‘Who Governs the North? An Early Election and People Before Profit’s Prospects’ by Donal Lavery

Given Mrs. Foster’s adamant willingness to portray herself as a new ‘Iron Lady’ in refusing to step aside, it seems as though an early election is on the horizon sooner rather than later. This whole fiasco has crippled many people’s faith in politics altogether, including the power-sharing institutions themselves. But we must always distribute blame where it is due and not make generalisations – the fact is, there exists a rotten core of dark forces at the heart of the DUP; who have shamed themselves with expediency in light of the Red Sky, Iris Robinson, MP’s Expenses and RHI episodes, among many other scandals.

I don’t doubt for one moment that there are decent people in the DUP – Jenny Palmer has my respect and both Jonathan Bell & David McIlveen deserve credit for the abuse they have highlighted. But we may need to undergo a process of creative destruction to weed out the corrupt and sinister elements within the political system we live under. I’ll explain what I mean throughout the article. The reason Mrs. Foster won’t step aside is because she probably suspects that any objective investigation or pragmatism could result in her political demise. That would establish a strong precedent which would enforce standards and ethics on the Unionist political class which they would subsequently have to live up to. They don’t want that because, from the inception of this state, an Orange aristocracy has governed according to the most rotten gut instincts and self-interest. The Peace Process has forced them to change somewhat, but the only guarantee that they will be held to account for their shady practices, and prosecuted if guilty, is a sovereign and independent Ireland – this brings me to my next point.

I won’t insult your intelligence by suggesting that Sinn Fein or any political party is perfect, they are after all human institutions and subject to human error. But it is the best and only vehicle which working class people have throughout the length and breadth of this island to comprehensively stand up for their interests. Labour talk of their links to the Trade Unions; Sinn Fein and republicanism is the Trade Union for the struggles and sweat of the whole of the Irish people. But change takes time and democracy isn’t perfect, as JFK once said.

Now it’s a sensible practice that those who fight the war or liberate a country, should negotiate directly with the occupying or enemy power. General De Gaulle did so in France and made something truly special out of that country with his critical mass of patriots. If you want to know what any politician or party will be like in Government then you’ve only to look and see who supports them and why. And also, who is against them and why.

I wouldn’t doubt for a moment that there are many decent people in People Before Profit who want to see fundamental root and branch changes of the economic system that has failed people across the globe.  It is a global problem after all and not just confined to Ireland. But the question is who and how you deliver it. Now I’ve written extensively about People Before Profit; I’ve researched them through to my finger-tips and listened to what they have to say. I’m impressed by the number of young people getting engaged in politics therein, but I will debate with anyone who is gullible enough to think that their policies and promises are even deliverable in an independent Ireland, let alone a power-sharing administration at Stormont; which has no sovereignty, no currency of its own and no central bank – to nationalise sections of the economy and redistribute wealth. That’s not a party political assertion, it is an economic FACT. They would be unable to do anything beyond that which is currently being done because as long as partition remains then the British Parliament will decide our spending priorities – FACT. Already, more money is spent in the North per head than anywhere in Scotland, England or Wales – so do you really think that a right wing Conservative Government is going to give Gerry Carroll and Eamonn McCann the massive sums of money they require to fulfil their manifesto promises and policies? It would be a redundant exercise even sending them there to negotiate on our behalf when the truth is they have no clout whatsoever over any Westminster Government.

This brings me on to my next point – the people who have most attacked me for writing about People Before Profit haven’t been party members themselves, no no, it has been hardline Unionists and Loyalists. You can view their comments accordingly. So we really must ask ourselves, what do the Loyalists and Unionists know about PBP that we don’t as of yet? I’ll tell you what it is – they know PBP have no proverbial b***s when it comes to securing demands off  the British or the Unionists. They know that PBP leaders haven’t fought any struggle at the coal-face, including by force of arms, to exercise any leverage over power-brokers. The only reason we have a peace process is because the republican campaign against British tyranny was costing the Westminster Exchequer far too much money (the destruction of Canary Wharf secured the negotiations). These are facts of history and human nature. When Irish men and women were fighting to rid this country of foreign domination, they were being attacked and ridiculed by the Eamonn McCanns of those days, in the ultra-left idealist groups and among the bourgeois liberals in South Dublin. If the Westminster Government had not imposed cuts on the North, McCann wouldn’t even have a seat – he was electorally rejected consistently throughout his life because people knew then that his message couldn’t and can’t be delivered upon.

The number of Sinn Fein MLAs you send to Stormont determines how many republicans will sit at the Executive table. It determines the representation YOU have in holding both the Unionists and the British Government to account, while securing the best possible deal for the people of the North until we have full control over the affairs of our country. That is the power-struggle which exists therein. Now I want to make a pitch and address directly the people of West Belfast – I’m staking my word and credibility on the fact-based analysis I’m telling you here and now. You, like many other communities, are suffering under the neo-liberal economic system that Britain imposes on Ireland. And here’s the solution for you;

When partition comes to a close and it will, and when a republican government is finally elected, the guarantee you have that they will deliver is the right to sack them at will if they don’t. I’ve no doubt that a future Sinn Fein Taoiseach will run deficits and increase public spending; They will intervene in the economy with public money to bring your living standards up to that of Scandinavia. They will act with ‘cojones’ to regulate the banks which destroyed this country. They will build houses across the length and breadth of this land to end the housing crisis. And they will be the party of ensuring FULL EMPLOYMENT, so you have the peace and quiet to live your own life. This isn’t going to happen tomorrow or with the outcome of one election to the Assembly, it is a continuous struggle between the forces of Left and Right, between truth and deception. But the number of republicans you send to Stormont adds to every chip we make in ending the Union between Britain and Ireland.

If the Unionists don’t stand aside for this investigation to take place, then the Shinners should collapse the arena which is keeping them in power. People on the ground need to know that their views and interests are being listened to and this cannot simply be business as usual if accountability doesn’t garner some Unionist resignations over this disaster. But if that election comes, sooner rather than later, then you won’t need to comment on this to query anything I’ve said, I’ll be on the election trail and particularly in West Belfast to get as many republicans elected as possible. I’ll be out knocking doors with other activists and addressing concerns from beyond just a keyboard. We need to hold rallies and events to large crowds and explain what the peace process needs to be taken forward, step by step, and take that argument directly to the British Government. And we need to show the world exactly who it is that represents the best interests of the people of Derry and West Belfast. So the question falls to you: Who do you want to be governed by?