What were unionists opposed to?
Dropping the name Royal Ulster Constabulary was the key grievance. The RUC came into being with its current name after the completion of the partition of Ireland in 1922. For the next 50 years, the force was widely regarded by nationalists as a pro-unionist force within a “unionist state”. Although its political control changed in the 1970s, that suspicion has not only remained but has been reinforced by events, say nationalists. During 30 years of the Troubles, 302 RUC officers were killed in paramilitary attacks. Many unionists regard the name change as an insult to the memory of those whom they say held the line against terrorism. Another major issue for unionists was the flying of the Union Flag over police stations. Patten said that there should be no use of symbols attached to either the British or Irish state – including the flag. Did the government make changes to meet unionist concerns? The vast majority of the 175 recommendations made in the Patten report are supported by uni
