The Reform Group is a non-denominational, non-party body based in the Republic of Ireland, advocating the development of Ireland for a new generation. It fosters a post-nationalist, pluralist Ireland and is dedicated to defining Irish identity, and proposing necessary reforms; hence its name. Reform’s aims include:
- Rethinking Ireland’s relationship with the United Kingdom. This should reflect the deepening social, cultural, and political bond between the two nations.
- Promoting membership of international bodies such as the Commonwealth. We lobby for Ireland to go back to a radically changed Commonwealth which it left in 1949 just before India changed the Commonwealth, removing the word ‘British’ and ending the imperial tones of the then British Commonwealth. We also should remember that South Africa went back to the Commonwealth and there are 32 republics in the Commonwealth. Membership would improve our trade and give new opportunities to our athletes at the Commonwealth Games.
- Supporting initiatives like the British-Irish Council as a genuine way of healing ancient divisions.
- Review of the Constitution with particular reference to the preamble and its narrow view of Irishness. We think the 1937 constitution of de Valera needs to be changed to reflect modern Ireland.
- We question the compulsory role of Irish in our schools on the basis that it has failed to revive the language to the status of our native tongue, and we believe that Irish and English should be equal official languages to reflect reality.
Reform membership is open to anyone interested in seeing the above aims implemented. Currently, it has members from across the island of Ireland, Great Britain, Europe and North America.
Reform offers a unique context in which to debate a range of relevant issues. This includes lectures and seminars with eminent guest speakers and senior Reform members from time to time, and a website that allows members to debate issues online, and which informs members of events, publications and public appearances by Reform members, videos or transcripts of lectures delivered at Reform meetings, attendance by Reform at conferences and gatherings, and relevant material from the press.
Aims of Reform (letter by Robin Bury)