So, the man who could never got the chance. I never really understood why Francie didn’t get the senior position in Stormont, but it looks like he’s off to Westminster next, as he has just been chosen (the only candidate to stand, according to Fitzy). He’s running against Patsy McGlone and Ian McCrea, but since it’s Martin McGuinness, it ought to be a shoo-in for the Coalisland man…
The House of Commons is increasingly become for Sinn Fein another House of Lords, shuffling some of its more senior folk, allowing room for another junior co-option into the Assembly with at least another three years to run..
Mick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty