TUV opposes Londonderry name change
08 September 2009
In connection with the attempt by the Council in Londonderry to have the name of the City changed to 'Derry', TUV Leader Jim Allister has responded to the consultation on behalf of Traditional Unionist Voice in the following terms:-
Mr Damien McMahon
City Secretary and Solicitor
Derry City Council
Council Offices
98 Strand Road
Londonderry
BT48 7NN
Dear Mr McMahon
Re: Application to Privy Council to have the name of the City changed from Londonderry to Derry.
I write to convey the strong objections of TUV and those we represent to your Council’s attempt to have the name of the City of Londonderry changed.
I would have thought even those blinded by anti-British bigotry would see that already within Londonderry the Protestant and Unionist minority has been grossly marginalised. Proceeding with this most divisive name change proposal will accentuate the alienation and set back inter-community relations even further. Is this what the Council wants? Surely not!
With the Equality Impact Assessment recognising that the legacy of such a change being pushed through will be cause further significant deterioration in relations between the Council and its Protestant and Unionist minority, the Council should abandon this unnecessary and sectarian proposal. If, as I hope is the case, your Council values good inter-community relations then, leaving the name of the city alone is the powerful way to demonstrate such. The positivity of such a decision would reap benefits, whereas pressing ahead, knowing the irreversible alienation being inflicted, will sow discord, leaving Londonderry the poorer and your Council a byword for partisanship. The choice is between inclusivity and estrangement. I trust you will choose the former.
There would not be much point in having a city statue epitomising reaching out in inclusivity, if by your actions you eschew the respect for diversity implicit in retaining the historic and cherished name of Londonderry.
Yours sincerely
Jim Allister QC
