How a Political Outcast became a successful Political machine How a Political Outcast became a successful Political machine Don’t spell this wrong or you’ll be knee capped! Don’t spell this wrong or you’ll be knee capped!

INTRODUCTION Sinn Fein have in the last 15 years progressed from being a Political Pariah to the largest Nationalist Party in Northern Ireland Sinn Fein have in the last 15 years progressed from being a Political Pariah to the largest Nationalist Party in Northern Ireland

BASICS Sinn Fein means ‘Ourselves Alone’ and it has its roots in 1905 Sinn Fein means ‘Ourselves Alone’ and it has its roots in 1905 It is a REPUBLICAN party with a commitment to a United Ireland It is a REPUBLICAN party with a commitment to a United Ireland It also has a Socialist agenda with firm working class support It also has a Socialist agenda with firm working class support

Troubled History Sinn Fein was regarded as the Political mouthpiece of the IRA Sinn Fein was regarded as the Political mouthpiece of the IRA Its strategy throughout the Troubles was a policy of fighting for Power ‘…with an Armalite in one hand and Ballot box in the other.’ Its strategy throughout the Troubles was a policy of fighting for Power ‘…with an Armalite in one hand and Ballot box in the other.’

Troubled History However Sinn Fein struggled to win power outside of hard line Republican Ghettos. However Sinn Fein struggled to win power outside of hard line Republican Ghettos. It also suffered badly in the late 1980’s due to: It also suffered badly in the late 1980’s due to: IRA disasters such as the Poppy day bombing IRA disasters such as the Poppy day bombing A Government ban on broadcasting Sinn Fein. A Government ban on broadcasting Sinn Fein. A weariness of the Troubles A weariness of the Troubles

Towards Peace Gradually it worked towards a peaceful settlement Gradually it worked towards a peaceful settlement The ‘Downing Street Declaration’ provided a basis for negotiation with the British Government declaring ‘No selfish interest in Northern Ireland’ The ‘Downing Street Declaration’ provided a basis for negotiation with the British Government declaring ‘No selfish interest in Northern Ireland’ In 1994 the IRA declared a tentative ceasefire In 1994 the IRA declared a tentative ceasefire

GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT Despite breaking the ceasefire and a huge bomb at Canary wharf in London the first ceasefire was the start of a process leading to the GFA Despite breaking the ceasefire and a huge bomb at Canary wharf in London the first ceasefire was the start of a process leading to the GFA Sinn Fein had many demands BUT also a lot to negotiate Sinn Fein had many demands BUT also a lot to negotiate

A fairly elected Assembly with no danger of Majority rule A fairly elected Assembly with no danger of Majority rule Major Reform of the RUC Major Reform of the RUC Prisoner Releases Prisoner Releases A form of all Ireland Institution A form of all Ireland Institution A withdrawal of British soldiers A withdrawal of British soldiers A fairly elected Assembly elected using STV with checks & balances to prevent majority rule A fairly elected Assembly elected using STV with checks & balances to prevent majority rule RUC ---  PSNI RUC ---  PSNI Prisoners Released on licence Prisoners Released on licence All Ireland NSMC All Ireland NSMC Closing of bases and withdrawal of British soldiers Closing of bases and withdrawal of British soldiers

Since 1994 SF have polled remarkably. Since 1994 SF have polled remarkably. Today they are the dominant Nationalist party and one of the chief beneficiaries (with DUP) of Devolution Today they are the dominant Nationalist party and one of the chief beneficiaries (with DUP) of Devolution In 1992 SF had NO MP’s to 5 today In 1992 SF had NO MP’s to 5 today They have 4 Executive Ministers including Martin McGuinness the DFM They have 4 Executive Ministers including Martin McGuinness the DFM

SF have performed well due to a number of reasons: SF have performed well due to a number of reasons: They are now a legitimate political party with good working class roots but also now have wide Middle Class supportThey are now a legitimate political party with good working class roots but also now have wide Middle Class support The ceasefire was very popular and SF were brought into the wider political arenaThe ceasefire was very popular and SF were brought into the wider political arena They cleverly began to borrow the SDLP’s policies becoming a mainstream Nationalist voiceThey cleverly began to borrow the SDLP’s policies becoming a mainstream Nationalist voice

1.THEY HAVE BEEN LEGITIMISED Dedicating themselves to wholly peaceful means has been extremely popular. (esp. with Middle class voters)Dedicating themselves to wholly peaceful means has been extremely popular. (esp. with Middle class voters) This has made them a legitimate party to vote for.This has made them a legitimate party to vote for. They have been viewed as ‘Peacemakers’They have been viewed as ‘Peacemakers’ Initial fears about their radical policies or inexperience in office proved unfounded. They have proved accomplished and mature in office with a good relationship with DUPInitial fears about their radical policies or inexperience in office proved unfounded. They have proved accomplished and mature in office with a good relationship with DUP

2.THEY HAVE STRONG SUPPORT They have managed to hold on to core areas of support such as West Belfast BUT also gain ground in new areas such as Fermanagh / South Tyrone – West Tyrone etcThey have managed to hold on to core areas of support such as West Belfast BUT also gain ground in new areas such as Fermanagh / South Tyrone – West Tyrone etc They have a strong Youth voteThey have a strong Youth vote They have strong GRASS ROOTS – with good links to local communitiesThey have strong GRASS ROOTS – with good links to local communities SF work especially on local issues such as joy ridingSF work especially on local issues such as joy riding

3.THEY BENEFIT FROM UNIONIST DIVISION The dominance of the UUP has been destroyed since the GFA. The DUP has become very strong but Unionism faces weakness from a shredding of their vote between parties.The dominance of the UUP has been destroyed since the GFA. The DUP has become very strong but Unionism faces weakness from a shredding of their vote between parties.

4.THEY HAVE AN ALL IRELAND AGENDA Their all Ireland approach attracts many Nationalists.Their all Ireland approach attracts many Nationalists. They are only party to stand North and South of the borderThey are only party to stand North and South of the border Gerry Adams has left West Belfast seat to become TDGerry Adams has left West Belfast seat to become TD Martin McGuinness is aiming to become Irish President.Martin McGuinness is aiming to become Irish President.

5.ACHIEVEMENTS One of the biggest reasons is that SF appeared to achieve everything in the GFA. Their list of demands was met (in fact it was mostly to do with the SDLP)One of the biggest reasons is that SF appeared to achieve everything in the GFA. Their list of demands was met (in fact it was mostly to do with the SDLP)

6.SDLP DECLINE With the achievement of all SDLP demands in short time – it left them without a strong list of policiesWith the achievement of all SDLP demands in short time – it left them without a strong list of policies SF began to look like the dynamic voice of NationalismSF began to look like the dynamic voice of Nationalism

Danger from apathy – people believing they have become too much part of the old system. Danger from apathy – people believing they have become too much part of the old system. Danger from Personal issues – Gerry Adams has been under intense pressure over his brothers child abuse and how much Gerry knew. He is also accused of leading and knowing the whereabouts of the disappeared. Danger from Personal issues – Gerry Adams has been under intense pressure over his brothers child abuse and how much Gerry knew. He is also accused of leading and knowing the whereabouts of the disappeared.

Danger of SDLP resurgence Danger of SDLP resurgence Danger of voter apathy and anger at budget cuts Danger of voter apathy and anger at budget cuts Opposition from dissident Republicans Opposition from dissident Republicans Failure of campaign in ROI – Voters in the Republic are very wary of Northern Parties Failure of campaign in ROI – Voters in the Republic are very wary of Northern Parties