Loyalism in Development

Issues impacting upon ex-prisoners Research has found that prisoners with a conflict related conviction are three times more likely to be in receipt of working-age benefits and are also three and half times more likely to be unemployed than those without such a conviction (Shirlow, 2019). Issues of unemployment were in fact found to be the most significant in relation to the physical and mental ill-health of ex-prisoners. The use of medication for depression is nearly twice as high for unemployed politically motivated ex- prisoners when compared to those in employment (Shirlow, 2019). Ex-prisoners also tend to have difficulties with family breakdown, travelling abroad and gaining insurance as a result of their conviction. The General Health Questionnaire method found that 38% of loyalist ex-prisoners scored higher than the normal threshold for emotional distress symptoms, and almost 40% said there were times when they did not wish to live any more. These mental health issues were also found to be linked to alcohol dependency (Shirlow, 2014). The UVF/RHC and the political process The UVF/RHC had called a ceasefire in November 1973 and were engaged in talks with political representatives and republicans (Cusack and McDonald, 2007). In April 1974, then British Home Secretary Merlyn Rees de-proscribed the UVF (and Sinn Féin) to help bring them into the political process. At this point in time UVF prisoners, in particular, were engaged in conversations around a more peaceful political dispensation for Northern Ireland, including advocating a Bill of Rights which would protect the rights of all citizens (Novosel, 2013). The UVF aligned Volunteer Political Party (VPP) was therefore established in June 1974 with Ken Gibson as the party Chairman. In the Westminster election of October 1974, Gibson stood for the VPP in the West Belfast Parliamentary Constituency and received 2,690 votes – this vote paled in comparison to the vote gained by Ulster Unionist Party candidate Jonny McQuade (who received more than 16,000 votes), and the poor electoral result led the UVF to abandon – for the meantime – its foray into politics. But education and politicisation had been promoted among UVF/RHC prisoners from the first arrival into Crumlin Road jail, and subsequently Long Kesh – with Gusty Spence often probing new arrivals with the question ‘Why are you here?’ to ascertain their grasp of the complexities of Irish history and the current political situation (Mulvenna, 2016; Edwards, 2017). Such a politicisation process amongst prisoners in Long Kesh would lay the foundations for the Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) to emerge in 1979 (though there had been a Progressive Unionist Group formed in 1977). In 1998, the PUP would secure the election of two members, David Ervine and Billy Hutchinson (both former UVF prisoners), as members of the newly created Northern Ireland Assembly.

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