Standing Against Sinn Fein
Paul McGlinchey, who will be standing against Martin McGuinness in Mid-Ulster, has given an interview to the Ulster Herald. His nephew, Dominic Og McGlinchey, has not ruled out standing as a candidate in West Tyrone. Gerry McGeough is standing against Sinn Fein in Fermanagh/South Tyrone. And the IRSP is set to endorse a candidate from Strabane at their Ard Comhairle this weekend. Willie Gallagher spoke to the Strabane Chronicle about the upcoming election and Concerned Republicans. Both interviews follow the jump.
Ex-members set to challenge Sinn Féin
BY RONAN McSHERRYTENSIONS within Sinn Féin over the policing issue are threatening to bring major electoral challenges across Tyrone constituencies. Members of the staunchly Republican family, the McGlincheys of South Derry, are set to challenge their previous comrades in West Tyrone and Mid-Ulster. Gerry McGeogh, a former IRA activist from Killeeshil, is also set to stand against Sinn Féin for Fermanagh-South Tyrone inthe Assembly election on March 7.
Speaking to the Ulsterherald, life-long republican activist Paul McGlinchey confirmed he will stand as an Independent candidate in Mid- Ulster if Sinn Féin endorse policing and take their seats on the policing board. McGlinchey is a former blanket man and brother of the murdered INLA leader Dominic McGlinchey. His entry into the election race would put him in direct opposition to Sinn Féin’s chief negotiator Martin McGuinness.
McGlinchey said, “I will be running in Mid-Ulster providing the assembly elections go ahead. I was a member of Sinn Féin until last month and resigned because of their current policing strategy. Once SF endorses policing and the judiciary, whatever way they package it and sell it, they are copper-fastening the six county state within the United Kingdom. I am not anti-policing per se, and we need law and order, but I would want an all-Ireland police force.”
The decision to put up candidates was taken at a meeting of “Concerned Republicans” held in Toomebridge at the weekend.
“I have yet to speak to any Republican, including ex-prisoners, that is endorsing this pro-PSNI agenda,” said Mr McGlinchey. “None of them are for it. I also know a lot of people in the party who are hanging on to see what happens at the Ard Fhéis and that will probably tell a tale.”
Mr McGlinchey served 15 years in prison for paramilitary activity.
“I personally have invested too much of my life in all of this just to turn my back on it and stay at home,” said Mr McGlinchey. “I kept putting my argument within the party but was getting nowhere with them. I realised the direction they were going and could not be a part of it. It runs against every vein in my body.”
Paul’s nephew, Dominic Óg McGlinchey has not ruled out the rumour that he is considering going forward on an anti-policing ticket in West Tyrone. Also speaking to the Ulsterherald, he said, “Numerous people have approached me to run. I am totally against the Sinn Féin stance on policing.
“Some people talk of being ‘sold out’ but I see it as being ‘sold short.’ There is a big difference between the two.”
The son of the former INLA chief-of -staff, Dominic McGlinchey emphasised that if he were to throw his cap in the ring come election time, “it would not be just to stop Sinn Féin getting a seat.”
He added, “I have left-wing values and would bring those with me too. I left Sinn Féin a number of years ago because of the direction they have taken and their acceptance of Stormont rule and the British iron hand still in force.”
Gerry McGeogh who previously served jail sentences in Germany and the US for IRA activity has also voiced his intention of standing in Fermanagh-South Tyrone. A former Sinn Féin ard comhairle member, he accused the party leadership of “having shown no backbone”.
“Sinn Féin are making embarrassing fools of themselves. This grovelling nonsense must stop.”
Strabane man to stand on anti-policing ticket
BY MICHELE CANNING SMITHWITH West Tyrone already a hotbed of controversy on the ‘will they, won’t they’ March Assembly elections, it has emerged that an independent Republican candidate may well throw his hat into the lion’s den in this constituency. That’s the word on the ground from the Irish Republican Socialist Party, who revealed to the Strabane Chronicle yesterday that a Strabane man has put his name forward for contention.
Endorsement for the Independent Republican candidacy will go to an IRSP Ard Comhairle meeting at the weekend.
Moves have been afoot by the Concerned Republican group – a coalition of what many regard as disaffected Republicans – to infiltrate Nationalist strongholds in a bid to challenge Sinn Féin on its policing agenda.
Already, members of the staunchly Republican McGlincheys of South Derry, are set to challenge former comrades in Tyrone and Mid-Ulster. Paul McGlinchey, a member of SF until last month, says he will enter into the election race in direct opposition to party chief, Martin McGuinness.
Gerry McGeogh, a former IRA man from Kileshil, is also set to stand against Sinn Féin in Fermanagh/South Tyrone.
The Chronicle this week spoke with Willie Gallagher, a leading member of the IRSP, on his party’s position, and how a series of meetings has led to a political attack on mainstream republicanism. Those meetings, which began in August last year, came as result of a call by a local man, Eddie McGarrigle, at a commemoration in Derry calling for a healing process within the diversity of Republicans.
That initial call has culminated in a decision by a group of Republicans to stand for election. They include disaffected Sinn Féin members, the IRSP, the 32 County Sovereignty Committee and independent republicans, all opposing the Good Friday Agreement.
During a series of meetings, the hugely contentious issue of policing was the ‘political thing in town’ and proved to be a gathering force for the group.
“There was unanimous support within the grouping that there should be public opposition to any endorsement of the policing and judicial system.
“The policing issue really was when Republicans had to wake up and smell the coffee.
“Republicans that I have spoken with, who once supported the Good Friday Agreement, now reject it. One said he deeply regrets endorsing it.
“As far as we are concerned, the Good Friday Agreement is a pacification process to give up Republicanism.
“The IRSP has always believed that the Agreement was a copper fastening of partition.
“But once the Agreement was signed, we believed Republicans were trying the political road and giving up the use of an armed strategy.
“The INLA was convinced to go on the same road.
“The IRSP focused on building up the party rather than overturning the agreement.
“Now Republicans are being asked to endorse the police and judicial system.
“As this debate has gained momentum, members of the Concerned Republican group decided to stand as independents.
“There will be a IRSP Ard Comhairle to see if our party will endorse support for these candidates.
“The feedback is that there is a strong possibility that most constituencies will put someone forward.”
Mr Gallagher confirmed that there is a local man who has expressed a wish and that will be considered at this weekend’s Ard Comhairle.
“As Independent Republicans, they oppose any endorsement of the PSNI. The policing issue has forced the hand of Republicans.
“Some of these people until a month ago were members of Sinn Féin.”
OPPOSITION
Mr Gallagher said he believes there is a very strong feeling of opposition gathering across the board to any endorsement of the police or judiciary.
“Sinn Féin would say this is a stepping stone to a United Ireland.
“But it’s a reformist strategy and it is impossible to negotiate away political policing under the framework of the GFA/St Andrew’s Agreement.
“It is a simple exchange of principles to go into power with the DUP, nothing more, nothing less.
He said he believed the SF leadership has misread the depth of feeling among republicans on the issue of policing.
“Overall, I feel it is possible that Sinn Féin could become the third largest party because of protest votes going to independent Republicans.
“This has taken on a momentum of its own and has acted as driving force on the policing debate.
“We are viewing this in the long term. Republicans, from a fair region of diversity are getting together to debate and discuss tactics, strategies and alternatives to the Good Friday Agreement, which has failed Republican objectives.
STRATEGY
“It is very clear within the group that it is an unarmed strategy.
“I did say at the first meeting that was called that I believe that even with an amalgamation of groups such as the INLA, Real IRA and the Continuity, that an effective military campaign against the British could not be achieved at this juncture.
“No-one in the room spoke out against that.”
Asked whether he believed that voters would opt for what many see as a group on the very sidelines of mainstream political parties, he said, “Can someone tell me the difference in voting for Sinn Fein and voting for the SDLP.
“I can see a situation where people will be comfortable in supporting these Independent candidates.
“They are traditional republicans.
He adds, “It would be wrong to sit back and do nothing about the endorsement of policing and the criminalisation of the Republican project.”
He concludes his interview by setting the scenario: “If Gerry Kelly takes up the Minister of Justice portfolio, will he sign the arrest forms on behalf of the Historical Inquiry Team?”
Mark, your politics are the topic – and if your politics are Stickish, then … you know what they say about the cap fitting and all that. And you are not beyond playing the man – so give over and stop the cry ba nonsense.
they are looking the site Gestapo in now to check the IP addresses – whatever next? MI5 to the rescue perhaps.
well McGregor you have bitched about these true republicans as opposed to your plastic sound bites and you have mocked them for being abstensionist
**** so who did you vote for when s/f were abstensionist ****
answer or be damned
Joe
Maybe they should call in a SF Punishment squad to administer justice in their new vision of Community policing?
Joe,
In the hope you’ll shut up with your nonsense: SF had dropped abstentionism before I was old enough to vote and I have never been a member of any other party than SF.
Now try and address the issue: the candidates declaring themselves as wanting to be elected to the Assembly.
Or is that discussion boring you?
Rory,
Whilst no-ne has all the answers yet Sinn Fein does have a strategy to get us there. The remarks about some individual being caught fuel smuggling does not mean everyone in PSF is involved as you try to suggest, far from that.
You say “Now given that this is the case now can I or others with decency stand by and let fireside generals dictate to me on who should police the peace.” Well how can you give support to dissidents who have been going around whipping up support for the bad old days such as Francy Mackie – or was bombing Omagh what you would see as a decent act of patroitism?
You asked the question “what do you proposed to do with at least 600,000 Prods?” as if they were sheep or cattle and now you want to embrace them – at least you are now moving in the right direction.
You keep stating “Lets have the debate” well the debate has taken place and the people agreed to the outcome in the GFA – 71%. Therefore we have all chosen to accept the democratic outcome and move forward from here, it simply means we wait 10 – 15 years and then we will have a united Ireland due to strength of numbers with others including the British respecting the democratic wishes of the people.
Peace is worthy of the effort, and so is the lives of ALL our children Catholic, Protestant and Dissenter!
You still have not put forward a viable strategy that the Unionist (mainly Protestant) people will accept, to bring about the unification of the Island.
And I cast an abstentionist vote at every westminster election.
I’m asking for clarification on the policies of those intending to run.
Asking for their political position, is that too much?
Mark, seems the topic is boring you or you are flailing under the assault – you don’t even know what poster has said what to you. I am not interested in whether you abstained or not – couldn’t give a hoot. Raise it with whoever put the question to you. But being called a Stick should not annoy you too much – what is the difference between Sinn Fein and the Sticks pray tell Mark McGiolla?
oh dear, stop feeding the trolls, Mark-you’re only keeping them amused until CBeebies comes back on in the morning.
On that note……….
Joe,
The topic is the candidates presenting themselves for election.
You clearly think them unworthy of comment. Thanks for your pointless interventions.
Maybe others will discuss the candidates and their platforms as it’s way beyond your ability.
Now you’ll have to forgive me as I intend to ignore your juvenille attacks and discuss the issue. Get back to me when you can handle talking about the issue. (when you turn 15?)
Best,
Mark.
Nationalist
See I think now that even Francie Mackie now believes that debate within peacetime is the only way forward.
The GFA which I have read in detail in the past only brushes over the all Ireland solution and 9 years later is still full of holes.
The Debate on Unification of Ireland must sooner or later be on the table with propositions of how it can work with the Unionist population.
Lets not get caught up in this election only – sometime soon the national question must be on the horizon or do we need to keep breeding like rabbits to fulfill the GFA.
Now getting onto the wee man (Mr Mulholland) in Maghera who got his deisel from Keady, Jonesborough, Crossmaglen, Donegal and many other republican quarters are you honestly telling someone close to the situation that the PSF Leadership didn’t know or profit from the Millions he earned – And he was a GFA backer and enforcer!
Rory,
That is interesting. Cheers for your contributions. Do you have a link to something that confirms Francie thinks there is no longer a place for armed struggle? Is it 32CSM policy? Would the armed group they are close to the thinking of agree? I haven’t read this before and would like to hear more.
Does this mean the 32CSM are part of this grouping of ‘alternative’ Republican candidates? Can clarify on their behalf?
Interesting stuff, nice to hear details.
GRMA
Mark
Mark
The views on Francie Mackie are my personal take on where I think he is now! Finally
It is not the 32CSM policy
The RIRA is a now the dreags of republicanism if they truely exist in any quantity at all!
Rory,
I was enjoying your content so much I didn’t notice your felon setting.
I’m unsure of the truth of your claims but your willingness to ensure the PSNI are aware of the allegation shows you are way ahead of Sinn Fein on engaging with the PSNI.
Mark
I just hate the PSF hypocracy:-
(1). Back the Police
(2). Break the law
They can not have it both ways! Do you not agree?
Rory,
The need to bred like rabbits as you put it has passed. Catholics have generally provided more than 50% of the birth rate in the 6 counties, which is over and above their population of 43.8% as at 2004.
As I stated previously the Unionist majority is in the over 55years age group and that majority is less and less as each year passes. At the same time the Nationalist (Catholic) population increases, and so the 43.8% will in 10 – 15 years be a majority and the current 53.1% Unionists will dwindle and they will become the minority population.
You can’t make the Unionist people face up to that you can only try telling them and show them the figures, if they can’t see the wood for the trees?
You can’t force them to face their devils and talk about them unless they chose to do so. So as everyone doesn’t want a war to sort it out and the Unionists won’t talk until they are the Minority then we need a strategy to take us forward and that has been offered by Sinn Fein.
The idea of not having any police for 10-15years is just ludicrus. You need to face up the fact that they won’t talk until then or they feel safe and your ideas are not going to get a response. If you don’t get a response then what is it you are going to do for the next 10-15years?
Rory,
I certainly agree. When you support the ‘law’ you can’t support it being broken.
I don’t support the ‘law’. SF won’t until it is under local conntrol. You support them by providing information to them in public. You support the PSNI. That’s your choice.
I can’t believe you are a Republican. Are you another of these SDLP bluffers?
I’m delighted they are running. It makes the election a good test of opinion on the agreement, on policing and on the Sinn Fein leadership. Expect a humiliating defeat for the dissidents and a massive endorsement of the Sinn Fein position.
Nationalist
looks like we are the only posters sobber or awake to debate standing against the Sinners!
I take on board what you say but don’t you think that someone should tell the wee hardline unionists that sometime soon there are not going to be enough of them to in their view “Keep Ulster British”!
Should we wait 10-15 years and suddenly annouce it to them on GMTV or something?
We must start the evolution of the national unification now softly softly with a serious emphasis on togetherness!
Can you imagine paisley, Gerry and Martin in 2020-2025!
Mark
The new police service are well aware of the chuckies deisel scam and are probably filling there own cars up with the bloody stuff without even knowing it
Peace has created a vaccum for the PSF to rethink there funding
I used to know an SDLP man – geography teacher, hill climber, loner! I can’t stop laughing at the thought that i would have to assist the RUC, the PSNI arn’t they capable or is it able to do anything – pawns in the game?
SDLP – give me break Mark
when I turn 15 – so you like them young Mark. You are not alone in that predilection in your party. The topic is what we choose to say on it. Pity for you that you can’t wield the baseball bat here and tell us what the line is. Or get someone else to wield it. As your own say in Poleglass you only became a republican when it was safe. The candidates are too worthy of commenting on with yourself. I suppose most of them would be a bit old for your taste eh?
where is this well thought out strategy of sfs? their supporters tell us dissidents/disaffected have nothing to offer. Sinn Fein have what to offer? Participation in a british statelet with a dup veto over sf? so whats changed since ’69?
f**k all.
Do you know, in 58 years on this planet I have never met anyone who supports the law, or even want to support the law, acquiesce to the law yes, abide by the laws of the land and countless variations of the latter, but support the law, never.
Although some in the legal and political business often cover their own shortcomings by going on about the necessity of supporting the rule of law, but we all have to earn a living I suppose and I normally put such nonsense as being a spot of free-lance advertising on their part.
Then again I have never come across a civic police force either, although I have met plenty of police officers, all over the world, in democracies and dictatorships, who enjoy nothing better than to kick the shit out of one and fit people up. Which is why ‘supporting the law’ is not that popular I suppose, accept in shinner circles these days it seems where seems all bets are not off these days.
Where are you getting this poncey language from, please do not bother to reply as the answer is pretty obvious even to someone who has led a sheltered life in which I have never felt it necessary to prattle on about ‘supporting the law’ and have managed to get through life perfectly well with out making such a public declaration.
mark.
I have also found that political parties and independent candidates usually put there platforms before the electorate at the start of any electoral campaign, even SF do this I believe, so unless you are able to tell slugger tonight what the SF manifesto will say on policing come the election in the spring, I suggest you cease demanding of others what you and your own party refuses to do, as it is very unedifying.
By the way I think a well known country and western singer summed up most people attitude to the police, when introducing one of his more popular songs he said, “I broke the law and the law won” the b a s t a r d s.
Night all.
Henry,
I agree, great to see them stand. I assume I am part of the target audience.
I’d love to hear what they expect me to vote for or transfer to.
It’s an easy question. I’m ready to listen to an answer. I’ve only got abuse for asking so far.
Good God, Mick,
Can I ask for a hint on what they believe in? (with your permission of course) I am McGeogh’s target audience? No? I’d like to know his message. I am the sort they need to convince? No?
I’d like to know something.
Sorry for asking. When are we allowed to ask?
You tell me. I’ll sit here waiting for a policy until you say it is ok to ask. Mr the man.
And no offence Mick, I’m surprised you haven’t taken a more responsible attitude to this ‘group’ choosing McGeogh.
Any port in a storm?
They need told and they won’t listen to the likes of me.
Disgrace. Shame on anyone supporting him or those working on his campaign.
why don’t you just fuck off into the night you orange bastard, you think voting S/F and broadcasting for them will make us think your somthing special…
your a brit you were born one you’ll die one
just fuck off into the night you orange bastard
Mick Fealty
I have said it before and I will say it again, you should consider a basic IQ level of 40 before people are allowed to post.
‘Why would you vote for McGeogh? Are you supportive of his current stance on moral issues? Policing? Republicanism? His past? All these?
Genuinely interested. Out of those raised so far as potential candidates his current views are the most unappealing to me. ‘
I know Gerry well and for a long long time, and like him. That like ends though when it comes to the vote. Gerry Mc Geough is an Ultra Conservative.
my word – this fellow Mcgeough is amazing – he is speaking the absolute truth – right on the button concerning abortion, sodomy, rights of God, and the national question.
He has my support, and it will be financial too
####### Mark McGregor is multi posting #######
page 1) post24 he wrote
Gerry,
Why would you vote for McGeogh? Are you supportive of his current stance on moral issues? Policing? Republicanism? His past? All these?
###### Genuinely interested. Out of those raised so far as potential candidates his current views are the most unappealing to me.#######
Posted by Mark on Jan 12, 2007 @ 08:39 PM
##################################################
Then came this little nugget by Maura page 4) post 4
#
’Why would you vote for McGeogh? Are you supportive of his current stance on moral issues? Policing? Republicanism? His past? All these?
####Genuinely interested. Out of those raised so far as potential candidates his current views are the most unappealing to me.##### ‘
I know Gerry well and for a long long time, and like him. That like ends though when it comes to the vote. Gerry Mc Geough is an Ultra Conservative.
Posted by maura on Jan 13, 2007 @ 01:33 AM
How sad that the Sinn Fix blogging committee are forced now to multi post, must be because noboby bekieves in them enough to post for them….
*** Mark McGregor you’ve been caught ****
So Mark you know Gerry McGeogh well and for a long time……… really how so how long….
perhaps gerry McGeogh would like to tell everyone how well you know him…….
and for that long time…..
***** Please excuse The Devil I think I have just wet myself laughing at how stupid you have been, I cant wait till Gerry McGeogh reads this…. or for that matter the rest of Slugger…. yep that definitely is a wet pair of pants…. ******
Thank you and good night…… this is so good i’m not going to be able to sleep
Maura – other candidates bury women on beaches yet no crisis of conscience from the McGeough bashers
Whats the difference in supporting mc geough and supporting sinn fein? support mcgeough and you get what it says on the tin, a republican who is a catholic – yes- but whose heart is genuinely in the right place. When you vote sinn fein you get paisley in power. Much more ultra conservative than anyone else on this island, and his republican credentials are very much wanting.
I don’t understand you sinn feiners, you’d support an ultra conservative in power from a unionist/loyalist background but not a republican background!! Jesus you guys are more penetrated than was first thought.
Gerry,
Is the reason that Paisley is likely to be part of a power sharing arrangement not due to the DUP having around 30 seats and if I am correct in that assumption just how is Gerry McGeough going to replace Paisley in Government as you say?
Do you think Gerry will and his friends who do not want a police force will be in a position to abolish the PSNI?
Is the strategy being followed by Sinn Fein – one of wanting to be in power and aligning all administration aspects of Government with that of the 26 counties in order to make the final transition to unity seemless not more appealing and would also give confidence to the Unionist community in going into a united Ireland?
Gerry, you scored in one. It shows you the nature of their politics – Paisley before the republican. McGeough was a great republican not like the plastic provos we get on this site. Apart from those who were not of an age to fight the rest of them are wasters. Nevertheless, voting McGeough would be a difficult challenge. His politics are as close to fascist and racist as we are likely to find. But they are nothing new – he had them when he was on the SF politbureau and no one objected.
Nationalist, Paisley will be part of a power sharing deal when he has a partner to share power with, as well as having 30 seas as you say. Without a partner Paisley will not be in power. Therefore logically a vote for sf is a vote to put into power a man who is ultra conservative, against abortion, against all gays, infact was outside westminister only last week demonstrating against gay rights. Now mark has come along and said, that gerry mcgeoughs politics are not appealing to him, because mark says, he is ultra conservative AND a republican???? Well yes my views are as gerry mcgeoughs are, and i gave him a straight answer, he was wrong in saying he had got nothing but abuse, that was untrue. The fact is in this next election republicans who feel enough is enough are going to have to involve themselves in tatical voting-against Sinn Fein. Some may want to register a protest vote, some may want to change their allegance because they feel SF as a political entity is run by the british establishment, or some may vote against sinn fein because they feel as a party they have nothing to offer on social issues and their only claim to fame is the constitutional question. Arguably when SF were in power they were a safe pair of hands for the british exchequer, and some may genuinely feel a vote for sinn fein would be a vote for the ruc and their experiences of that force have left memories too damaging to be able to give a vote on that regard. What ever their reason, it could be they just fancy a little choice at the polling booth, BUT change is coming, and it may be coming in the form of dissaffected or dissenting voices to sinn fein, whom I must add are not dissenting, since in my opinion sinn fein have given up their republican credentials when they went for constitutional nationalism in 1986.
Regarding SF in power in the south. I don’t believe that will ever happen, if they decline in the north, they have no sway. They are much too small and even ahearn has said, well maybe they’d share power but not this time round josephine. The south has always been a two party state with a smaller partner holding sway. Usually the PD;s, i can’t see sinn fein usurping them in the near future. that is my opinion re the southern electorate, but for thirty odd years the republican movement struggled in this part of the country and cannot even hold and AF north of the border even tho it affects people here so much. in my opinion they are trying to hard in the south and not enough in the north, and are fighting on too many fronts. if they’d built themselves up in the north and brought people with them, instead of rising electorally due to deceit and manipulation things may have been different today. they are nothing short of quislings, stormont troopers, and now ian paisley holds them by the balls. he broke the uup that way heres hoping he breaks them too. Ireland would be well rid of them.
McGeough could have taken the waster’s option during the war. He could have chosen to become an insurance clerk rather than a volunteer; he could have taken a paid post in Brussels and fiddled the funds. But he did none of it. A solid hands on volunteer for whom republicanism was a vocation not a salary. When McGeough went to Europe it was to fight not build a career. He didn’t serve his time in some Brussels office. If somebody runs over here against Kelly or Ni Chuilin I would vote them. At the same time, both these people are closer to McGeough in their willingness to do time and plant bombs. For them BB meant Belfast Brigade, not Brussels Bureaucrat.
Gerry,
If we all follow your logic and connections to voting for Sinn Fein being a vote for Paisley then it would follow that what you are telling people to do is not vote for Sinn Fein and support the continuing British Westminister Parliaments rule of the 6 Counties.
If the people look at the advantages of going into Government along with Unionists and from that position being able to align laws North and South then the final transition will not be a great upheaval for people and it is more likely that Unionist will see the advantages of having All Ireland structures and economy and accept reunificiation with open arms.
HAving a strong SInn Fein position in the North will benefit that strategy whilst voting for right wing fascists like McGeough will not. Similarly there will come a time when the Protestant working class will turn their votes to the likes of the PUP instead of their right wing Fascists in the DUP.
Nationalist. A vote for Sf is a vote to put Ian Paisley into power You have not disagreed with that. A vote against SF or an abstention is not a vote to have rule by westminister, we are ruled by westminster whether there is an assembly or not. Devoloution has been given by central government and what can be given by central government can be taken away by central government. In the next british election, if westminister deems devoloution too costly then can pull it whether that is in wales scotland or n ireland. Secondly, a vote against sf or an abstention is not in favor of westminister, it is a vote to say enough is enough, this trampling on teh absic tenets and beliefs of republicans MUST stop. What we need now is as adams said, a new way of moving forward, one where republicans, are not held by the balls by ian paisley while being told by sf that this is a stepping stone to a united ireland. It isn’t anywhere near it.
Gerry,
A vote for Sinn Fein is not a vote for Paisley but for a well thought out startegy of how we get from where we are in 2007 to a united Ireland around 2016 – 2025 without having to fight another war.
It is no longer 1900s and times and politics have moved on from then. People today no longer accept empires nor do they accept forcing states that have existed (whether we like it or not) for the best part of a century to be subsumed into the land from whence they came, i.e. Kuwait.
We all have to accept that the majority of people now accept that the democratic way forward is the norm and not that of the gun. The majority of people in the 26 counties will not accept unification unless it is done by majority vote here and there.
We therefore need to map out how we can get to that majority quickest, and that entails showing the Protestant Unionist people that they will have a future in an all Ireland, or federal Ireland.
Simply sitting back and shouting “NO” gets nowhere as Paisley has seen from the last 50 years of saying NO.
The realities are those that are here today on the ground and you have to face up to the fact that without the Democratic vote the situation on unification wouldn’t change, therefore the only way to prepare for that day is to make what changes are possible from within a 6 county Government.
gerry
A vote for Sf is a vote to put Ian Paisley into power
Are you against power-sharing? If not then you have to let the unionists choose their own leaders. But as a matter of interest, who would you like?
Nationalist who is sitting back and shouting no? Can you tell me what changes are possible from within a six county government on this island? Look into your chrystal ball and tell me what changes toward a united ireland sf can bring about in stormont? a devolved power within the uk.
There are republicans out there, not only constitutional nationalists like sf who are genuinely looking for a way forward. Politics have moved on, armed struggle for most republicans is not an option that is why we have people,- concerned republicans – who are genuinely looking for a way forward. They are about to present themselves to the electorate. the electorate will choose. That is there democratic choice. Democracy is about choice. Not voting for the same party blindly while it takes us god knows where. a party held by the goolies by ian paisley.
Henry, NO I am not against power sharing par se, my point in relation to voting sf is a vote for paisley was in the context of the mcgeough argument, that gerrys politics are unappealing to mark. if power sharing takes place it would be with whom ever the unionist people vote into office, not my choice. that said i am not against power sharing as a principle, but i do not believe the current set up takes us to where we want to be. it will not bring us to a united ireland, neither will sf be able to change it much from within. tolerated nationalists in a stormont assembly is hardly a great leap forward towards a united ireland after a life time of struggle now is it?
‘Maura – other candidates bury women on beaches yet no crisis of conscience from the McGeough bashers’
My objection to Gerry is to his conservative politics. As Joe said here, Gerry is and was a true blue, I would never take that away from him, and he knows it. Gerry is a well liked and respected person for the very reasons Joe laid out here, but politically his ideas would never be acceptable- they never were.
I said I have known Gerry a long time and know him well- I objected to his politics then, and I object to his politics now.
It is nothing to do with his opposition to Sinn Fein, I share some of his concerns. However, Gerry wants and always has wanted an Irish Catholic Republic- I have heard him say it on numerous occassions to different audiences.
I am not going to bad mouth a friend, nor someone who has sacrificed as much in his life as Gerry has, but his politics are bad for any country.
so maura/mark who’d you choose. a republican with bad politics or a unionist with bad politics. hobsons choice, paisley or mcgeough? i take it you live in the same constituency as gerry? then who will get your vote?
‘perhaps gerry McGeogh would like to tell everyone how well you know him…….’
It as ME who said I know Gerry well and for a long time. If Gerry is reading he can email me any time he wants to verify that. I would be very glad to hear from him.
so maura/mark who’d you choose.
I am not Mark, nor is Mark me. I would vote for neither, because I have made a concerted effort to move beyond sectarian politics and voting. I thought thought that is what our political maturation demanded of us?
And no, I don’t live in FST. I vote in West Tyrone.
So are you abstaining on principle or abdicating your responsibilities?
*** Mark McGregor you’ve been caught ****
Mark Mc Gregor has been caught at nothing. On the other hand the author of the above has. ‘The Devil’ you made a complete and utter bollix of yourself, and unless you wish to continue to be viewed as such, you will withdraw your false accusations of above.
As I said earlier, Gerry Mc Geogh can email me any time he wants to verify my identity and my long-time friendship with him. Gerry has my utmost respect for what he is and the sacrifices he has made, and they have been many. But Gerry lost me politically a long long time ago. And that is nothing to do with policing! Gerry’s politics are rather contradictory- economically he is as socialist as they come, on social issues- Gerry is ULTRA conservative. Despite my deep admiration for Gerry, I for one have never wanted to live in a racially pure Irish speaking Catholic Republic.
‘So are you abstaining on principle or abdicating your responsibilities? ‘
I suppose it is the former, I just would not vote for a ( in your words) ‘a republican with bad politics or a unionist with bad politics. ‘
I would vote for neither.
I would vote for a Unionist or a Republican with ‘good politics’ however. Isn’t that the type of society we are supposed to be aiming for?