Unionists in Northern Ireland have expressed their dismay at the proposal to remove ‘London’ from the Derry name.
Certain unionists have branded the move by Derry City and Strabane District Council to change the official name from Londonderry to just Derry as both ‘sectarian’ and ‘disgusting.’
A vote was taken on the name change at the Guildhall on Thursday night, with the full support of Sinn Féin, the SDLP and independent councillors.
The minority unionist representation were against the motion.
The council now plans to write to the Environment Minister Mark H Durkan of the SDLP on how to go about changing the county’s name.
https://twitter.com/JamesMcC14/status/624551199698743297
DUP councillor David Ramsey said: “There’s just no end to it. It’s disgusting to say the least.” Ramsey insisted that “London stone masons built the city,” and that the issue should not be sectarianised.
Sinn Féin counciller Eric McGinley countered that the motion – backed up by an online petition signed by 2,000 people – does not seek to airbrush London out of the city’s history.
“We have a clear view that the city needs a clear brand, one single name, one single identity would help promote the city around the world,” he said.
Main image via alysandalex.com
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