24 May 2001 Edition
Sinn Féin - delivering equality, justice, peace
BY MICHAEL PIERSE
Sinn Féin will today (Thursday 24 May) launch its election manifesto for the Westminster and local elections, outlining the party's vision of an `Ireland of equals'.
With poll predictions of a significant increase in the party's electoral strength, Fermanagh/South Tyrone Westminster candidate Michelle Gildernew told An Phoblacht that Sinn Féin's message is focused on the issues that matter.
Gildernew criticised the SDLP for failing to highlight the issue of demilitarisation in their election literature. ``It's very clear from the literature of the SDLP that they don't have a problem with British occupation in Ireland,'' she said. ``After hundreds of years of oppression, 70 years of partition and the disastrous effects of British occupation, it seems that the SDLP aren't bothered at all by British imperialism.''
Gildernew said the Sinn Féin manifesto tackles many issues that have been ignored by other parties. ``We have been much more focused on the real issues - those that have an effect on people's lives - issues of equality and justice. Sinn Féin is the only all Ireland party; that is also a significant factor for voters.''
The Sinn Féin candidate, who is hotly tipped to become the first Irish woman MP since Countess Markievicz, said that feeling on the ground bodes well for Sinn Féin. ``There is going to be a big swing from the SDLP to Sinn Féin, not due to tactical voting, but because Sinn Féin is delivering in communities,'' she said.
Sinn Féin's number of councillors in Fermanagh will increase from six to nine, and from two to five or six in Tyrone, she predicted. ``Certainly there will be a high turnout and we have been getting the message to people that they must come out and vote. Traditionally there has been a high unionist turnout in this constituency.''
Sinn Féin is set to increase its vote in all 18 Westminster constituencies, according to party president Gerry Adams. ``A stronger Sinn Féin mandate in this election will strengthen the peace process and strengthen our ability in the June negotiations to secure a decent, civic policing service, real progess on demilitarisation and progress on implementing the Good Friday Agreement,'' he said.
Adams added that this election will be the ``most relevent'' election for the nationalist electorate in recent times. ``They can make history,'' he said.
``We aim to consolidate our successes in West Belfast and Mid Ulster and will take West Tyrone. We are seeking to build on this in as many constituencies as possible. There are other winnable seats in Fermanagh South Tyrone and North Belfast and from Newry & Armagh to Foyle, our vote is going to increase.''
Sinn Féin will today (Thursday 24 May) launch its election manifesto for the Westminster and local elections, outlining the party's vision of an `Ireland of equals'.
With poll predictions of a significant increase in the party's electoral strength, Fermanagh/South Tyrone Westminster candidate Michelle Gildernew told An Phoblacht that Sinn Féin's message is focused on the issues that matter.
Gildernew criticised the SDLP for failing to highlight the issue of demilitarisation in their election literature. ``It's very clear from the literature of the SDLP that they don't have a problem with British occupation in Ireland,'' she said. ``After hundreds of years of oppression, 70 years of partition and the disastrous effects of British occupation, it seems that the SDLP aren't bothered at all by British imperialism.''
Gildernew said the Sinn Féin manifesto tackles many issues that have been ignored by other parties. ``We have been much more focused on the real issues - those that have an effect on people's lives - issues of equality and justice. Sinn Féin is the only all Ireland party; that is also a significant factor for voters.''
The Sinn Féin candidate, who is hotly tipped to become the first Irish woman MP since Countess Markievicz, said that feeling on the ground bodes well for Sinn Féin. ``There is going to be a big swing from the SDLP to Sinn Féin, not due to tactical voting, but because Sinn Féin is delivering in communities,'' she said.
Sinn Féin's number of councillors in Fermanagh will increase from six to nine, and from two to five or six in Tyrone, she predicted. ``Certainly there will be a high turnout and we have been getting the message to people that they must come out and vote. Traditionally there has been a high unionist turnout in this constituency.''
Sinn Féin is set to increase its vote in all 18 Westminster constituencies, according to party president Gerry Adams. ``A stronger Sinn Féin mandate in this election will strengthen the peace process and strengthen our ability in the June negotiations to secure a decent, civic policing service, real progess on demilitarisation and progress on implementing the Good Friday Agreement,'' he said.
Adams added that this election will be the ``most relevent'' election for the nationalist electorate in recent times. ``They can make history,'' he said.
``We aim to consolidate our successes in West Belfast and Mid Ulster and will take West Tyrone. We are seeking to build on this in as many constituencies as possible. There are other winnable seats in Fermanagh South Tyrone and North Belfast and from Newry & Armagh to Foyle, our vote is going to increase.''