THE Apprentice Boys of Derry have been keeping alive the memory of the
Siege of Londonderry 1688-1689 for centuries.The traditions we maintain and celebrate, and through our festival have
explored and re-imagined for the twenty first century, will continue well beyond the lifetime of even our youngest member.There is nothing to suggest that this will take place in anything other than the United Kingdom in 2021 or for decades after.
The fundamentals of the modern British Constitution were settled when
William was presented the throne of then England. Core to the Apprentice Boys commemorating the Siege is its importance in laying the foundations of civil and religious liberty upon which our liberal democracy is founded.The Union, first between Crowns, then between the peoples of England,
Scotland and then of Ireland, has never been static.
There have been changes in the balance between king and parliament, in the balance between Houses of Parliament, and between nations
whether through secession or devolution.Change has defined, reshaped and reinvigorated the United Kingdom. British democratic institutions have a capacity to flex and include all parts of society. That is what we would expect from a tolerant and open people who believe in and cherish civil and religious liberty for all.
It is for people to judge for themselves whether or not their politics, politicians and political institutions live up to those standards we would wish.
The Apprentice Boys of Derry is a commemorative, cultural association.
We have not been shy in opening our doors and opening conversation with others.
Far from diminishing our cause, we have been enriched, enthused and reinvigorated through dialogue. However, we can only enjoy civil and religious freedoms when peaceful expression of those freedoms is protected under the rule of law.
There is no balance of rights between peaceful expression of culture and the authors of violent confrontation.
Those who demonise others traditions and whose words are indifferent to violence must be held accountable for the division and harm they bring to communities.
The shutting of the gates was one of the greatest historical acts of passive resistance: ordinary people, the young apprentices, acting while their politicians dithered.
The siege story is not one of an undivided people. There were doubts and disagreements, debate and division within the walls. Yet from the time of the shutting of the gates there was largely a unity of purpose, and a determination in respect of the principles to which those within the walls aspired: civil and religious liberty.
No one man is remembered as the leader of the siege: Walker, Baker,
Mitchelburne and Murray are all recalled equally for their part. There are many siege heroes, not least the young apprentices and the people themselves.Leadership is not confined to the politicians and we must all play our part in shaping the future to 2021 and beyond, each in our own way.
As governor of the Associated Clubs of the Apprentice Boys of Derry, I look forward with optimism for the future.
Remembering that when Walker read Rosens terms of surrender he went to St Columbs Cathedral and on opening his Bible his eyes fell upon the words of Psalm 37:
�Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be though envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down, like the grass and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord and do good, so shalt thou dwell in the land and verily thou shalt be fed.�
�
