THE MEDIA have been unanimous in their condemnation of the Rev Dr lan Kyle Paisley and his imitation of Sir Margaret Thatcher is even said to be annoyed at Paisley's cavorting around hillsides in the north of Ireland and his parading there of some 500 loyal sons of crucisin Paisley from Socialist Challenge would appear rather small beer. Still, it needs to be pointed out just what exactly Paisley is up to.
In modelling himself so closely on Edward Carson's tactics in the 'Ulster crisis' of 1912, Paisley is doing as Carson did and threatening civil war. That is a serious business and it would be a mistake to dismiss Paisley's latest antics as no more than buffoonery.
Throughout this century the 'Loyalists' in the north of Ireland have threatened to use massive force unless they got their way, and throughout this century that mere threat has been sufficient to enable them to get their Loyalists have had the unqualified support of the Tory Party when promising violence. The term 'Ulster will fight and Ulster will be right' was first coined, way back in the 1890s, by the most respectable of Tories, Randolph ChurHow will the present Tories react to this latest action-replay of Churchill and Carson?
Despite their protests against Paisley it can be pointed out that the Thatcher government. as Witn tne previous already permits the existence of a mass, unofficial army of Loyalist volunteers.
This goes under the name of the Defence Association now openly admitting that its members have murdered and attempted to murder supporters of the Republican revolutionaries' was how Tyrie recently described the thugs under his command, and indeed they are.
If the Tories sanction the UDA they also defend, promote, Defence Regiment, members, officially under the control of the Army, naVe countless acts of Catholic population in both parts of Ireland.
If British politicians were sincere in their condemnation OT Paisley equally antagonistic towards the UDA and UDR. Specifically, they should call for the immediate disbanding and disarming of that regiment.
The threat that revolutionary' population of Ireland is likely to grow if the new hunger strike, announced last week by the Irish political prisoners, goes ahead. It is, of course, no reason for calling off that strike.
Britain might give in to Loyalist blackmail, but Republicans know that maintaining and strengthening their resistance to all aspects of British presence in Ireland - including the home-grown Loyalist variety - is their best defence accust source they come.
Similarly, ( for wondering hunger strike - assuming it does start on 1 March - is the most immediate mobilising focus.
It needs to be said that the support received in Britain for the hunger strikers last time was disappointing. But at least the failures of that campaign lessons for the next round.
Those lessons will be discussed at the Troops Out Iviovement conference, scheduled for the weekend of 14-15 February.
Socialist Challenge will be discussing in a subsequent issue how best support for the prisoners can be won. In the meantime the justice of the prisoners claims for political status remains.
However difficult it might be, the promotion of those claims once more demands the attention of socialists in this country. Forthe moment, standing firmly with the prisoners is the best answer to Paisley.
Socialist Challenge 12 February 1981 Page 2 a denunciation of Ulster whose leadership is