Occasionally political decisions give observers a glimpse into the heart of a political party…

George Osborne’s decision to cut the higher rate of tax while cutting welfare benefits in a time of austerity betrayed a heartlessness that the Tory party has struggled to disown.

Sinn Fein’s decision to turn Bobby Storey’s funeral into a mass celebration of Republicanism in a time of global pandemic lockdown was very revealing. The party which lead the way in calling for lockdown and was most opposed to relaxing restrictions; the party which opposed the opening of cemeteries to allow families to visit graves became the party which en masse threw social distancing to the wind and orchestrated a paramilitary celebration for one of its sons in Milltown cemetery. In so doing it disregarded the guidelines and protocol which it had both created and, with almost daily frequency, championed.

We had been warned by Sinn Fein’s spokespersons that lives are more important than profits and the capitalist push to open up the economy prematurely risked lives, something they would not tolerate.

But it seems there is something more important than the economy or people’s lives. The events in West Belfast demonstrated that in terms of the party’s values, culture, priorities and practice loyalty to the Republican cause comes before anything else. That includes the law of the land and therein lies the problem. Can a political party choose to break the law of the country which it governs with impunity?

Sinn Fein, peerless in virtue signalling, almost permanent dwellers on the moral high ground, demonstrated clearly that the common good, the health of the elderly and vulnerable and the integrity of the political institutions come behind fealty to the Republican Movement.

We rightly oppose membership of secret organisations because of their potential to corrupt the normal processes of government and the judicial system. In Sinn Fein we have a political party in whose inner sanctums decisions are made which appear to require compliance by politicians whether or not they are compliant with the law. This is a serious problem for a political party responsible for good governance and social order, and a problem for every other political party and the electorate.

The Nolan Principles of Public Life are accepted as the standards by which all public servants should conduct themselves, the ethical standards they are expected to adhere to. Indeed every elected representative, including members of Sinn Fein, has signed up to them.

Let’s take principle one, selflessness; ‘Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain benefits for themselves, their family or friends.’ In other words decisions should be taken, not in the interests of the Republican movement but in the interests of the public, except it seems in the case of a Republican funeral.

Or principle two, integrity; ‘Holders of public office should not place themselves under any obligation to outside organisations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.’ Memories spring to mind of Mairtin O Muilleoir seeking permission from individuals in Sinn Fein’s headquarters at Connolly House before signing off on a business plan.

Or principle five, openness; ‘Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.’ The activities in Connolly House are a masterclass in opacity and obfuscation.

All political parties play their cards close to their chest seeking to out-manoeuvre and defeat their opponents but they do so operating within a set of principles which lay out the ground rules, in our case the Nolan Principles. If Sinn Fein are seen to be, or behave as if they are above these principles and above the law that makes democratic government difficult if not ultimately impossible.

Republicans must be represented politically but likewise Sinn Fein must play by the rules that everyone else observes otherwise they are not fit to hold elected office in either jurisdiction on this island. They can choose whether they are a party committed to democratic principles or run by a small clique of ‘shadowy unelected back-room figures’. The future wellbeing of the island, north and south, depends on robust and healthy political institutions. If Sinn Fein are to contribute constructively they will have to reform. They will need to demonstrate that they operate democratically; a Party committed to openness, where healthy debate is normal, dissent can be expressed, and disagreement tolerated without bullying. As regards the past, they alone, of all the participants, have shown not a scintilla of contrition and continue to defend the indefensible. Their refusal to accept any responsibility for atrocities of the past is a major impediment to progress. They will need to publically and unambiguously commit to upholding the Nolan Principles in word and deed.

The credibility and legitimacy of our political institutions is at stake but more importantly the future peace and prosperity of the country depends on these institutions. If Sinn Fein is to be a credible participant they will need to change.

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