Such an attitude should be second nature to Irish Republicans. The leadership of the I.R.S.P. calls on the working class in Ireland to vote no in the referendum on the Good Friday Agreement. No because the agreement institutionalises sectarianism and encourages the northern working class to stay stuck in the camps of nationalism or unionism. We consider unionism an essentially reactionary philosophy based on imperialist attitudes of racism and supremacy. Yet that same unionism under the new assembly is elevated to a position of being able to block any progressive moves towards a unified state.
Sectarianism is to be now considered a legitimate expression of cultural identity.
Unfortunately, until the division of Ireland is ended it will be extremely difficult to move towards such an ideal. Partition is itself the main bulwark of reactionary ideologies. Any genuine socialist must see that the ending of partition is the prerequisite step towards socialism. Breaking from both unionism and nationalism will be the best step the Irish working class could do. Whether Republicans continue to wage war or not is outside the control of prisoners yet some will be victimised because of things beyond their control.