Peter Taylor's book 'Loyalists' was a fantastic read. It provided me with insights about loyalists that I would not have considered as a republican and the work was particularly eye-opening with regards to the class character of many who were actively involved in loyalism (particularly loyalist extremism). What it solidified for me is that the ethno-religious divide has its origins in the divide-and-conquer political maneuvering of ruling classes throughout history, relative to different socioeconomic systems and this is commonly understood across the world as a factor in divisions that exist in colonial/post-colonial nations, regions and states. Frantz Fanon's 'The Wretched of the Earth' comes to mind. Both "sides" came largely from working class backgrounds with one side being denied civil rights in favour of a different group which enjoyed a manufactured superiority that has its roots in the plantations - James Connolly provided much insight into this aspect of Ulster's history and how it formed loyalist identity. In spite of this false sense of superiority, loyalists often felt as if they had their own struggles - particularly class struggles - and this highlights just how an ideology such as Ulster Loyalism can be understood as a prime example of false consciousness, serving the interests of an elite via the sewing of sectarian divisions within society. Of course, one might make a similar argument in relation to Irish nationalism but, for the most part, mainstream republicanism had progressive principles at its core (and even revolutionary principles) and many republicans strove to recruit Ulster Protestants into the cause (think of Ronnie Bunting), whereas loyalism was, by and large, a reactionary ideological current. There are exceptions to the latter, such as with regards to men like David Ervine who was mentioned extensively towards the end of the book, as was his party, the Progressive Unionist Party. However, one only has to look at the politics of Unionism and loyalism today in order to see what happened to such a flimsy political framework after the peace process was put into place. I don't mean for this to sound sectarian - these are merely my thoughts after reading Peter Taylor's book and I would recommend it to all. Looking forward to watching this - thanks for the upload.

Really looking forward to this one thanks

Thank you for the upload. Interesting to see the loyalist in the North’s approach to the English loyalist who were mostly UDA supporters. Some of those loyalists in videos would have made good comrades to dispose of the Enemy of both side the British Government at the time. Ask the British MP today where Antrim is and they’ll answer is it a German town, folk of the North are the forgotten people to Britain. Anyone political in England their only concern is how much they take home in pay and not to the people who vote for them, who they call idiots.

Glad there’s peace now in the north of Ireland the people have been through hell as war is hell as two world wars proved Ulster has always been the conflict green field as history proves

The problem in the the north or NI is THAT CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN EDUCATED TOGETHER IN PRIMRARY SCHOOL ARE SEGRAGATED IN HIGH SCHOOL. THIS IS SHOCKINGLY TRUE IN 2023. THIS IS WRONG

The seventeen year old that was shot for being a catholic, it was like the nazis killing the Jews , and for him to admit he pulled the trigger is shocking , may god forgive him , I watch this , and only now I realise how lucky I’ve been walking to work which was in the europa hotel and often going to house parties after work in areas I should not have been . I was the lucky one 🙏

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Winky Irvine trying to speak with the balaclava on

An absolute hell hole it was. Never again.

Barbaric acts of violence was the norm back then and thank god we have moved away from the man of violence to a democratic situation we have now but please do not ever forget the dark days of The Troubles because if you do you are bound to repeat them

Gang of cowards the lot of them

UVF/UDA were no more then MI5 fronts

It certainly was barbaric…that’s the understatement of the century.

Northern Ireland was the perfect place to advertise divide and conquer

Craig, a bitter, twisted fughir. “ I seen nothing wrong with it”

And who's laughing now. Who's the majority? Who????? 🇮🇪 🇮🇪 🇮🇪 🇮🇪 🇮🇪

Ireland forever.

THANKFULLY OUR YOUNGER GENERATION SEEM TO HAVE SENSE, AND FROM WHAT THEY HAVE SAID (thank god they have no idea of the past) THEY HAVE ABSOLUTELEY NO ISSUES

💘 'Promo SM'

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The similarities then to what’s going on in the Palestine today is palpable, settlers , occupation, separation , hatred, imposed oppression, well ! If anything could be learned from our troubled land is Peace talks and dialogue with respect to both sides