'Sinn Féin doesn’t do austerity – We do equality,' says Martin McGuinness at Ard Fheis in Derry

THE SAFEGUARDS fought for by Sinn Féin – and Sinn Féin alone – in concluding the Stormont House Agreement gave the North a protected welfare system that has eliminated the Tory cuts being imposed on the most vulnerable in Britain, deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness told the opening night of the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis in Derry on Friday evening.

Prior to the Stormont House Agreement, the Sinn Féin Chief Negotiator said, the political institutions in the North had stagnated and then came the “thuggery” of unionist mobs in the City Centre and Short Strand after the democratic decision by Belfast City council to fly the Union flag only on designated days and the refusal of unionism to accept the decision of the Parades Commission in relation to Ardoyne.

“But beyond the violence, intimidation and damage to the economy, there was deep and lasting damage to the political process as unionism retreated from the partnership approach that has delivered so much for our society up to now,” Martin McGuiness said.

“This issue and the attempt by the Tory-led government to impose their anti-poor, anti-working class policies on the Assembly and Executive brought the power-sharing institutions to the brink of collapse.

“In this context we entered a difficult negotiation with a Conservative British Government instinctively sympathetic to unionism and an Irish Government preoccupied with Sinn Féin.”

Against this turbuent backdrop, the deputy First Minister said, the Stormont House Agreement was “a lifeline for the political institutions”.

He noted that, before the negotiations, “many people predicted we would not succeed but – against all odds – we found a way forward on difficult issues, including flags, parades, the past and emblems”.

And people need to be very clear about the alternative if the institutions had collapsed, Martin McGuinness said.

“Instead of our locally-elected and accountable Assembly we would have had rule by British Tories and the imposition of Thatcherite policies that no one here voted for or wants.”

Detailing the key facts underpinning the North’s finances and the Stormont House Agreement, he pointed out:

“The categories of welfare recipients we have protected include children with disabilities, adults with severe disabilities and families who would have been affected by the benefit cap.

“In addition, the punitive Bedroom Tax has been neutralised. No one in the North of Ireland will pay a Bedroom Tax.”

“We will not be part of an agenda which pushes more children into poverty or targets the disabled as a way to save money.

“That is why we negotiated and agreed to protect those benefits under the control of the Assembly so that the categories of claimants targeted by the Tories in Britain will be protected by the unique measures we are putting in place here.”

To loud cheers and applause he gave this commitment:

“The welfare protections we agreed are an absolute red line issue for Sinn Féin.

“No matter how difficult the implementation process may get, we will not – under any circumstances – tolerate any retreat from them.”

● The crowd on the opening night of the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis at the Millennium Forum Theatre & Conference Centre in Derry

He challenged Sinn Féin’s opponents – North and South – to “reflect on these very real achievements when, in their desperation, they attempt to blame us for Tory cuts which are beyond our control”, adding:

“The fact is, we have protected the vulnerable and the sick, we have protected health, and we have defended the education of our children in the face of a massive attack by the British Conservative-led government.

“North and South, we have opposed austerity.

“In Government and in Opposition we have opposed austerity.

“Let me be very clear – Sinn Féin doesn’t do austerity.

“Others do austerity.

“We do equality.”

Welcoming the Londonderry Bands Forum to the Sinn Féin Ard Fheis, Martin McGuinness said:

“Putting your head above the parapet isn’t easy. In my leadership responsibilities, it is a priority. It is also difficult but it also challenges everyone in our society to recognise the importance of reconciliation. It is possible for people to retain their differing allegiances whilst working together in a spirit of generosity for the common good.”

Sinn Féin is the only party which is serious about building the kind of nation which was declared in 1916, the Sinn Féin leader said.

“A just nation. A fair nation. A nation that cherishes all of her children equally, regardless of colour or creed.

“That is what we stand for. That is what more and more people across this island are endorsing every day.

“This is an interesting, challenging and very exciting time to be an Irish republican. It’s okay to want and work for Irish reunification and economic and social justice.”