14 May 2009 Edition
Transfer to candidates of the Left, says Sinn Féin by-election candidate
Shaun Tracey said:
“The by-elections in Dublin, along with the local and European elections taking place throughout the state, provide a huge opportunity to deliver a hammer blow to the conservative politics that currently dominate the political arena. We must use these elections to help bring an end to the dominance of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael or tweedle dum and tweedle dee as they have aptly been described.”
He said it’s clear there is a lot of anger out there with Fianna Fáil and that party can expect a hammering at the polls. But he urged voters to look beyond Fine Gael as their alternative.
“There is very little between these two parties on policy terms. Switching allegiance to Fine Gael simply to punish Fianna Fáil will do nothing to address our economic crisis.
“Voters should not be star-struck by the entrance of George Lee into the contest. Rather they should look at the record of the party for which he has declared. I welcome George into the race but I am extremely disappointed that he has declared for Fine Gael, a party that offers no prospect of real change.
“Now is the time to for a left-wing alternative, an alternative that seeks to protect our most vulnerable citizens from the effects of the recession rather than targeting them to pay for it.
“Gerry Adams, in his speech to this year’s Sinn Féin Ard Fheis, proposed the formation of a political alternative of the Left, including Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, the trade union movement and community groups. Accordingly, I am asking voters for my party in Dublin South to transfer left to Labour and any left-wing Independents that declare to stand.”