ONCE AGAIN unionist and loyalist representatives in Derry have resurrected the issue of Protestant "alienation" in the city.
Throughout the week, numerous claims were made that Protestant culture, traditions, aspirations - indeed, their very way of life - are not taken into account by the majority nationalist population.
While some of the issues raised were worthy of co
mment, some of the debate, it has to be said, was spurious rubbish.
The question of Protestant alienation is by no means a new one. It has been raised before, particularly by the DUP's Gregory Campbell and William Hay.
And this week, the city's new Mayor, Drew Thompson, of the DUP, said the issue would be top of the agenda during his year in office.
However, what is often overlooked during this debate - and it's an issue that has caused some concomitant "alienation" within the nationalist population - is the oft-repeated assertion by unionist spokesmen that nationalist or republican "intimidation" is to blame for both the unionist withdrawal from the cityside and the general reduction of the Protestant proportion of the city's total population.
Notwithstanding sporadic and brainless attacks on the Fountain and Irish Street Estates, unfounded assertions such as these merely aggravate rather than allay the situation.
Not so long ago, the now Speaker of the Assembly, William Hay, made a positive contribution to the ongoing debate by pointing out that "it was up to unionist representatives to instil confidence in the Protestant community to enable them to live, work and socialise in Londonderry."
This was and remains an eminently sensible suggestion.
We agree that the Protestant community must adopt a positive rather than negative role in moves to tackle and solve any feelings of isolation or detachment.
The nationalist people of Derry certainly do not want a divided city.
If Aldermen Hay, Campbell and Thompson - or, for that matter, any other representatives of community or political groupings within the unionist fold - want to launch a real effort to ensure that Protestants play a full role in the future, in an atmosphere free from fear and in mutual co-operation, they will find a ready response from the nationalist people.
Indeed, Derry can hold its head high when it comes to providing a model of community togetherness for the entire North.
