o ca litic n a s, ctio n
N o ep R for
Where now for Sinn Féin?
w p n u b is t h a bli c i e l lic an tim e for Repub Repu solu tions and for
BY MARY LOU McDONALD After a decade of election growth, the Local and European results in the south were disappointing. I want to pay tribute to all the candidates and activists who put in the long hours and the hard yards. Due to your work Sinn Féin is the third largest party in the 26 Counties, the second largest party across the island and the largest party organised on an allIreland basis. This is some achievement in just a few short decades. We must learn from this election. The process of change is underway, a process of renewing and refreshing our approach and structures. We will come out of this time as stronger a party. Society is also in the process of change. The people have spoken, we all need to listen and learn. Politics is in a state of flux with the threat of Brexit, the chaos in Westminster undermining the ability to re-establish the Assembly in the north, a changing economic climate as we reach full employment in the 26 counties, and an increased concern for climate change. We need to reflect on this changed political context. At the same time the 26-County State has the highest levels of inequality and a rising cost of living. Landlords and insurance industries are gouging ordinary working people with impunity. We have a government that refuses to invest adequately in healthcare with an unacceptable level of waiting lists and trolley waits. We have a generation in low-paid work and losing all hope of owning or ever having a permanent home. There is also a growing debate and support for Irish Unity, shown most recently in the May RED C election exit
anphoblacht UIMHIR EISIÚNA 3 - 2019 - ISSUE NUMBER 3
poll where 77% of respondents said they would vote in support of Irish unity in a referendum. Sinn Féin is the only political party that will drive the Irish Unity project. Our opponents attack us for being, they say, opposed to everything and in favour of nothing. But it is clear that Fianna
“It is clear that Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens will continue with more of the same …….. The faces may change but the politics will not” Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens will continue with more of the same. We already see in councils across the state where they are striking deals and trading council positions. The faces may change but the politics will not. Now is the time for Republican politics, for Republican solutions and for Republican action. We need to articulate
3
