Picture by Democracy Chronicles
Whilst attending a debate on nationalism the issue of voter apathy arose. I have to admit to making the comment that for the first time in 18 years I spoilt my vote because not one politician had been at my door. A SF rep told me that was no excuse that not every door can be visited and there are many new methods of communication, we’re not in the 1950s after all. Yes he is right and I was wrong. He’s right just because someone doesn’t knock on my door looking a vote isn’t a reason for me not to vote. I was wrong because I made the mistake of not explaining my reasoning fully as that issue alone was not my sole reason for spoiling my vote. In my attempt to address a point made by another member of the audience and quickly comment on a few topics of discussion I didn’t fully explain my reasoning so I’d like to now. I had a number of reasons firstly I’m very much a disillusioned previous voter of SF and since I can remember advocated supporting them to family and friends but I’m sorry unless something drastic happens no more. Ignoring my discontent at making Stormont and the artificial state of ‘Northern Ireland’ work as they are trying to do I actually see no point in voting for them in a Westminster election when they refuse to take their seats, seriously how does that provide me with representation? Who are they trying to kid. Their handling of welfare reform is without doubt to influence voters in the South. How does that help me? As I said I now face the prospect of having to emigrate again for work as there are no jobs here in teaching for me due to their mishandling of the budget. O yeah blame the Brits for not giving enough money to keep people on the dole so you can portray yourselves as the anti austerity heroes to keep voters in the South happy. Just a thought but they’re not going to support you and as a Republican Party why keep running to the people you say we want rid of, for money and increase our economic dependency to them? How does that further a United Ireland? Due to my new postal address being in the South Antrim constituency and my understanding of political voting trends and figured in this area I knew tactical voting was out, I’ve in PR elections given SF first preference, SDLP second and other non unionists the rest of my choices to ensure the maximum opportunity for nationalist representation. Yet there was no point in that and no independent republican or otherwise to vote for so I spoilt my vote and make no apologies for saying ‘sorry none of you represent me’.
I did it in protest at a party I feel the two main Nationalist parties have forgot the voters and supporters and indeed the political system and parties are drifting further and further away from the people they claim to represent. Democracy is now becoming the illusion of choice to legitimise oligarchic rule. I like everyone have an obligation to ourselves and our general society to say no enough is enough. So the very least I could do was go down excerise my democratic right to vote but not for the political parties who say they’re my only choice. How interesting would it be for at the bottom of each ballet slip to be that famous Monty Brewster line ‘none of the above’! Arguably that would be one way to clearly show the people like myself don’t reject politics or democracy but in fact want new fresh relevant representation.
I have so much I could say on this issue but feel I do have to examine the point of no one being at my door. Am really wrong? Was he really 100% right?
In this modern era social media plays a massive role in the spread of information. And before the election I read every leaflet posted through my door, checked every social media aspect I could and yet still never got convinced I should vote for any of the candidates and whilst I accept they’re not going to get to every door or may have called while I was out I’m actually left pondering this question; was I voting for the specific candidate or the political party? Well if it’s the individual I understand they’ve a lot of demands during elections but think about it they’re asking us to vote to give them a job. How many highly paid and influential (or in fact any) jobs are given purely based on CVs or twitter or Facebook accounts and no face to face interview, even if done by Skype it’s still a candidate in person explaining why they should get the job. Do we as voters not deserve this? Heck nowadays all the leaders demand time on TV debates asking us to vote for their parties and their candidates giving us a public face or figure head to recognise. On this logic it’s clear It’s not the candidate but the party I was being asked to vote for and in this case yes I am right very right as is every other voter to expect some representative of the political parties to rap on our doors to discuss their policies, address our concerns, explain how their party will represent us. Every party has members and election workers as voters we should expect to see them at our doors and not just at elections.
Before the election I was at a discussion between a DUP MLA and sixth form pupils, it was extremely clear from their articulate arguments these young people where not apathetic about politics but the political system and choice of parties. When asked how he planned to get votes the reply was impressive. ‘The day after the election I will gather DUP youth members and go around houses introducing myself and asking people how I can help them’. His reasoning it got his face known, he learnt of the problems his constituents have and helped integrate the youth of his party into his work. He said in the past this is what Nationalist parties where good at engaging and politicising their youth, being active on the door steps. Funny how a Unionist learnt from what Nationalist parties used to do so well and now don’t, is this a reason why the Nationslist vote has declined. Have our political parties taken it for granted that we will just turn out?
I know people will say I’m wrong but maybe those people like me that are disillusioned with the Nationalist parties we once supported really want and need to see them engage with our concerns. Perhaps going around the doors like previous elections will help to address concerns in person and convince us the Nationalist political parties are worth voting for once more.
Jude, I am a Sinn Féin Councillor in Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough, could you please pass my contact to Seamus Óg. I would be happy to discuss the issues he raises directly with him. Many thanks.
Happy to do that, Michael.
Michael, as a SF representative, it would be interesting to hear your thoughts on the following points:
Have SF idenfitied / tried to identify the reasons for increased apathy amongst the Nationalist electorate?
How do SF aim to tackle this political apathy within the Nationalist electorate?
Like Seamus Og, I know quite a few people who have become ex SF voters for a variety of reasons – How do the party aim to reengage with these voters?
The 2015 GE result showed a 3.6% drop in Nationalist voting from the 2010 GE and the worst Nationalist voter turnout since 1992. The SF vote from 2015 to 2010 dropped 1%. In the 2015 GE, SF vote decreased in 15 of the 18 constituencies with the loss of 1 MP! There has been a 0.8% decrease in local elections and 0.5% decrease in European elections.This must be a concern for SF with Assembly Elections next year – the trend seems to illustrate that SF could potentially lose Assembly seats – 3 months after the GE, I would like to think SF are addressing this apathy / decline in support and asking why? and How do we go about rectifying this?
Séamus Óg, I’m sorry to hear that you felt the need to spoil your vote. I have one observation to make – you say “How does that further a United Ireland?”. Can I ask how spoiling your vote furthers it?
Thanks in advance.
Ceannaire thanks for that question, my decision was based on the fact nationalist politicians have no realistic chance of winning a Westminster seat in South Antrim, the election demographics go against such an event. Had it been a PR election maybe I’d have done it differently. Yet my aim in spoiling my vote as it was in writing this piece was to get nationalist parties to think about why people aren’t coming out in the numbers any more. I did take the time to go and use my democratic right to vote just not for them. My hope is by highlighting this issue and giving a perspective it will get nationalist parties to address the decline in nationalist voters and not merely see it as voter apathy. After all if we are to get a united Ireland they will need the voters on side and engaged, it will be better to start that process now than last minute.
Political nationalism is lazy at the minute, it’s as simple as that.
But before I get into that I have to take issue with “Ignoring my discontent at making Stormont and the artificial state of ‘Northern Ireland’ work as they are trying to do…” I find this attitude incredibly short sighted. It is absolutely, 100% in the best interests of nationalism to make Northern Ireland the best it can be for one simple reason – for a UI to happen a YES vote north AND south of the border is required. Few voters, if any, will vote to take on an economic, dysfunctional basketcase – and why should it? Would you blame them? Why should a new Ireland start at a disadvantage? What’s wrong with Northern Ireland learning to stand on it’s own 2 feet and becoming a net contributors in a new Ireland?
It’s the same as when people say “I don’t take part in British elections” as if it is something to be proud of. When I see people typing in forums like this I scream at the monitor that the majority, north and south of the border, voted for the GFA and in it lies the path that we agreed must be followed for a UI to happen. The SoS needs to be confident that a border poll would succeed and for that to happen they will no doubt be looking for conclusive evidence from elections results. Do the majority of voters vote for pro-UI parties? Do pro-UI parties form the majority at Stormont and local council level? If the answer to these (and others) is yes then there is a case for a border poll. Otherwise, as we all know in NI, every vote that is not for political nationalism is added to the pro union/status quo column.
I agree with what you say about SF not standing in Westminster. Although I seriously doubt the impact of any of our NI MPs, if the primary concern of SF was indeed the maximization of pro-agreement parties in Westminster then they should have stepped aside in every constituency for people who are willing to take their seats and take part in key votes which will have an impact here. SF aren’t willing to do it,I get that, but stand aside for those who are if it is in the interests of nationalism otherwise it leaves them open to accusations of only being interested in the expenses that come with the positions.
What political nationalism needs to do is make some sort of progress on the one issue which sets them apart from the parties, their desire for a UI. They need to show the electorate, people like you, that they are at least trying and that there is some sort of strategy other than erroneous ‘catholic = nationalist so hold tight.” They need to show that they are asking difficult questions and have something more to offer than the laughable Catalonia style mock border polls in highly partisan areas.
I have said several times in the past that the easiest thing they could do it ask the SoS what they need to see in order for them to conclude that a border poll would succeed. If elections results,which elections and what do they need to see? Plurality of council seats belonging to political nationalism? Plurality of assembly seats? If census results then do plurality/majority need to say they are Irish? If polls, are we talking NILT?
An answer would tell political nationalism where they are and where they need to be – at least then they can take steps in the right direction and maybe entice apathetic voters back into the fold.
That makes afair bit of sense to me , Morpheus.Nationalism needs to engage with facts and figures …not wooly romanticism or “us and them politics”.If it means engaging even with Westminster and arguing every point there, if needs be , it wouldn’t bother me .If republicanism had no bother taking the physical force argument right into the heart of lOndon back in the day …why do they not take their arguments onto the benches of Westminster? They need to convince economically, for one thing,….. because money talks.
Morpheus, interesting points you make. You state “It is absolutely, 100% in the best interests of nationalism to make Northern Ireland the best it can.” How can Nationalists do that? Correct me if I am wrong, but I am assuming you are alluding to the idea that Nationalists must make NI work? Can NI work? Would this not further the cause of the Unionist debate, if NI is working, why the need for a United (New) Ireland? Would this not lead to people accepting the status quo – the comfort factor? Why the chnage? Why the debate around the change? If something is working, keep it as it is – the Conservative mentality! If NI was prosperous, would the British Government be willing to let it go? I am not saying it is in the interests of Nationalists not to make NI work – what I am saying is, the idea of a New Ireland is surely based around the notion that “things could be better”?
Personally, I would not like my children to live somewhere that:
1. the nationalist leaders don’t want to succeed to ensure their electorate don’t get too comfortable and
2. the unionist leaders don’t want to succeed as a means of putting off the RoI electorate.
If both sets of leaders don’t want the place to succeed then what kind of life will everyone have?
I would like my children and their children to be part of a successful, productive country which both the RoI or the UK would be lucky to have when the people of Ireland have their say. Once the (extensive) economic barrier is removed it allows the people of Ireland to decide with their hearts and not be forced to decide based on their wallets. Once we know that we will not simply be a drain on a new Ireland from day 1 and can demonstrate that we will hit the ground running it makes the decision making process a lot easier.
Morpheus thanks for that. I’ve only recently heard the argument about making NI work. Whatever the merits / criticisms surely if that’s the plan or strategy it should be more widely shared by nationalist parties. Arguably as it stands saying Britain needs to give us more money shows we are increasing dependent on them and makes this political statelet even more so.
I agree with you on the British election point. My argument was I still voted but spoilt it to show my discontent and apathy with nationalist political parties more than the democratic process (which I also have issues with but that is another argument for another day). I totally agree SF should have stepped aside for those who will take their seats and represent us. In the course of the last Westminster election the nationalist parties seemed more concerned with attacking each other than maximizing the nationalist vote and representation, another factor for my issue with them.
I agree we need a clear blue print for a united Ireland. I voted against the agreement as I felt it cemented partition and would merely create a greater sense of equality for Catholics without actually delivering the real equality for both Catholics and Protestants I feel a United Ireland based on new systems and ideals would bring. Yet whilst I disagree with Stormont I have always up till the last election voted for a nationalist party when I could. It is important after all that we have representation in whatever political system exists.
The danger is people looking at demographic figures and taking it for granted all Catholics with vote for a United Ireland. It is vital that nationalist parties not only engage voters and tell us why they we should vote for them but also explain in clear detail why we should vote for a United Ireland and importantly what it will look like. If they make the economic and social case transparent not only will it ensure the catholic vote but may also gain Protestant votes as I’m sure they too are not merely apathetic with politics but disillusioned with their own parties and the current state of affairs.
Not sharing a strategy – if there is one that is – is why I feel so many are simply switching off. Those mock border polls got the publicity they deserved, zip. Nada. Zilch. On the other hand if it was determined that, for example, a SoS would call a border poll when the majority of seats in the assembly were nationalist then at least everyone would know and those who see nothing worth voting for suddenly find a purpose and re-engage. No doubt it will raise a few temperatures but it would spark open, honest debate about the type of Ireland we would like to see.
There can be no doubt that there isn’t real equality in NI just yet. Yes, the Orange state is gone, the UDR is gone, policing is accepted (for the most part) by everyone but to this day 16 of the 20 most socially deprived wards in NI are Catholic. But who is to blame for that so many years after the GFA? That takes me neatly back to the laziness of political nationalism – they can’t blame the state anymore.
As for a blue print for a new Ireland then i have long been an advocate of the guarantors of the GFA commissioning an independent organisation which will work hand in hand with state agencies (such as the HMRC) to come up with information on what a UI would look like so an informed electorate can make an informed decision. The electorate, north and south of the border need to know what the education will be like, what the health system will be like, what political presentation model will be used and so on. Only when we know information key to the decision making process can we make an informed decision on what is best for us all and our families. Political nationalism have made no such steps…there’s that laziness again.
I completely agree when you say “The danger is people looking at demographic figures and taking it for granted all Catholics with vote for a United Ireland” – which is why Gerry Kelly made an ass out of himself and the shinners in the last election. Catholic does not mean nationalist. Far from it. It was again, lazy.
Lazy, lazy lazy – and the nationalist people are letting their feet do the talking
peoples starting to see through the lies the gfa cant deliver a ui,a couple of jeeps painted a different colour made no difference,voters taken for granted is another part of it,
You are mistaken billy – Stand 1 of the GFA, schedule 1 in particular, states that a border poll can be called by the SoS “if at any time it appears likely to him that a majority of those voting would express a wish that Northern Ireland should cease to be part of the United Kingdom and form part of a united Ireland.”
Now that is extremely grey, creative ambiguity I think they called it. What would make a SoS confident that a border poll would succeed isn’t clear (the question still hasn’t even been asked by political nationalism which again points to the laziness) – but it is a path which we agreed in April 1998 that needs to be followed none the less.
So there is a path to delivering a UI, it’s just not very well signposted at the minute and political nationalism haven’t even asked how long the path is so they have no idea how far along they already are.
so there is a path to delivering a ui…the path led to a cul de sac and its there for the foreseeable future,
A couple of points: the MP (ex) for FST lost because 10000 anti abortion were distributed to catholics in the constituency advising them not to vote SF and the FreeState population were not asked to vote on the GFA.
Then what they did hold a referendum on? 56% of their electorate voted with 94% accepting the abolishment of articles 2 and 3 and the British Irish framework and proposals hence surely they too voted on accepting the GFA.
The electorate of RoI voted to approve the British-Irish Agreement and to facilitate the amendment of the Constitution of Ireland in accordance with the GFA. End result was that the people of Ireland decided, comprehensively, that the GFA was the way to go so the British and Irish governments agreed that the constitutional future of Ireland would be determined by the people of Ireland. All (and I say that tongue in cheek) that needs to happen is a Yes vote in NI and a Yes vote in RoI and hey presto, united/new Ireland. Is there a problem with that?
As for FST, do you really think what is said on the alter in mass still has an impact on the voting preferences of the electorate in this day and age? My thinking is that if they were anti-SF’s stance on abortion before mass then they were anti-SF’s stance on abortion after mass and vice versa.
I repeat. The Free State did not vote on the GFA but on a change in the Constitution of he Free State. The leaflets were delivered to catholic voters and had nothing to do with Mass or the alter (sic).
So you repeat what was written above, well done. What point are you trying to make?
Who distributed this leaflet and do you think anyone who was pro/anti abortion in selected circumstances changed their mind based on it?
So in South Antrim everyone knew it was going to be a close fight between the likeable liberal antique expert unionist who supports gay marriage and equality and a sectarian bigot who shared a platform with king rat and wanted the RAF to flatten Dundalk and Drogheda. Thank goodness enough nationalists in the area had some wit to USE their vote to get a result. I get it SF and SDLP are useless but you should still vote there is always a better/ least worst option! Similar daft logic is SF and SDLP voters not transferring to the other party to then allow the TUV to take the seat instead.
In my opinion there are a few irrelevancies here ,taking seats at Westminster is one , if that was effective why didn’t SDLP achieve anything when they were the majority nationalist vote catcher…..Westminster’s chambers are empty when this place is discussed. Border polls also fall into this category ,as they mean absolutely nothing ,a dhath ar bith , until we know we are in a voting majority…..they would only serve to antagonize and galvanize Unionism and God knows we have had our fill of that ! Arguing about the merits of voting is absurd , we fought long and hard to get that right ….why would one squander that ? Yes the Republican Movement needs to re-engage with the electorate , it’s a sentiment I’ve heard up and down the country.It needs to probe the British exchequer for a complete breakdown of money flowing to here ,but vitally from here and no procrastination or redaction…..all above board. It needs to begin seriously formulating plans for a UI……discussing novel ideas , involving all sections of the community ,debating what form this New Ireland will take , radical enough to inspire people to think….yes that would be a marvelous idea but not overly profound as to scare people away. Having debated and discussed with young and old ,throughout Ireland , I know there is a longing,a wanting for something new and positive and they want to be part of it.
How can a border poll be called an irrelevancy when this is the exact method agreed to bring about a united Ireland? it is extremely relevant if there is to be change in the constitutional status of Northern Ireland.
i too question the impact of NI MPs at Westminster but wouldn’t you agree that having a nationalist majority of the NI MPS would be another string on the bow when the SoS is assessing if a border poll would succeed or not?
I agree, the vote was hard fought for and it should not be squandered by simply not turning up to the ballot box. Spoiling the ballot so it is recorded sends a much stronger message of dissatisfaction than simply not turning up.
What you describe sounds perfect to me. An independent feasibility study to see if a UI is even possible, discussions/debates about what a new/united Ireland would look like in terms of key factors like health and education, the formulation of a concrete proposal and then giving the people of Ireland something tangible they can study and say say yes/no to from a position of knowledge instead of a position of ignorance.
No billy, it is not a cul-de-sac…it’s a merry-go-round and one that people can choose to get off at any time. Conversely they can choose to stay on.
Morpheus , I would be telling porkies if I said that I didn’t intend to ruffle a couple of feathers….all I wanted to do …..was , maybe , initiate a debate…….that’s how we will implement change…..as I said ,we need NEW ideas , new thoughts and new propositions to take us forward…A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step !