24 May 2001 Edition

Resize: A A A Print

Sinn Féin confident in Fermanagh/South Tyrone

The split in the unionist vote, the effectiveness of the republican representation at grass-roots and Council levels and a steady rise in the Sinn Féin vote has boosted the chances of Michelle Gildernew taking the saet vacated by Ulster Unionist Ken Maginnis.

This constituency, which takes in the largely rural south-western corner of the Six Counties, has always been deeply rooted in the republican tradition. Twenty years ago, Fermanagh/South Tyrone staged a revolution. With Bobby Sand's historic victory, republicanism awoke from the political shadows and redefined the face of Irish politics.

Twenty years after Sands victory, a quiet revolution is again at work. Republicans and nationalists across the constituency are waking up to the fact that they can again prove their strength by winning the symbolic seat. Sinn Féin's candidate, Michelle Gildernew, has never stood a better chance in what is described as one of the most eagerly contested battles of the Westminster election.

The last minute decision by Jim Dixon, the independent anti-Agreement unionist candidate, to reenter the race has bolstered Sinn Féin's chances. His decision has split the unionist vote in a constituency held by unionists because the DUP traditionally stood aside in favour of Maginnis, leaving Sinn Féin and the SDLP to cancel each other out.

``Sinn Féin is well ahead of the SDLP in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. I am the only nationalist candidate capable of winning the seat,'' says Michelle Gildernew. ``The reintroduction of Jim Dixon puts us in pole position.''

But the division within unionism is not the only Sinn Féin advantage. In recent years, the party has enjoyed a significant growth of support.

In the 1996 Forum elections, Sinn Féin re-emerged as the biggest nationalist party in the area, outpolling the SDLP by 1,300 votes. Since then the story has only been upwards.

This margin was increased the following year to over 2,000 votes in the local government elections.

In the 1997 Westminster election, Sinn Féin's Gerry McHugh polled 11,174 votes, narrowly defeating the SDLP's Tommy Gallagher. The DUP not having stood, Ken Maginnis won the seat with an overwhelming majority.

The 1998 Assembly election further confirmed Sinn Féin's unparalled growth. The party polled a total of 13,714 votes, outpolling the SDLP by nearly 3,000 votes and the UUP by 3,700.

The poll demonstrated another fact: the combined nationalist vote was almost 1,000 greater than that of the combined unionist tally.

In more recent times, during the Erne West by-election, Sinn Féin won 51% of the electorate and its total vote increased by 23%. On that occasion, the party's vote was three times that of the SDLP's.

The figures clearly show that, provided republicans and nationalists turn out and solidly rally behind Michelle Gildernew, years of unionist misrule can be ended.

Already, Sinn Féin activists and party strategists have been taken aback by the response they are getting. ``The response on the doorsteps has been overwhelming and many former SDLP voters have indicated that they will be voting for me this time round,'' says Michelle Gildernew. ``People are recognising that Sinn Féin has the structure, organisation and dedication necessary to bring about change.''

Michelle Gildernew


Michelle comes from a well-known republican family, centrally involved in the campaign against discrimination in the allocation of council housing at the outbreak of the Civil Rights campaign in 1968/69.

She is currently Sinn Féins representative on the Assembly's Social Development committee and has in that position argued for better housing provisions. She has also campaigned for economic investment in Fermanagh an South Tyrone.

Michelle, a member of Sinn Féin's negotiating team, has been the party's representative to London and was a member of the first Sinn Féin delegation to hold talks with the British Prime minister in Downing Street. She recently met with Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to raise the issues of demilitarisation and enhanced cross-border cooperation.

Tá sí ar an Ard Chomhairle leis na blianta.

Michelle is fully committed to the goal of a United Ireland which delivers real social and economic change. She is also committed to the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.

A party focused on change


On the road leading into the republican heartlands of South Tyrone and Fermanagh, Michelle Gildernew is omnipresent. On the posters and placards, her smile is one of confidence and determination.

But behind the scenes, the candidate is well aware of how much needs done to reverse years of unionist neglect and discrimination and put the constituency back on its feet. She is not alone. She works alongside a strong and united team of councillors, campaigners and activists.

Working hand in hand, they are the central ingredient of the party's ability to provide effective representation on all fronts.

Economic deprivation is top of Sinn Féin's agenda. Since 1998, approximately 1,100 jobs have been lost in the textile and service industry. Sinn Féin has increased pressure on DETI Minister Reg Empey and more importantly on his 26-County counterpart to redress this situation. The party is campaigning for investment in the small business sector, one in which the constituency has a solid track record of success.

``Sinn Féin has constantly forced these issues onto the agenda at the Assembly, pointing to the urgent need of rebalancing resources West of the Bann'', says Michelle Gildernew. Efforts to increase cross-border cooperation are also a priority, not least in the economic and health sectors, at a time when the hospitals in Fermanagh South Tyrone are under threat.

``The loss of hospital services would have a severe impact on the local economy,'' argues one of the activists. ``Future economic prosperity depends on provision of and access to acute care accident and emergency services.''

The economy has also in recent years been seriously damaged by the agricultural crises of BSE and then Foot and Mouth. Sinn Féin's Gerry McHugh was one of the rare politicians who challenged the Department of Agriculture's approach to the F&M crisis and made concrete proposals to alleviate the suffering of the farming and rural community.


An Phoblacht
44 Parnell Sq.
Dublin 1
Ireland