In the latest of our Northern Roots series, where we speak to people originally from Northern Ireland but currently living elsewhere – or vice versa – our interviewee is Philip Ingram in the West Midlands.

 

1. Tell us about yourself. When did you leave Northern Ireland, and where did you go? What do you do now?

I left Norn Iron in 1984 having taken the same approach to my A Levels that I did to my O Levels and not quite got the grades I needed. I wanted to go and study Biotechnology at the University of Kent but decided to take a very different path and join the Army.

I had been in the Army Cadets through school, the 1st (Cadet) Battalion Royal Irish Rangers and loved the outdoors and adventurous way of life. I had a choice to repeat my A levels or to start at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst as I had already passed the 3-day selection course.

It was a ‘no brainer’ as I had had enough of school and the province felt very claustrophobic at the time; having grown up through the Troubles, I had had enough of them.

Commissioned in 1984 into the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME), I joined the Army to see the world… My first posting was back home! I commanded a unit based in Holywood and we provided the military equivalent of the AA or RAC (other breakdown organisations are available). So, if it broke down, got stuck or damaged anywhere across NI we recovered it and fixed it.

My career went on for just over 26 years and I moved from the REME to be a planner and then intelligence and security professional based in Germany, GB and through many war zones. I have lived in the Balkans for over 2 years in total, had time in Cyprus and the misfortune to be deployed to Iraq. During that time, I got my first degree, a Master’s degree and was awarded an MBE for my part in the Bosnia campaign.

To put my security and counter intelligence responsibilities into context when in Germany alone they equated to looking after 42 major organisations in over 20 locations employing approximately 57,000 personnel generating €1.3 billion annually to the German economy. I also provided security and much more in conflict zones such as Iraq.

After suffering the consequences of too many operational tours, seeing too many things that no one should see, taking the death or injury of too many colleagues and friends personally, it had a significant impact on my health. Time to move on and the NHS did an amazing job in fixing me. One message I would put out to anyone who thinks they could be suffering from PTSD: it can be treated successfully, so talk to someone!

I am now, a journalist, commentator and conference host specialising in Geopolitics (I have planned and executed taking over countries), intelligence (I did it globally for 14 years and chair a company that tracks online extremism and more) and Security. I have been writing and commenting on these areas for 5 years now.

 

2. What do you think when you see the Northern Ireland of today, in the news and on social media?

I see the news in Northern Ireland being on a sine wave path (excuse me, my degree is in Applied Sciences). It peaked just after we saw the Chuckle Brothers, something I never thought I would ever see in my lifetime and it gave me real hope. That hope was reflected in the feeling in the air in NI anytime I returned.

Unfortunately, now I think we are on the downward path of that sine wave. I see hope being replaced with petulism, polarisation and anger. I see a political leadership, if it can be called that, so out of touch with what the general public of NI want, it is a sad reflection of their approach to their profession. I have a real concern that there doesn’t seem to be any leadership coming to the fore that gives political hope.

However, one thing is clear when you walk around Belfast or Enniskillen, visit Derry or Armagh, there is a real spirit in the country. There is a real feeling of hope and excitement. This is why I say the politicians are out of touch and do not represent the people.

 

3. Are you hopeful for Northern Ireland’s future? Will Brexit make a difference?

I will start by saying that I am not a Brexit supporter. However, I think Brexit could be fantastic for Northern Ireland, but it all depends on the trade deals that are done. We already have some different rules regarding the movement of food stuffs, animals and the like to the rest of the UK. We should want to exploit the differences we have, and similarities with the Republic, to become the entry and exit points for trade into the EU from the rest of the world and out of the EU through Ireland to the rest of the world. It could be massive for the island of Ireland as a whole. I fear however, that the EU will see this as unfair on other members and advantageous to the UK so will try everything to stop it.

 

4. Do you think you will return to Northern Ireland? What could convince you to come back?

I would love to return to Northern Ireland, the moment I step off the plane or ferry I feel as if I have come home. However, without a forward thinking political leadership, the local health services, social services and education services are suffering and the potential for terror related problems continue. 2016/17 saw 8 murders, 55 bombs, 113 shootings, 80 guns recovered, 116 lb for explosives recovered and 244 terror related arrests. I am tired of conflict.

 

5. What can Northern Ireland learn from the place you live now?

I am in the West Midlands, and Northern Ireland has much more to offer the West Midlands, however, the one thing it could learn is tolerance. There are so many people from different backgrounds, religions, colours, sexual orientations and more, and they all on the whole just get one with life living side by side. This is what Northern Ireland needs to learn.

 

6. If Northern Ireland had a president with sweeping powers, and it was you, what would you do?

The first thing I would do is ban sectarianism from politics – I would be tempted to dissolve all current political parties and insist new ones were only allowed to be structured on policy rather than sectarian grounds. I would be tempted to say that no one over the age of 30 could hold a political post, to force out the generation blighted by memories of the troubles.

Northern Irish society needs to be given a helping hand to move forward and to do this I would insist that all schools become integrated. The same with bringing some of the minority held views on same-sex marriage and the like into the 21st century to reflect the world we live in today.

Finally, I would take an active part in the Brexit negotiations, turning Northern Ireland into the gateway to Europe for goods and for financial institutions looking for a European home as they move out of London. I don’t see there being a problem having different rules for NI and the rest of the UK; there are different rules in place today.

 

7. What would you like to see more of on Northern Slant?

I would like to see two things. First, a focus on Northern Irish influencers across the globe. There are lots of people in strong commercial, political and NGO leadership positions, let’s capture their ideas. The second thing is more on the beauty of Northern Ireland, the hidden areas that the NI Tourist board should really be promoting.

 

8. If you could ask three Northern Ireland politicians (past or present) to dinner, who would they be? And why?

Not fair only allowing three – the first two are easy: Martin McGuinness and Ian Paisley, as I would love to discuss first hand a coming together I never thought I would see in my lifetime. I would also like to talk about the real detail of what went on during the dark days of the Troubles and how we can take what they achieved and turn the current stalemate around for the good.

I think to balance the discussions and bring in another deep thinker who caused controversy, it would have to be Enoch Powell. Never afraid to speak his mind and with clear strategic thinking – his advice in the run up to Brexit would be invaluable. With all three of them I would challenge them to redesign Northern Irish politics for the 21st century and beyond. I think dinner would need a lot of Bushmills assistance…

 

9. Do you have a favourite quote, or mantra?

If you never change your mind, why have one?

 

10. What’s your message for people back home?

Being from Northern Ireland is a badge of honour. It has opened so many doors for me across the globe, it gets me into places and discussions that those from elsewhere have difficulty doing. Be proud of where you are from but refuse to accept bigotry, hate, sectarianism and the like at home.

Also published on Medium.