Callum Glenny

Queen’s University Belfast Young Unionists

Speech at the Ulster Unionist Party Conference

#UUP17

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Good morning fellow unionists,

My name is Callum Glenny, and it is my privilege to address this conference today as Chair of the Queen’s University Young Unionists.

Being from the background that I am, there would be no prizes for guessing why I am a Unionist. I am from the small town of Newtownhamilton in South Armagh, not far from where we are today gathered. My family have lived in the Newtownhamilton area for many generations, and throughout the years have been committed Unionists.

As someone born in 1997, I thankfully did not have to witness the violence and destruction that previous generations had to. But still, as a Unionist from South Armagh you learn a number of things. You learn that you need to hold your views unwaveringly, and that you will need to be able to defend your views when they are challenged. But you also learn that not everybody shares your beliefs, and that does not prevent friendship and good neighbourly relations. Holding beliefs, being strong and confident in those beliefs, does not need to offend anybody if those beliefs are communicated in a respectful and appropriate manner.

Conference, in my year as Chair of the Queen’s University Young Unionists, this is the manner in which I intend to conduct business. Queen’s, similar to South Armagh, is seen as a place that is portrayed as hostile toward Unionism. Whilst canvassing with the Queen’s YU over the past year in constituencies all throughout Northern Ireland, upon informing whoever answered the door that we were from the Queen’s young Unionists, we were frequently met with expressions of shock and bewilderment. It seemed inconceivable to many people that Unionism at Queen’s could rally so many young people. Well I can say today that Ulster Unionism is alive and thriving in the historic Queen’s University.

At the fresher’s fayre last month we had 75 names on our list by the end of a very long day in the Students Union. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who helped at the stand that day, our efforts were clearly rewarded by that remarkable number. In the Queen’s Young Unionists we set ourselves apart by adopting a healthy mix of political and social events. Our first trip was the annual tour of Stormont, at which the presence of Robin Swann, Robbie Butler and John Stewart was greatly appreciated. The trip to Stormont was followed up with a trip China-China, an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet, last week, where I foolishly put the claim all-you-can-eat to the test, and left feeling arguably too full. It certainly was a deviation from my student diet of pasta, microwavable meals, or whatever can be put between two slices of bread to constitute a sandwich.

We have a year of such events ahead of us, combining politically informative events such as guest speakers, with social events such as paintballing.

Conference, the crowds we rally for canvasses during election time, or for events during term time should fill us with confidence. However, it fills me with still more confidence to say that we are the dominant force of Unionism at Queen’s University where it really counts, and that is on the student council. I am pleased to report that in the student council election two weeks ago, eight members of Queen’s Young Unionists were elected; an increase of 5 from the year before. This will ensure a very visible, and audible presence therein. A strong Unionist presence is essential in the student council. We need to be there to ensure that all within the University are fairly represented. With our combined - and clearly growing - strength both at the society level, and in the Student Council, we are dispelling the myth that Unionists cannot speak out in Queen’s university.

Conference, I can give a clear answer when I am asked why the Young Unionists at Queen’s are so successful. The Queen’s Young Unionists encompasses all Unionism. I am unashamed of my British identity. I am member of the Orange order, a Christian, and there is no doubt that I am a Unionist due to far more than just the economic benefits of the Union - as valid a reason as that may be. I would certainly be, in my outlook, what some would define as traditional. However, I realise that I cannot, nor should I want, to force every Unionist to share every opinion that I hold. The Queen’s Young Unionists is representative of the wide range of views that exists in Unionism. Members’ views may differ on certain issues, but therein lies the strength. What unites the Queen’s Young Unionists is that every one of us is thoroughly and unwaveringly committed to the Union.

Fellow Unionists. In finishing I would just like to say that this is why I am, not only a member of the Young Unionists, but a member of this party. This party has the history of Unionism. This party has had figures like Edward Carson and James Craig. It led Unionism through the turbulent times in Northern Ireland’s past; providing the Unionist community with strong, assured, pragmatic leadership, defending it from very real threat. This party helped bring us much needed peace, and has paid the price for it. This party has the history, and it is through the Young Unionists that it can ensure that it has the future.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much.