone feels they have a stake in politics.
More specifically to our way of thinking, there is no logical reason why a white Protestant male makes a better Unionist than anyone else. Different perspectives can bring fresh new ideas, which are imperative if any political movement is to survive and prosper in the modern age.
The UK, the Commonwealth and the European Union contain people of many races and religions and we are proud that Northern Ireland is a part of these entities. But this membership brings with it, not only benefits, but also responsibilities, we look forward to the day when in Northern Ireland everybody treats their neighbours, regardless of creed or race, with the respect and consideration with which they themselves would like to be treated.
We believe Unionism should not feel threatened by the Irish element in its identity, but be positively encouraged to explore and develop it further. The 2 countries on this island share much of their history and culture and it would be akin to cutting off your nose to spite your face to deny this fact. This does not mean embracing the symbols of militant republicanism or celebrating acts of rebellion against Britain, we simply desire the opportunity to recognise and acknowledge that which unites as well as that which divides us.
With the population of Northern Ireland rapidly changing, Unionism should not (and actually cannot) any longer rely on demographics for its survival. Not only is it a good way to lose a fight that ought to be won, it is morally wrong to expect complete but exclusive support from one tribe. If the only reason someone supports an argument is an accident of birth, then there was never much of an argument to begin with.