Sinn Féin launches Westminster election manifesto

IN CHOOSING The Hill of the O'Neills in Dungannon, County Tyrone, Sinn Féin not only became the first major political party in the North to launch an election manifesto outside of Belfast but in choosing a place associated with the O'Neill dynasty and Gaelic Ireland the party was highlighting the proud tradition of resistance to British rule in Ireland.

Indeed the Hill of the O'Neills dominates the area geographically and on a clear day it is possible to see the nine counties of Ulster such is the sites prominence.

It is no surprise therefore that the British army occupied the site during the recent conflict.

So with the Westminster electoral battle hotting up the battle for Fermanagh-South Tyrone is taking on more significance by the day.

Not only is the unionist coalition of the DUP, TUV, UKIP and PUP with the connivance of the British Conservatives rallying behind ex-UDR man Tom Elliot to unseat Michelle Gildernew and take the historically symbolic seat first won by Bobby Sands in 1981 but as a right-wing cabal supporting Tory austerity and opposing equality in all it's forms they are in reality attacking the most deprived and vulnerable in our society.

So for all the historical significance of the venue and the constituency the contest on May 7 is about today's reality and in the words of Martin McGuinness as he outlined Sinn Féin's key objectives

“This manifesto represents Sinn Féin's commitment to the electorate. It is our vow to continue to resist the disastrous agenda of Tory austerity in Ireland.

“It is our pledge to defend the most vulnerable, to protect public services and deliver a new and better future for this society.

“It is now clear that British governments, of whatever hue, will continue to impose austerity on our society.

“Sinn Féin is the only party in the North at this election firmly opposed to austerity and with a proven track record in negotiations.

“Following this election Sinn Féin will be seeking an immediate negotiation with the incoming British Government to secure a viable budget to deliver public services, return economic powers to promote growth, jobs and prosperity and protect those most in need.

“A new budget is required to end austerity and we need the fiscal powers necessary to determine our own economic policy, to stabilise the political institutions and build on the progress of the peace process.”

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