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Proposed name change policy 'politically driven and flawed'
A PUSH to have the name of the city officially changed from Londonderry to Derry is politically driven and an attempt by the Nationalist-controlled Council to send a message that the city is not part of the United Kingdom.
This is the view of the Ulster Unionist Party's Foyle Association, which has submitted an elaborate and detailed response to Derry City Council's resolution to apply to the Privy Council to have the name changed.
The clock is now ticking towards Friday's deadline for responses to the Equality Impact Assessment Consultation (EQIA) on the name change, after which any complaints or concerns from the Protestant community will fall on deaf ears.
Consequently, the Foyle UUP Office in Bonds Street will be open between 1pm and 5pm today and tomorrow to facilitate people who want to complete their own letter of response to Derry City Council addressing the issue of the name change.
Local UUP Councillor Mary Hamilton will be presenting her party's response to Council officers at the Derry City Council building on Strand Road on Friday.
The UUP response itself focuses on what it views as a series of flawed arguments on which the proposed name change is based.
The application to the Privy Council to have the name of the city changed from Londonderry to Derry is, the party says, fundamentally flawed and confused.
In one section the draft policy states that the "vast majority" of people in the city view the name of Londonderry as an imposition.
"How precisely does 53 per cent constitute a vast majority?" the UUP ask. "The fact that 32 per cent have no strong view would suggest that the name of the city is not a pressing issue as Council wishes to suggest in pursuing its Resolution."
"In other words 86 per cent either take the view that Londonderry is acceptable or else they take the view that they have no strong view one way or another. Limited evidence that a vast majority feels that it has a name imposed on it," it adds.
The document also pours scorn on the argument for changing the name for "branding" purposes. This it portrays as a "red herring" disguising a baldly political agenda.
"Global commercial firms like Kellogg's or Coca-Cola seem to have no difficulty in marketing different products and names. The Council would have to employ the same marketing and promotion methods whatever the name," it argues.
"The importance of a brand is what it represents and not just a name. Marketing and promotion of the city should be about the business, commercial, tourist and cultural opportunities it represents.
"What Council wants to pursue is a political identity as opposed to a business or commercial identity. Intent is clearly focused on using the name change to send a message that the city is not really part of the UK," the party declare.
Similarly historical arguments for the name change contained in the draft policy consultation are viewed as out-dated and obsolete.
The UUP response reads: "The historical interpretation offered here is problematic. When Londonderry was built little of the monastic settlement remained and certainly was not developed as this interpretation suggests.
"This is akin to arguing that New York should be called New Amsterdam. The figures quoted later in the document do not support the contention regarding the majority."
In conclusion the Foyle Association have submitted a strong argument that changing the name of the city in the current climate will have a negative impact on relations in the city and that it contravenes the Council's Good Relations Policy.
The party considers Council's proposed actions will be viewed by the unionist community as further evidence that Council does not adhere to an inclusive policy when addressing the heritage, culture and political views of the unionist minority.
It believes the proposed name change will undermine attempts to nurture the commitment of all communities to address the future development of Londonderry as a shared city. Young people will be particularly demoralised.
As the document states: "The whole point of the Belfast and St Andrew's Agreements was to encourage our community to work together. The willingness of Derry City Council to promote a city with the name of Londonderry would be a positive signal of our desire and ability to do so."
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Weather for Londonderry
Sunday 27 May 2012
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Temperature: 12 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: North east
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Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
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