Assembly Elections death knell for dissidents and socialists?

national | politics / elections | news report Friday March 16, 2007 13:48 by Homo erectus

After their appalling showing in the assembly elections is the game up for dissidents? What about the left have they any purpose?

Firts the results.

Republican Sinn Fein
West Belfast: Geraldine Taylor, 427 votes (1.3%)
Mid Ulster: Brendan McLaughlin, 437 votes (1.0%)
Upper Bann: Barry Toman: 386 votes (0.9%)
East Londonderry: Michael McGonigle, 393 votes (1.2%)
Fermanagh South Tyrone: Michael McManus, 431 votes (0.9%)
West Tyrone, Joe O Neill, 448 votes (1.1%)

Independent republican candidates

North Antrim: Paul McGlinchey, 383 votes (0.9%)
Newry and Armagh: Davy Highland, 2188 votes (4.4%)
Fermanagh South Tyrone: Gerry McGeough, 814 votes (1.8%)
South Down: Martin Cunningham, 434 votes (0.9%)
Foyle: Peggy O Hara, 1789 votes (4.4%)

Workers Party

West Belfast John Lowry (Workers Party) 434 Votes (1.26%)
East Belfast- Joe Bell (Workers Party) 107 votes (0.35%)
South Belfast Paddy Lynn (Workers Party) 123 Votes (0.40)
North Belfast John Lavery (Workers Party) 139 (0.46%)
Lagan Valley John Magee (Workers Party) 83 Votes (0.19%)
South Antrim Marcella Delaney (Workers Party) 89Votes(0.23%)

Socialist Party

South Belfast Jim Barbour (Socialist Party) 248 Votes (0.81%)
East Belfast Thomas Black (Socialist Party) 225 Votes (0.75 %)

Labour

South Down Malachi Curran (Labour) 123 Votes (0.26%)

Socialist Environmental Alliance

Foyle Eamon McCann (Socialist Environmental Alliance) 2045 Votes (4.5%)

People before Profit

West Belfast Sean Mitchell (People before Profit 744 Votes (2.17%)

Republican Sinn Fein have no real mandate of any significance. A Clear statement from them calling on the Continuity IRA and any others to call a ceasefire would be the best they could do. A long period of reflection should follow. As they have no real presence or involvement in any significant social or economic struggles they perhaps should consider disbandment, unless they can reach a consensus on re-inventing themselves with a useful purpose.

Independent republican candidates like Davy Hyland are just reformist half provos and can do what they like , they're irrelevant. Gerry McGeough has got his answer from the voters and could look at joining the priesthood or forming his own church now.

Peggy O'Hara's vote is a bit more interesting , but watching the transfer patterns appears to be a little bit shallow in politics. perhaps her showing will give the political elements in the IRSM the confidence boost they need to begin building an alternative republican socialist strategy to attract those disillusioned with SF. The INLA are already on ceasefire and seem to be reasonably stable. It would be interesting to hear their reaction.

The Worker's Party is over. The party has been in serious decline for years and the token electoral effort is embarrassing. Anyone left in it who is serious about social change should be looking for an alternative vehicle. Remaning tied to that party simply wastes valuable time and energy.

Ditto for the socialist party. The electoral history in the north shows and embarrassing disconnection from reality. Time to re-evaluate and move on.

The labour issue is just not worth talking about.

The SWP use two different fronts and done respectably, but again where's the beef. McCann hasn't advanced and is unlikely too. And being afarid to face the electorate as who you really are is desperation electoral politics which can only lead a reformist road.

The 32 County Sov. Movement backed McGeough etc. They should consequently accept the result and call for the RIRA to ceasefire and then engage in a serious what are we really for exercise, I think disbandment is their logical option.

Perhaps from the IRSM and Eirigi we will see the birth of a new revolutionary republican socialist alternative, perhaps not, but for now as Paul McGlinchey said to the Tribune after the election "Republicanism died in this election."