An Orange Order banner on parade last year

The BBC are reporting that the Orange Order have written to the SDLP and Alliance Party to discuss their positions on Orange parades. The SDLP have responded that they are happy to meet them, but also stating that their position on marches is clear. "We believe there needs to be face to face dialogue at a local level without preconditions. We also believe that everybody needs to work constructively with the Parades Commission."

The Orange Order have also written to Peter Hain asking for new legislation to deal with parades.

Interesting moves on the Order's part. Taken at face value they could indicate a shift in strategy towards a more consociational approach to parades. Of course they're still ruling out talks with Sinn Fein and/or the Parades Commission. Maybe it's all just a big PR stunt - let's face it they are playing catch up to "residents groups" on that front. To be fair though, they did hold discussions last year with the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, who held discussions with the Bogside residents group (dialogue by proxy?). The result was, of course, that the Order were allowed to march inside the city walls for the first time in 13 years.

Follow up:

The Orange Order did say last year that they were trying to make the day more family oriented, but like most things, it became apparent that even when you're making progress, these things take time.

I genuinely hope the order are taking steps to address valid concerns amongst the nationalist community regarding the annual parades. There will obviously be those, particularly Sinn Fein variety nationalists, who will refuse to accept the Orange Order no matter what they may do, but I feel the best way to deal with such people is to expose their nature for what it really is.

Between the chance to expose republicans who are simply hostile to their existance, and the potential for dialogue to result in positive outcomes for the Order (eg last year's march in Londonderry following the Chamber of Commerce talks there), they could be on to something. Maybe BT were right when they said "It's good to talk."